What is a chronograph?

When die-hard watch fans see sub-dials and pushers on a watch, they know immediately that they are dealing with a so-called chronograph. Newcomers to the field of timepieces, on the other hand, often have little idea what the term "chronograph" means. This article answers the most important and frequently asked questions about watches of this type and explains, among other things, the function and mechanism of a chronograph.

What exactly is a chronograph?

A chronograph is a time recorder, i.e. a tool for stopping time and thus measuring a period of time. In colloquial terms, you could simply say stopwatch - right? Not quite: The chronograph does not "just" have a stop function, but also functions as a "normal" watch for reading the time. This is exactly what distinguishes it from the conventional stopwatch.

The stopwatch function is the classic chronograph complication. In addition, many chronograph models display the date, and some also have a tachymeter scale for measuring speed. The telemeter scale is also a less common chronograph complication. This can be used to calculate distances.

How the time measurement and stopwatch function work

From a purely external perspective, auxiliary dials and two pushers give chronographs their function. The pushers on the case are used to start, stop and reset the stopwatch hand to its original position. Starting and stopping is usually done using the pusher at 2 o'clock, and resetting is done by pressing the pusher at 4 o'clock. The auxiliary dials, also known as totalizers, which are essential for analogue watches with a chronograph function, are usually found in the lower part of the dial. They allow the stopped time to be displayed in seconds, minutes and hours.

Building a chronograph mechanism is extremely complex. A number of small parts have to work together precisely so that starting, stopping and resetting to zero all work perfectly. It is therefore a complication whose complexity should not be underestimated.

By the way: If the stopwatch function is not needed at the moment, it should be left switched off. If the hour, minute and second hands run continuously, this puts a strain on the mechanism in the long term and the components wear out faster.

Distinction between quartz and mechanical chronographs

The biggest difference between a quartz watch and a mechanical watch lies inside the timepiece. The mechanical watch has a mechanical movement with a spring to store energy, while the quartz watch is powered by a battery. Mechanical watches can also be divided into hand-wound and automatic watches. Hand-wound products have to be wound manually from time to time using the crown, while automatic timepieces wind themselves using the movement that occurs when the watch is worn. The latter only happens, of course, when the watch is actually worn and is in motion. If it is simply stored lying down, the practical use of the automatic mechanism is lost.

Both the chronograph with quartz movement and the automatic models and the mechanical variants have their individual advantages and disadvantages. Often the decision between the options is not only a question of taste, but also of budget. As a rule, quartz watches are significantly cheaper than wristwatches with mechanical movements.

Main features of a chronograph

At this point, we will take a closer look at the features that make up a chronograph and see how you can recognize watches with a stopwatch function at first glance:

Additional dials and displays

When looking at a chronograph wristwatch, the additional dials with hands immediately catch your eye. There are usually two or even three additional dials on the large dial. These are much smaller, often arranged symmetrically next to or below each other, and are also known as totalizers. Each dial serves a specific purpose: while the seconds are usually stopped with the central second hand, one of the totalizers shows the running seconds of the time. The stopped minutes are counted on another small dial, and a third dial can show the stopped hours.

If a chronograph is only equipped with two totalizers, these are usually a small second and a minute stop hand. Stopping the time with this is "only" possible for up to one hour. Only with the third sub-dial is it possible to accurately measure a period of time of several hours.

Controls of a chronograph

As already briefly described, a chronograph is operated using pushers. These are located on the outside of the case and can therefore be easily operated at any time. The two elements, which - apart from their placement - usually have little or no visual difference, serve different purposes. One of the pushers is used to start and stop, and the second pusher makes it possible to reset the hands to zero.

By the way: The chronograph is surprisingly often confused with the chronometer. But they are two completely different things. Chronometers are watches that have been awarded for their particularly high accuracy. The term "chronometer" therefore says nothing at all about whether the watch has a stop function - it is only about the precision with which the time is displayed. Nevertheless, a chronometer can of course be equipped with one or other additional function. In principle, a chronometer can also be a chronograph at the same time.

Different types of chronographs

Today we know chronographs in different designs, which are described below:

Monopulsante

A so-called single-pusher or monopusher chronograph has - as the name suggests - only one pusher instead of two. Stopping, starting and resetting to zero are all done using one and the same control element. This has the disadvantage that it is not possible to interrupt and later continue a time measurement.

Foudroyante

A special feature is the chronograph with seconde foudroyante. Such watches come with an additional sub-dial whose hand completes a full rotation per second. This sought-after extra means that fractions of a second can literally be stopped.

Rattrapante

The rattrapante chronograph, also known as a split-second chronograph, has a second second hand "in tow". The split-second hand can be disconnected at any time during the stopwatch process, which means that the times of two runners can be measured simultaneously, for example.

fly-back

A flyback chronograph is particularly comfortable to use. Thanks to the flyback function, a single press of the pusher is enough to make the hands "fly" back to zero. In contrast, with chronographs without this mechanism, you have to press the pusher three times to achieve the same result.

Popular chronograph brands and models

The good news for anyone who wants to buy a chronograph for themselves is that there are quite a few brands that have watches with a stopwatch function for men and women in their range. No wonder, after all, the chronograph is enjoying great popularity.

You can find what you are looking for at Tag Heuer, for example. The Carrera Chronograph with date display has three totalizers and the classic two pushers. The deep black dial, the hands with luminous material and the elegantly curved sapphire crystal give the watch an extremely sporty appearance, which is ideally rounded off by the stainless steel case. Inside the Carrera Chronograph luxury watches from Tag Heuer ticks a caliber TH20-00 movement, which impresses the wearer with its absolute reliability.

Rolex also offers wristwatches with a chronograph function. The most notable of these is the legendary Rolex Daytona Chronograph. Equipped with an Oyster case, three sub-dials and a tachymeter scale, the Rolex Daytona is highly functional and puts its wearer in the middle of the racetrack, at least emotionally. The chronograph wristwatch, which was once made a real icon by its famous wearer Paul Newman, manages the balancing act between sportiness and elegance with flying colors and is high on the wish list of many collectors.

Not to be forgotten: The Omega Speedmaster Chronograph . This watch has long since achieved legendary status. With its slim design, tachymeter scale, luminous color on the hands and indices and the two sub-dials harmoniously integrated into the overall picture, this sporty chronograph immediately catches the eye. Whether with a black dial and leather strap or a metal strap and a rich red dial: the Omega model is an eye-catcher that has everything that makes a modern chronograph a highlight.

At IWC, the Pilot's Watch is one of the brand's absolute top chronographs. The elegant pilot's watch is something very special for many collectors, not least because of the complication combination of small seconds, date display and hour, minute and second stop. The classically shaped hands and stop hands, the large numerals and the striking indices combine to create the image of an extremely authentic, luxurious wristwatch that is second to none.

Of course, you can buy stylish chronographs for men and women from numerous other manufacturers. These include Vacheron Constantin , Patek Philippe , Breitling and Union Glashütte, among others.

Practical application and selection of a chronograph

If you want a watch that not only reliably shows the time but also has a practical stopwatch function, there is no way around a chronograph. When choosing a model, it is important to first be aware of your personal expectations and ideas. You should therefore think carefully about which other complications you want, which look you prefer and where the limits of your budget lie.

Since a chronograph is an extremely complex watch, it is by no means a "bargain". If you want to own a high-quality, functional model, you have to be prepared to invest a certain amount. But many watch lovers do not regret this investment: Even if the purely practical use of a chronograph is limited in everyday life for most people, these special watches exert a great fascination on collectors and watch fans simply because of the technical masterpiece they represent.

Conclusion on the Chronograph

Whether with one or two pushers, two or three sub-dials, simple and elegant or extravagant and eye-catching: As a watch with an extremely complex complication, the chronograph is a piece of jewelry that immediately captivates every watch fan. The timepieces enjoy the reputation of being timeless, technically sophisticated symbols of the highest watchmaking art and are a valuable addition to any collection.