In a time when many of us rely on smartphones to help us tell the time, a basic wristwatch can go unnoticed. But with so many sophisticated and multifunctional designs out there, ignoring the designer watch market would be a real shame. If you're searching for the kind of timepiece guaranteed to stand the test of time, invest in a men's chronograph watch.
With bonus functions not found in traditional types of timepieces, the best chronograph watches are more than wrist adornments—they're helpful tools that combine craftsmanship, practicality, and style. Learn about what makes these fascinating models tick and browse our selection of the best chronograph watches to find your favorite design today.
What is a Chronograph Watch?
Chronograph watches have an integrated stopwatch function that can be controlled by the wearer to measure and record elapsed time. This helpful feature is in addition to the normal time-felling ability. Remembering that the word itself is made of Greek root words (chronos, meaning time, and graph, meaning writer) is an easy way to recall exactly what sets a chronograph apart from other types of wrist watches.
Chronographs vs. Chronometers
Before you shop for different types of wristwatches, it's vital that you understand the difference between chronometers and chronographs. Chronometers refer to any watch or clock that accurately keeps time. Chronographs describe clocks and watches that have the ability to record and track different intervals of time. These terms are not mutually exclusive—some of the best chronographs can also be categorized as chronometers if they meet the right criteria.
When Was the Men's Chronograph Watch Invented?
Though chronograph-type watches are commonplace these days, this wasn't always the case. The first chronograph pocket watch was invented in 1816 by French horologist Louis Moinet. Designed to be used in astronomy, this model offered ultra-precise timings, down to 1/60th of a second.
A couple of years later, in 1821, Nicolas Mathieu Rieussec, a watchmaker under the reign of King Louis XVIII, took the concept one step further to fulfil the request of designing something that could measure the length of a horse race. His design featured two distinct watch faces, using the energy from one dial to push a needle on the other. That needle would then drop ink on the dial to mark the elapsed time. While brilliant for the time, this approach came with its limitations.
When wristwatches replaced pocket watches as the popular timekeeping accessory in the early 1910s, brands felt the pressure to release chronograph-type wrist watches. The very first design was made by Longines in 1913, with renowned companies such as Breitling, Seiko, and Rolex not far behind.
Modern Day Brands Known for Crafting the Best Chronograph Watches:
A Closer Look at 5 Popular Chronograph Functions and Features
More contemporary men's chronograph watches may look a bit different from models made in the past, but the idea remains the same. The best chronographs have these built-in watch functions and features:
1. Stopwatch
The stopwatch feature is what draws so many to modern-day men's chronograph watches. Though chronographs can be worn as regular timepieces, they're the only type of wristwatch that allows you to track how much time is passing. Between timing races, cooking, and beyond, this function comes in handy more than you think!
2. Multiple Dials and Sub-Dials
While your traditional timepiece has one main dial, chronograph types of watches have three or more! The main dial makes up the majority of the watch's face and serves the same purpose as the dial of a regular wristwatch—displaying the current time. The best chronograph watches have two or three smaller, secondary dials that help the wearer track elapsed time, including a second dial, a minute dial, and sometimes an hour dial.
3. Start and Stop Pushers
The pushers are the buttons on the side of the case that operate the stopwatch chronograph function. There are typically two—one located on the very top that starts the timer and another at the very bottom that acts as a reset, returning the hands to their zero position when pressed.
4. Tachymeter
Some types of chronograph watches feature a scale printed on the bezel—this is known as the tachymeter. When used in conjunction with a chronograph stopwatch, it can measure speed based on how long it takes to travel a known distance. This chronograph function is most often applied in motorsports or aviation—but it can become handy in a myriad of circumstances!
How to Read the Tachymeter on a Men's Chronograph Watch:
- Step 1: Start the chronograph with the second hand at the 12 o'clock position when you or the object you're tracking passes the starting point.
- Step 2: Stop the chronograph when you or the object reaches the endpoint.
- Step 3: Look at where the second hand stops along the tachymeter scale. This number indicates the speed in distance units per hour.
5. Telemeter
Certain types of chronograph watches have a telemeter as well as, or instead of, a tachymeter. This function helps you measure the distance to an event or phenomenon that can be both seen and heard, such as a lightning strike or firework show.
When you see a visual cue, start the stopwatch! When the auditory aftermath hits, stop it. The second hand will be pointing to the correct distance on a specialized scale along the watch's dial. When you buy a men's chronograph watch with a telemeter, make sure you know which unit of measurement it uses—miles or kilometers.
What Type of Movement Does a Men's Chronographic Watch Use?
Chronograph watches can use any type of movement, though each has its own benefit. Enthusiasts tend to prefer mechanical movements, either automatic or manual, due to their intricate engineering and high-quality craftsmanship. If you prefer a battery-powered quartz movement, you're in luck—there are plenty of more affordable chronograph options in that category as well.
The internal workings of the chronograph mechanism can either be integrated or modular with the movement. Integrated chronograph systems are built directly into the base movement early on during manufacturing, resulting in a thinner profile and high precision. Modular chronograph modules are separate and are attached later on in the process, allowing for a more affordable design.
What Are the Best Chronographic Watches Used For?
A chronograph-type wristwatch can be used at any event or activity that requires precise timing, including:
- Racing
- Swimming
- Running
- Checking pulses and heartbeats
- Cooking
- Baking
- Performing scientific experiments
When Can You Wear a Men's Chronograph Watch?
Good news—men's chronograph watches can be worn for just about any occasion. With a sporty heritage, functional stopwatch feature, and elegant aesthetics, chronograph-type wristwatches work best for casual and business attire, with experts recommending you switch your model out for a dressier luxury watch for more formal occasions. With countless designs to choose from, you're sure to find one that suits your style.
Understanding the Different Types of Chronograph Watches
It's important to remember that while all chronograph watches boast the same stopwatch function, they offer varying levels of complexity and time-measuring capabilities. Discover the best chronograph watch for you and your needs on this helpful list:
The Standard Chronograph Watch
As far as types of chronograph wristwatches go, the standard is the most basic model available. These designs typically include two push buttons on either side of the crown and a simple sub-dial to help you track a time from start to finish.
The timekeeping hands will remain motionless at 12 o'clock until you start the stopwatch. If you're new to men's chronograph watches, a standard model like the OMEGA Speedmaster never fails to impress.
The Pulsometer Chronograph Watch
A pulsometer is a specialized type of chronograph wristwatch that features a special scale along the dial or bezel to help you measure your heart rate or pulse. To use, simply start the chronograph's seconds hand and count a set number of heartbeats. When you count the last heartbeat, stop the chronograph and use the scale to determine the beats per minute. These can be especially helpful presents for anyone with health problems or anxiety.
The Monopusher Chronograph Watch
While most types of chronograph wristwatches have two buttons, a monopusher has only one. Though some collectors prefer the cleaner aesthetic, others focus only on the downside: since all functions are controlled by a single pusher, you cannot restart a lap; it can only be reset, as the hand will always return to zero on the third press. These designs, though once popular, are now in the minority amongst horology lovers.
The Flyback Chronograph Watch
It's impossible to shop for the best chronograph watch without hearing about the flyback—but what is it? As far as the pusher and dial layout, a flyback chronograph watch looks the most similar to a standard chronograph watch.
However, when you press the pusher a single time on a flyback (instead of the normal three found in a standard), the hands immediately reset to zero—an action that is extremely helpful if recording events with multiple laps. These designs leave no room for error, making them the perfect men's chronograph watch for anyone traveling and tracking at high speeds, such as a pilot.
The Split-Second Chronograph Watch
The split-second watch, or the rattrapante (meaning "to catch up" in French), is the most sophisticated type of chronograph wristwatch. Designed to allow you to time two events simultaneously, split-second chronograph watches are typically more expensive, costing tens of thousands of dollars at times.
These models feature a third, bonus pusher that is found on the opposite side of the case from the other two at the 10 o'clock case position and controls the split-second function. They also have a second chronograph hand that is tucked underneath the main one, completely invisible until it is in use.
The Laptimer Chronograph Watch
If you were to ask a longtime collector which is the "best" chronograph watch, there's a good chance they would reference the world's first laptimer design. This type of chronograph wristwatch elevates the concept of a split-second model.
When you press the third bonus pusher, two things happen. One of the second hands will completely stop, allowing you to take note of the completed lap time, while the other second hand resets to zero and immediately restarts, enabling you to start timing the second lap with no delay.
A Closer Look at Some of Our Favorite Men's Chronograph Watches
With so many men's chronograph watches to choose from, narrowing down your favorites feels downright impossible. But, if you're looking for a few recommendations, consider these designs a must-see when shopping:
TAG Heuer Formula 1 Chronograph Watch
Embody the fearless spirit of Max Verstappen with a TAG Heuer Formula 1 Chronograph Watch! Designed with a durable titanium case and dynamic rubber strap, this type of chronograph wristwatch was built for speed on and off the track. This stopwatch can track seconds, minutes, and hours, and features a date display, tachymeter scale, and a dedicated sub-register that displays time in 1/10th second increments.
Breitling Navitimer B01 Chronograph Watch
The Breitling Navitimer is a world-famous men's chronograph watch model, and with multiple iterations on the market, it's hard to choose a favorite! With a brown alligator leather strap, bright red gold case, and ivory dial, the Breitling Navitimer B01 Chronograph Watch offers the perfect blend of vintage style and modern design. In addition to the normal timekeeping functions, this chronograph watch features three subdials and a bidirectional slide rule to help the wearer calculate flight speed, distance, fuel consumption, and unit conversion.
Santos De Cartier Chronograph Watch
As the very first wristwatch ever made, the original Cartier Santos watch is a historically important design—and the chronograph version only adds to its legacy. Boasting a beautiful steel and gold mixed-metal aesthetic and a soft square-shaped case, the Santos De Cartier Chronographic Watch is the epitome of elegance. This standard design can track elapsed times in seconds, minutes, and hours.
There's no time to waste! If you're feeling inspired by the rich history of chronograph watches, take it as a sign to look for a model of your own. With a deeper understanding of chronograph functions and a look into the different types of wristwatches available, you'll find your perfect luxury timepiece in no time.
