Chronographs are among the most popular watch styles. Iconic models like the Rolex Daytona, Omega Speedmaster, TAG Heuer Carrera, and Breitling Navitimer are among the most famous and collectible watches of modern times, retaining their enduring appeal for generations of enthusiasts. However, if you're new to watches, you might wonder not only why these watches are so popular, but also what makes them so special. Chronographs are among the most popular men's watches, alongside dive watches and smartwatches. But what exactly is a chronograph? How does it work? Simply put, a chronograph is a watch with a stopwatch function. But it's much more than that. In this blog post, we'll explain.
When is a chronograph useful?
The first chronograph available to the public was a pocket watch designed for timing horse races. Chronograph functions were added to wristwatches in the early 20th century, allowing racers, pilots, and others to time themselves and others. Astronauts also used chronographs in the 1960s.
Even if you're not a professional chronograph user, this feature is incredibly useful. Runners can measure the time it takes them to cover a distance. For sprinters and swimmers, a chronograph makes it easy to track split times. Chronographs also have many other practical applications. For example, doctors use them to measure their heart rate (pulsometers), while divers use them to time their dives. Simply put, a chronograph is a watch with this stopwatch function, meaning it not only displays the current time but also measures elapsed time and displays it on the dial.
In 1913, Longines introduced the chronograph function to wristwatches, equipped with the Swiss manufacturer's 13.33Z movement. This watch had a single pusher and achieved an accuracy of ⅕ of a second. Two years later, in 1915, Gaston Breitling, president of Breitling and son of founder Leon Breitling, designed a chronograph watch with a separate push-piece for starting, stopping, and resetting. This push-piece was conveniently located at 2 o'clock on the side of the case, directly above the crown, and this design quickly became a standard feature on later chronographs.
The scale most commonly associated with Breitling pilot's chronographs—which debuted on the original Breitling Chronomat but is now standard on aviation chronographs (see image above)—is the circular slide rule. Based on a logarithmic instrument, it allowed pilots to perform crucial calculations to determine factors such as fuel consumption, flight distance, and an aircraft's rate of climb and descent. Essentially, it combines a moving scale on the bidirectional bezel with another fixed scale on the dial; The concentric scales for standard distance (STAT), kilometers (KM), and nautical miles (NAUT) are precisely aligned on the wrist, making conversions clear at a glance. Using a chronograph is therefore simple. Essentially, it's just a stopwatch, but combined with the tachymeter scale found on the bezel of many chronographs, your chronograph becomes a tool for measuring distance and speed.
Before cockpits became cluttered with electronic equipment, tachymeters were widely used by pilots, for example, to monitor remaining fuel to aid in flight distance. Military personnel also used tachymeters to calculate the distance to enemy artillery fire. For this reason, tachymeter scales are often found on pilot and military watches.
Which chronograph is right for me?
Many men choose a chronograph for its unique look. Whether sporty or classic, comfort and size are also important considerations.
If you plan to use a chronograph for timekeeping, be sure to determine the watch's specifications beforehand. For example, consider its maximum measuring capacity. Most traditional chronographs measure up to 24 hours, 60 minutes, and 60 seconds. Also, pay attention to whether the subdials are easy to read and the pushers are easy to use.
Other useful features include luminous markers so you can read the watch in the dark; water and shock resistance for underwater or outdoor use; and a tachometer for measuring distance and speed.
On our Chronographs page, you'll find all the chronographs in our collection. Need help choosing? Our replicamagic Store staff is ready to assist you. If you pre-select a few watches and specify home delivery when ordering, we'll reserve them for you so you can view and compare them at any time.