When browsing for watches to add to your collection, you might encounter the term “chronograph”. What is the chronograph? What does it mean if a watch has a chronograph function?
After knowing what the chronograph is, you might end up choosing a chronograph watch. Let’s get to know the watch chronograph!
What is a Chronograph?
Chronograph is an additional feature that is purposefully installed in a watch engine. To understand what the watch chronograph is, we need to analyse it from an etymological point of view. Chronograph comes from two Greek words: chronos, which means “time”, and graph, which means “to write”. Thus, etymologically, chronograph can be interpreted as “writer of time”.
The chronograph can measure duration of time in seconds, minutes, or hours. Does that ring a bell? Yes, this feature can also be found in stopwatches. Chronograph is in fact another term for stopwatch.
The chronograph watch was first discovered by a French man named Louis Monet in 1816. However, it was not sold until 1821 when it was introduced to the public for the first time. Another French man, Nicolas Rieussec, emulated Monet’s concept in a watch that he crafted for King Louis XVIII. During that period, the King needed a way to measure time in a horse race. That’s why the chronograph watch was often used in horse races at that time.
What are the characteristics of a chronograph watch?
The chronograph watch has a unique design that allows you to easily spot it at first sight. First, a chronograph watch always has two subdials. Subdials are small circles located inside the watch’s main dial. When the chronograph function is active, one of the subdials, called the “Chronograph Minute Hand”, works to show the minutes while the other, the “Chronograph Hour Hand”, shows the hour.
Meanwhile, chronograph watches with 3 subdials has an extra subdial called the Watch’s Second Hand. This subdial is not part of the chronograph feature, but a replacement for the second hand. How does it work? Unlike the long hand in the main dial that keeps moving to show the seconds, the long hand in chronograph watches will stop at 12 and start moving only when you activate the chronograph function. Seconds are shown on the second subdial instead.
Apart from the subdial, chronograph watches also come with two extra pushers or buttons on the sides of their case, next to the crown.
What makes a chronograph watch so special?
After knowing what the chronograph is, let’s learn about what makes it so special. Why do people seek after chronograph watches so much? Here are two of the best reasons!
1. Special function that combines two watches
From a functional point of view, the chronograph watch is crafted for those of you that need to tell time in your professional or daily lives. If you are an athlete, doctor, pilot, or soldier, you will enjoy the benefits of chronograph watches to the fullest. However, chronograph watches are equally helpful for daily activities such as cooking, baking, or working out.
The chronograph watch also comes with other features besides stopwatch. Some multi-scale chronographs have telemetric, pulsometric, and tachymetric functions, which are shown as numerical scales around the sides of the dial to measure average speed.
2. Luxurious and versatile design for your every look
Design-wise, the chronograph watch speaks its own “character”. The buttons on the case sides and two or three subdials that give it an extra chronograph function makes such a watch not only look luxurious, but also futuristic. Its thicker case brings out a sporty and masculine vibe to those who wear it.
The chronograph watch is a reliable accessory to elevate your look for various occasions, from formal to casual. No wonder people of all ages and backgrounds admire this type of watch!
How to use the chronograph watch?
Although it may seem complicated, you can use a chronograph watch just fine. To start the chronograph, all you need to do is press the pusher on top, which is usually located on 2. This will start the time measurement. Make sure the hands are moving during this process. To stop the chronograph, simply press the same pusher. To reset, press the bottom pusher, which can be found on 4.
Does Luxehouze have some recommendations for chronograph watches?
Definitely! Here are some chronograph watches from Luxehouze’s website that you should pick up.
1. Rolex Cosmograph Daytona
First introduced in 1963, Rolex Cosmograph Daytona is designed especially for professional racers. This series is considered one of Rolex’s most iconic and popular ones, lasting over 50 years since it was launched.
Luxehouze has several Rolex Cosmograph Daytona timepieces: Cosmograph Daytona 40 116500LN Black, Cosmograph Daytona 40 116518LN Paul Newman, Cosmograph Daytona 116515LN Black Diamonds, and Cosmograph Daytona 116598 Yellow Gold Rainbow. Browse the full Rolex collection here!
2. Omega Speedmaster
For those of you who are more inclined towards Omega, you can find some chronograph selections from the Speedmaster series. This series is one of Omega’s best, due to its performance and design.
Luxehouze currently holds the following Omega Speedmaster selections: Speedmaster Calibre 321 31130403001001, Speedmaster Moonwatch 31030425001001 Black Dial, and Speedmaster Chronoscope 43 32930435102001 Silver. Browse the full Omega collection here!
3. Patek Philippe Complications
Just like its name implies, Patek Philippe offers something different from this series: “complications”, one of them being the chronograph function that can be found in all watches from this series. This “complication” ends up making this series one of the most loved from Patek Philippe.
You can find the following timepieces from Patek Philippe Complications from Luxehouze: Grand Complications 41 5370P and Complications 39.5 5930G Singapore Edition. Browse more from Patek Philippe here!
4. Audemars Piguet Royal Oak
Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore 43 26420RO Black
Audemars Piguet also has some chronograph watches from its Royal Oak series. These Audemars Piguet chronograph watches are widely admired due to its sporty and masculine design which is reminiscent of the Royal Oak series.
Luxehouze currently has the following Audemars Piguet Royak Oak chronograph watches: Royal Oak Offshore 42 26470SO Vampire, Royal Oak Offshore 43 26420RO Black, Royal Oak Offshore 43 26420TI Blue, and Royal Oak Offshore 43 26420IO Grey. See the full Audemars Piguet collection here!
5. Hublot Big Bang Unico
The Big Bang series is one of Hublot’s flagship models. Under the Unico subline, Hublot launched some chronograph watches with an aesthetic and iconic design.
Here are some watches from the Hublot Big Bang Unico at Luxehouze: Big Bang Unico 42 441.NX.5171.RX Blue, Big Bang Unico 42 441.NL.5171.RX, Big Bang Unico 42 441.NM.1171.RX, and Big Bang Unico 42 441.HX.1171.RX. Discover the full Hublot range here!
Curious to find more chronograph watches? Check out Luxehouze’s collection!
