They exhibit little or no hand work. Their components are often stamped, not milled. They are rarely beautiful to behold.
They tend to employ mechanisms designed primarily to reduce costs. Some of these calibers can be found in watches costing from hundreds of dollars to several thousand, even reaching into five figures, which can be distressing to those who buy in at the upper end of the spectrum.
When it comes to chronograph movement design, purists prefer integrated to modular, because the integrated variety is designed to be a chronograph from the ground up. That means all components are optimized for that use. Modular movements, also called sandwich or piggyback designs, begin with a base caliber and add a chronograph mechanism mounted on a separate plate, usually on the dial side.
If you want a nice view of the chronograph through the display back, an integrated movement is the way to go. Some feel that in all but the finest executions, a modular construction will be less precise. The chronograph seconds hand may jump or stutter when started, the continuous seconds or the minutes hand may jump slightly when the chronograph is activated even the date disk may move slightly , and the feel of the push-piece is not as smooth and buttery. As noted above, modular designs can also generate more amplitude-reducing drag when the chronograph is engaged.
The integrated model also used a vertical clutch — see below. They include a high jewel count, no chronograph components visible through the display back, a date display that sits down in a hole and not directly below the dial, and a crown that is not on the same horizontal plane as the chronograph buttons though some brands try to disguise this with oversized crowns, push-pieces, and guards.
Imagine what would happen if you could activate the reset mechanism while the chronograph was running. To prevent this and other disasters, chronographs employ systems to coordinate actions initiated by the push-pieces. As you might expect, there are different systems, and each has its supporters and detractors. The traditional system, favored by purists, is the column wheel, so named because the key component looks like a wheel lying on its side with a series of small, vertical columns rising up from it.
Each push of a button causes the wheel to turn, and as it turns, the columns, and the spaces in between, move in small increments. Column wheels are traditional, expensive to manufacture and to adjust, and difficult to service. They also look great, and they provide very smooth push-piece feel.
The new system functions much like the traditional one, with an eccentric cam a thin piece of metal with an irregular shape replacing the column wheel. Cam systems are generally less expensive to manufacture, easier to adjust, easier to service, and not as nice looking. In use, cams generally perform as well as column wheels.
Chronographs powered by the Lemania Caliber , with cam switching, were certified by several countries for military use. When the Swatch Group announced that it would halt Caliber production, watch manufacturers using the movement objected, saying it was the only caliber that could withstand large shocks without the chronograph seconds hand stopping. The was eventually discontinued and replaced by an ETA caliber.
Finally, the ETA , which is also known for being rugged, uses cam switching. If you care about tradition, a nice view through the display back, and the approval of purists, the column wheel is for you. The traditional system uses horizontal or lateral coupling to transmit energy. When the start button is depressed, a wheel mounted on a moveable bridge or lever slides horizontally to link the fourth wheel, which rotates once per minute, with the chronograph center wheel, which drives the chronograph seconds hand.
The intermediate sliding wheel is required because if the fourth wheel meshed directly with the chronograph center wheel, the chronograph wheel and the seconds hand it activates would run counterclockwise. The horizontal meshing system is aesthetically pleasing because it enables the owner to watch the chronograph engaging and disengaging.
However, meshing teeth can cause the chronograph seconds hand to jump when it starts, and because the teeth used for chronograph coupling have a different shape, or profile, than teeth used for continuous power transmission, regular or continuous chronograph use can cause the teeth to wear.
The other main contender in this arena is known as the vertical clutch. Though not as aesthetically pleasing because the chronograph engagement takes place largely out of sight , this system offers some advantages. It reduces chronograph drag, the chronograph seconds hand does not jump when started, and the chronograph can run continuously without causing excessive wear.
The drawbacks include cost, poor aesthetics, and the fact that the vertical clutch can be difficult to service. The higher the frequency, the smaller the fractions. So, as the average frequencies for wristwatch movements have increased over the years, chronographs based on those movements have become able to measure smaller and smaller fractions of seconds.
Movement frequencies are often expressed in vibrations per hour, or vph. Viewed from above, the balance wheel swings back and forth, left and right. Each swing to the left or to the right is a vibration. Each vibration, or beat, causes the seconds hand to make one jump forward.
The most common frequency for modern mechanical movements is 28, vph. To calculate how many vibrations that is per second, divide that rate by 3,, which is the number of seconds in an hour remember that vph is vibrations per hour.
Having mastered this bit of math, it is important to keep in mind that the movement frequency does not always translate directly to the motion of the chronograph seconds hand. In recent years, some manufacturers, notably TAG Heuer , have started producing chronographs with two mainspring barrels, two wheel trains, and two escapements that run at different frequencies. The timekeeping escapement can tick along at a leisurely frequency meant for movements that run for years on end offering low wear and a long power reserve , while the chronograph escapement can operate at a much faster frequency that allows it to measure hundredths or thousandths of a second and beyond.
Anything one watchmaker can invent, another can make more complicated, which leads us to some exotic forms of the chronograph: the flyback and the rattrapante. The flyback is much more useful when measuring fractions of a second is not required. For example, if a pilot has to execute a series of turns at specified time intervals, he can quickly reset and restart the chronograph before making each turn.
Another exotic option is the rattrapante chronograph, also known as the split-seconds or doppelchronograph. These watches have two chronograph seconds hands, one on top of the other. The extra seconds hand allows the timing of a second event, or splits within a single event, though with one significant limitation we will discuss momentarily. Pushing the rattrapante button again causes the rattrapante hand to catch up to the primary chronograph seconds hand, which is how you time splits in a longer race.
For example, in a one-mile race, you might press the rattrapante button each time the runner passes a quarter-mile marker, reading the time for that split. After reading the time, you can press the rattrapante button again to reunite the chronograph seconds hands, until the next quarter-mile marker comes up. The limitation is that the rattrapante hand has no minutes counter of its own. So, you can time two events, or splits within a longer event, as long as the rattrapante hand does not have to measure more than one minute.
The four chronograph hands two seconds and two minutes also have flyback functionality. And, the movement has two column wheels — one for stop-start-reset, and one for the rattrapante functions.
Some of us want a date display, but the chronograph that has captured our hearts does not have one. That leaves the cellphone option, which, in our view, is acceptable, even for a true watch aficionado. Or, put a tiny bit of tape on the crystal to block the date. Adding a scale to a chronograph dial or bezel expands the range of information the timepiece can convey. One set of scales is based on the relationships between time, speed, and distance — if you know two values, you can calculate the third, and the scale makes the calculation for you.
For example, a tachymeter allows you to calculate speed over a known distance, typically kilometers or miles. A simple example of tachymeter use involves determining the speed of a car, where time and distance are known. So, what is a chronograph watch?
A chronograph watch has additional features aside from letting you know what time of day it is. A regular watch really just tells time in a, well, basic way. On the other hand, a chronograph watch has more complications and functions.
It can stop, go, reset, and start again. Think about it as a stopwatch at its most basic level, though chronographs definitely have more features built into them. Omega Speedmaster Chronograph watches serve a specific purpose. This is essentially what they are for. It can measure your heart rate, calculate your average speed, or keep track of two events at the same time.
There are also chronographs that have telemetre functions. This could inform you of the distance to a certain event that could either be seen or heard. Remarkably, these timepieces can still tell the time accurately despite all these complicated functions. It is a testament to the craftsmanship of the chronograph and is the main reason why chronograph watches have a higher price tag.
This brings us to the next reason why you should get the best chronograph watch. Well, almost two watches, being that chronograph watches automatically have two functions, such as a watch and stopwatch. It also could have more than that. There are some multi-scale chronographs that are available in the market. This includes a telemetre, a pulsometer, and regular watch functions in one. Tachymeters are also an addition to the watch and stopwatch functions.
A tachymeter is made as a rotatable bezel that is used to measure speed and distance. This was most commonly used by athletes timing their races. If you know the time and the distance, you can use the tachymeter to calculate your speed. In addition, if you know time and speed, you can also use it to calculate your distance.
The number on the tachymeter may not make sense initially, but there are easy formulas you can use to do your calculations. There are some bezels that rotate, allowing the wearer to do multiple calculations simultaneously. When it comes to buying a chronograph watch, there are a few things you should keep an eye out for. Each of these will be important when choosing which watch you want to purchase.
For example, all Jack Mason watches are made with sapphire crystal, genuine Italian leather straps , and come with a warranty for the lifetime of the watch. We want you to have a luxury watch that you can treasure and pass down to your children and grandchildren.
This just comes down to your personal preference. The pricing of luxury watches is complicated. Some expensive watches are worth the higher price tag, but you can often get the same quality at a much more affordable price.
And last but not least, you want to be sure you like the way the watch looks. At Jack Mason, we believe that the dress watch a man chooses to wear not only reflects who he is, but it also helps to create the legacy of who he wants to be. And why spend so much money on something just because it has a specific name attached to it? As with so many other things, just make sure you buy what you like. Older Post Newer Post. Avigator Small Second. Cart "Close Cart". What Is a Chronograph Watch?
History of the Chronograph Watch Chronograph watches have been part of watchmaking for a long time. How Do Chronograph Watches Work? How to Use a Chronograph Watch? Below are just a few of the different ways you can make use of unique features of a chronograph.
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