Chronograph watches

What is a chronograph watch?

Modern chronograph watches differ slightly from those from 1800, but the core function has remained the same. Simply put, chronograph is another word for stopwatch. However, modern chronograph watches have more functions, which makes them more interesting than the old-fashioned stopwatch.

First of all, most chronograph watches have three different dials, these show the measurement of time in hours, minutes and seconds. The placement and size of these dials varies from watch to watch, but you will usually see at least three dials. In addition, three buttons are always placed on the right side of the dial.

The crown on the right side can be found on every watch and is used to set the time. On a chronograph watch there are two extra buttons that function as the start and stop system for the stopwatch function.

With some chronographs you will also find additional functions, such as a tachymeter for measuring distance, a way to measure your heart rate and a date window.

Many people are used to always carrying a stopwatch with them thanks to their smartwatch, but until recently chronograph watches were essential for accurately measuring time at any time. A chronograph watch is actually a classic smartwatch.

How does a chronograph watch work?

All a watch really needs to be called a chronograph watch is a second hand that can move independently of the normal timekeeping function. If that second hand can be started, stopped and reset, then you have a chronograph watch.

The interior of a chronograph watch resembles that of a quartz movement, with one important difference. Chronographs have additional mechanisms within the movement to control the various functions and complications of the watch.

This is also the reason why chronograph watches are often more expensive than other watch movements. They have more moving parts, which makes it more difficult for a watchmaker to develop the watch in such a way that these parts can move properly next to each other.

Furthermore, a chronograph watch basically works the same as a quartz movement, namely by means of a battery that builds up tension on a main spring, which then slowly releases to move the gears and thus keep time. However, a chronograph watch has several of these types of systems in one watch. Usually there are two and sometimes even more.

How do you use this function? Just the way you want it. Military personnel used chronograph watches to keep track of the time of an artillery strike or to see how long it took to get from one place to another. You can use a chronograph watch for sports competitions, betting or just because you can.

Why buy a chronograph watch?

1. A chronograph watch has more functions

Each chronograph watch serves a specific purpose. This could be measuring your heart rate, calculating your average speed or keeping track of the time of two events at the same time. The nice thing is that despite all the complicated functions, these timepieces still do what a watch is most used for: accurately tell the time. Incorporating so many mechanical functions into a small space shows craftsmanship and often explains the slightly higher price tag. It also brings us to the next reason to purchase a chronograph watch.

2. Two watches for the price of one

Well, almost two watches, since a chronograph watch always has at least two functions, such as a watch and a stopwatch. Different timepieces have even more functions. For example, tachymeters are a commonly used addition to the watch and stopwatch functions.

In addition, it is interesting to see that chronographs are being produced at a faster pace due to scale, which reduces costs, but not performance. In 1800, only the Sun King could own a malfunctioning chronograph, but nowadays you can find a beautiful Seiko chronograph for less than 300 euros. This makes these luxurious mechanisms accessible to more people.

3. The complete watch experience

Why limit yourself to just reading the time? A luxury watch is often a purchase that you do not make every day. It is a wonderful gift for yourself or someone else. A mechanical watch like the Prospex SSC813P1 is already great to own and the pleasure is only increased by the various functions of the chronometer.

We also understand that while there are smartphone apps or smartwatches available that allow you to purchase the same features and monitor your heart rate throughout the day. But watch enthusiasts enjoy the fact that you can do this with just as much precision on a mechanical watch and that the indicators are set by turning knobs.

4. A chronograph is an iconic timepiece

The chronograph is an iconic timepiece, throughout history the most famous watches have always been chronograph watches. World-famous deep-sea diver Jacques Cousteau wore an Omega Seamaster Diver 300 during his diving trips, a watch considered one of the most beautiful diving watches ever made.

In addition, every watch enthusiast knows the Rolex Cosmograph Daytona, which will forever be associated with the legendary actor and driver Paul Newman. In 2017, the men's chronograph watch (the 1968 model) was sold at auction for no less than 17.75 million dollars. As mentioned, anyone who wants to own the same features today can do so for a different amount.

5. A feast for the eyes

The last and perhaps most important point for chronograph watches: they are a feast for the eyes. Seeing all the different buttons, casing and instruments can be confusing for people unfamiliar with watches. They often wonder how a chronograph watch works.

Of course it is nice to stimulate the curiosity of onlookers, as a buyer you know what is involved. This means that you, as the owner of such a timepiece, can enjoy these amazing timepieces even more. The performance, combined with contemporary designs, makes many chronograph watches true works of art.

History of chronograph watches?

The chronograph watch has been part of the watch world for a long time. The first recorded chronograph was invented in 1816 by a Frenchman named Louis Moinet. The watch was developed for astrology, because it could measure time more precisely than watches of that time, namely to one sixtieth of a second.

However, the first chronograph watch was not available to the general public, the first commercial model was introduced a few years later - in 1821.

Nicolas Mathieu Rieussec, a watchmaker for King Louis XVIII, perfected the concept by using two different dials. The king was keen to time the horse races, so Rieussec's watch used the timepiece's power reserve to move a needle around the other dial, which was covered in ink, so it could indicate the elapsed time.

Reading this back you immediately see that this was not the most practical solution, so in the mid-eighteenth century new techniques were invented to develop a chronograph that worked without ink. At this time, chronographs only functioned as stopwatches. This was already a true revolution.

Before the invention of the chronograph, it was impossible to measure time so precisely. Runners could now determine exactly how long their laps lasted, allowing them to run increasingly faster times. The chronograph was also widely used in the military.

At the beginning of the twentieth century we see the first wristwatches with a built-in chronograph function. Breitling was one of the first watch manufacturers to install a separate stopwatch function on the side of the watch to control the chronograph hand.

Nowadays there are many different suppliers of chronograph watches with beautiful and affordable models. Below is an explanation of a few of our current favorite chronograph watches.

Our favorite chronograph watches

We have various chronograph watches in our collections. If you are looking for an affordable, high-quality model, you can take a look at the Seiko SSB323P1.

This is a nice gift to receive or to give away. Don't be fooled by the price, this watch comes with the same quality that you have come to expect from Seiko for fifty years.

In addition, Seiko has released several new chronograph models this year with a smaller case, a mechanical movement and sapphire glass. These fall into a slightly higher segment, but are more than worth the price. You can start with the Prospex SSC813P1 .

There are of course also several other brands in our collection that develop high-quality chronograph movements. In the Swiss Military collection you will find beautiful Swiss Made timepieces with chrono functions in different price ranges. For example the

Swiss military SMWGI2100701

We hope you enjoy your search for a nice chronograph watch. If you have any questions after reading this article, please contact our customer service. We have forty years of experience as a jeweler and are happy to help you find the right timepiece.