What is a Chronograph Watch?

You may have noticed that some watches have a few smaller dials strategically placed within the main dial. At first glance, their function(s) may not be obvious, and their purpose may remain vague upon closer inspection.

Keeping accurate time is the primary purpose of a watch. The very best models can accomplish this task with an accuracy of as narrow as 10 seconds per month. That precision is fascinating, especially considering that many watches are entirely mechanical and fit comfortably on the wrist.

But some watches get even more specific with timekeeping – namely, chronograph watches – by providing an additional complication that acts as a stopwatch. Equipped with these extra dials, a chronograph watch lets the wearer keep time and run a stopwatch simultaneously.

You can buy a chronograph watch with one, two, or three dials (which measure(s) elapsed seconds, minutes, and hours).

A chronograph movement can look needlessly confusing to someone without much watch-wearing experience (*guilty*), but they’re user-friendly if you know what you’re looking at.

To activate the chronograph, locate and press the start/stop button (usually at the 2 o’clock position). Your watch will now keep two times: the time of day and the time elapsed since initiating the chronograph. To pause or end the function, repeat the start/stop maneuver. You can then reset the complication by pressing a button usually found at the 4 o’clock position.

Do not press the reset button when the chronograph is running – it may bend or damage its components and affect its ability to function (damage is not super likely to happen, but manufacturers often encourage exercising caution here).

The average watch-wearer likely doesn’t need a chronograph for day-to-day use, but the feature can be valuable to almost anyone. For any racing or time-based competition, a chronograph watch is one of the most convenient and accurate ways to determine the outcome.

Even if you’re not timing a competition, a chronograph could also be used to measure elapsed time in day-to-day tasks, like cooking or accounting for the time spent working (looking at you, lawyers).

If you possess mathematical inclinations, you can also use the complication to measure speed or distance.

Given a distance and a chronograph-measured travel time, you can calculate the average speed over that distance. Conversely, you can calculate distance if you know your speed and measure the time spent at said speed.

But let’s be honest – even the most passionate watch enthusiast has an app for that.

Regardless of how (or if) you choose to use it, chronograph movements enhance the functionality and style of a watch, which is one reason so many watchmakers add them to their lineups.

The added complication will almost certainly add a premium to the price – something to consider if you’re in the market for a watch. Chronographs add a layer of complexity – literally called a complication – so the watches with these additional components and intricacies typically carry a heftier price tag.

Many would argue that the premium is worth it.

Despite the additional cost, a chronograph adds significant functional value to a watch, and the presence of sub-dials often conveys more elegance and sophistication compared to less embellished pieces.

Should you get a chronograph watch?

Whether you purchase a chronograph watch depends almost entirely on two considerations: (1) if you like how it looks and (2) how you’ll use it. If the answer to question (1) is no, then investing in a chronograph watch doesn’t make great sense. If you do like how they look, though, they make a great addition to any watch collection.

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