Chronographs

What is a chronograph watch?

Chronographs are watches with a stopwatch function, easily recognised by having two pushers either side of the crown, and two or three sub-dials on the watch face. One pusher is for starting and stopping the timer, and the other resets it. The two or three sub-dials record seconds, minutes and hours. The origins of the term are Greek, “chronos” = time, and “graphos” = to write, or record time.

Popular chronograph watches for sale in Australia

Breitling Navitimer: Top Gun

Breitling was the first watchmaker to actually patent a chronograph (1933) with separate start, stop and reset pushers. They perfected this in the form of the Breitling Navitimer, originally released in 1952. Developed with the input of pilots, it has becomes one of the most famous pilot’s watches, with the distinctive slide rule bezel its key feature. Uses the rock solid in-house B01 caliber.

OMEGA Speedmaster Professional: The Moonwatch

if you want a chrono with history, look no further than the venerable ‘Speedie’. Modern versions come with either a Hesalite crystal or stainless steel caseback and the modern caliber 1861 movement, or go for the METAS-certified OMEGA Co-Axial Master Chronometer Calibre 3861. If you want an original vintage ‘Ed White’ Speedie with the legendary 321 movement, be prepared to pay for it!

Rolex Daytona Cosmograph: The Ultimate Sports Watch

The Rolex Daytona Cosmograph is available in a number of versions, including stainless steel, gold, platinum, as well as a two-tone stainless steel/gold model. High demand for the stainless steel version means you will often pay less for the gold/stainless steel ref. 116523 – which makes no sense, as it is made from 18 karat yellow gold!

TAG Heuer Monaco: Square is cool

Modern versions of the now- iconic Monaco, including white, black and green dials – though the original blue with leather rally strap is the one we would want in our collection. There is also a Gulf branded model, from the brand’s association with Gulf Oil International, who used to sponsor motorsport in the 1960’s and 70’s.

Zenith El Primero: That High-Beat Movement!

Zenith’s El Primero (the first) movement was the world’s first automatic chronograph (1969), and also can claim the title for the world’s fastest beating – or high-beat – chronograph at 36,000 bph. It also has a distinctive design, with the Zenith star a sign you are wearing a true legend of horology.