A timeless design, chronograph watches are also great additions to any watch collection.
CHRONOGRAPH WATCH HISTORY
“Chronograph” stems from the Greek words chronos (time) and graph (writing). It literally means “Time Writer.” Now one of the most sought after timepieces, the first chronograph was invented by Louis Moinet in 1816 for astronomical purposes; while the first marketed Chronograph watch was invented by Nicolas Mathieu Rieussec back in 1821. It was meant for King Louis XVIII to keep track of his favorite leisure, horse racing, as chronograph watches were engineered for time accuracy with one press of a button.
With the complications of chronographs changing over time, its uses have also expanded and have reached a larger market. To mention a few, this timepiece is now used for navigation, car racing, and Olympic sports. Both stylish and functional, below we have listed the top 5 most popular chronograph watches.
- Patek Philippe 5170R-001
- Lange & Söhne Datograph Perpetual Tourbillon
- Limited Edition Navitimer Breitling DC-3
- Rolex Daytona: 18 ct Everose Gold – 116515LN
- Omega Speedmaster Professional
MOST POPULAR CHRONOGRAPH WATCHES
1. Patek Philippe 5170R-001
Patek Philippe is a powerhouse brand in the watch industry, with a reputation for precision and high quality craftsmanship. They are known for creating limited edition watches that are sent directly to prominent collectors. This watch has a manually wound caliber CH 29-535 PS and is water resistant up to 30m.
Price: $80,000
Famous Wearers of Patek Philippe: Paul McCartney, Charlie Sheen, John Mayer, The Dalai Lama
2. Lange & Söhne Datograph Perpetual Tourbillon
Released as a limited edition watch with only 100 pieces available, this Lange Datograph Perpetual Tourbillon is the brand’s flagship timepiece. With a 41.5 mm diameter, this platinum watch boasts a black dial, is made up of 729 parts and a caliber of L952.2.
Price: $350,000
Famous wearers of A. Lange & Söhne: Vladimir Putin, Hailey Baldwin, Mila Kunis, Leslie Moonves
3. Limited Edition Navitimer Breitling DC-3
Breitling outdid themselves with this watch, proving their dedication to all things aviation related by restoring the DC-3 plane (used in WWII). In line with this, they created a 500-piece limited edition of the classic Breitling Navitimer. Engraved with the Breitling DC-3 world tour logo on the caseback, this timepiece has a diameter of 46.mm. It is equipped with a Breitling 01 caliber and like the Patek Philippe 5170R-001, this timepiece is water resistant up to 30m.
Price: $8,750
Famous wearers of Breitling: Gordon Ramsay, Robin Thicke, Brad Pitt, Harrison Ford
4. Rolex Cosmograph Daytona: 18 ct Everose Gold – 116515LN
With as much as a two-year waiting list for a timepiece, Rolex remains one of the most sought after brands in the world. Since 1963, the Daytona has been a key piece of the Rolex collection. An early Daytona in the 1960’s would cost about $200 as this was not a popular choice at that time. Today, however, those “Pre-Daytonas” can soar up to $20,000 due to their rarity. Thinner than Rolex’s Submariner, the Daytona was designed with professional racing drivers in mind. This watch model was introduced in 2005 with a caliber of 4130.
Price: $20,000+
Famous wearers of Rolex: Adam Levine, Daniel Craig, Eminem, Robert de Niro
5. OMEGA Speedmaster Professional Moonwatch
Also known as the Moonwatch, the Speedmaster Professional was worn by non other than Buzz Aldrin when he landed on the moon in 1969. With a 42 mm diameter, this watch is now NASA’s go-to watch for space missions.. It stands out with its black dial and stainless steel case.
Price: $5,250
Famous wearers of OMEGA: George Clooney, John Hamm, former US President John F. Kennedy, Cindy Crawford
WHAT TO LOOK FOR WHEN BUYING A CHRONOGRAPH WATCH
Here’s a guide when choosing a chronograph watch:
- Regardless of its weight, it should rest on your wrist comfortably
- A tachymeter is a good addition as it helps calculate distance and speed,
- If you are an active person, look for a chronograph that suits your lifestyle (waterproof, water resistant, or shock-resistant)
- Some chronographs record less time than others, so ensure that your timepiece will match the duration of any activity you intend to record