Chronograph watches

A chronograph is a watch that, in addition to displaying the time, features a stopwatch function to accurately measure elapsed time. Chronographs almost always come equipped with extra pushers on the side of the case and small, round sub-dials on the main dial. Digital watches with a stopwatch function are also available. Chronographs are typically sporty watches that appeal to both men and women who lead an active lifestyle. Popular brands at Watch.co.uk include Casio and G-Shock for digital chronographs, and Casio Edifice, Tissot, and Hugo Boss for analog chronographs. The style of chronograph watches ranges from utilitarian to highly sporty or even classic. Prices for the chronographs in our selection of over 1,700 watches vary widely, ranging from around £75 for a simple yet functional Lorus to over £7,000 for a handmade, radio-controlled titanium G-Shock MR-G watch. You can find your ideal chronograph by filtering this page by criteria such as brand, price, color, and diameter.

What is a chronograph?

Simply put, a chronograph is a watch with a stopwatch function. Pressing a button starts the hands that measure elapsed time, while pressing a second button stops the timing.

Analog or digital

Although both types perform the exact same basic function, analog and digital chronographs differ significantly in how they display information and how they operate technically: The analog chronograph displays elapsed time using physical hands. When the stopwatch starts, a (central) second hand begins to move. Elapsed minutes and hours are tracked on separate, smaller sub-dials. This type of chronograph has a classic, sporty, and luxurious look.
The digital chronograph displays the measured time as digits on a screen. Because there are no moving hands, a digital chronograph can measure with much greater precision (often down to 1/100th or 1/1000th of a second), instantly offer features like lap times, and store previous measurements in memory.

If you would like to read more about the different types of chronographs, exactly how a chronograph works, and how to calculate distance using a tachymeter, you can do so on our blog. Are you looking for a chronograph watch from a specific brand or within a certain budget? You can also filter the selection on this page by brand and price.

History of the Chronograph

The word "chronograph" is a combination of the Greek words ‘chronos’ (time) and ‘grapho’ (to write). The history of this mechanism spans more than two centuries and is deeply rooted in science, motor racing, and space exploration.
The very first chronograph was invented in 1816 by the Frenchman Louis Moinet. He designed the ‘Compteur de Tierces’ to precisely time astronomical objects, with the instrument capable of measuring time to an accuracy of one-sixtieth of a second. In 1821, the first commercial timepiece was built, commissioned by King Louis XVIII of France, to record horse races. This device literally wrote with an ink-tipped stylus onto a rotating disc, which explains the name "chronograph". More than a century later, in 1913, Longines introduced the first wristwatch featuring a chronograph mechanism; at the time, it operated via a single push-button (monopusher).

During the twentieth century, the chronograph became an essential tool for professionals in motor racing, aviation, and space exploration. Notably, in 1969, Buzz Aldrin wore the legendary Omega Speedmaster Professional on the moon. This chronograph (the very first watch on the moon!) has since been known as the "Moonwatch." In 2022, this iconic model was given a modern successor through a collaboration with Swatch, resulting in the popular bioceramic variant: the MoonSwatch.

Although digital timers have largely taken over the functional role of the stopwatch, the mechanical chronograph remains one of the most beloved complications among watch enthusiasts due to its technical complexity and sporty appearance.

Characteristics of a chronograph watch

A classic analog chronograph is instantly recognizable by the distinctive pushers on the case and the small round sub-dials. These buttons are used to start and stop the built-in stopwatch. However, be careful when buying: some watches feature this specific design, yet their buttons actually operate hands that indicate the day and date. Budget fashion brands sometimes even produce watches with non-functional pushers, simply because the chronograph style is popular.

Various styles of chronograph watches

At its core, the chronograph is a practical tool watch that - prior to the advent of computers and the internet - was primarily used by professionals such as pilots, race car drivers, and medical personnel. Beyond simply measuring elapsed time, these watches, when combined with specific scales on the bezel or dial, can perform a wide range of calculations. These include speed (tachymeter), distance to an event (telemeter), heart rate (pulsometer), or an aircraft's fuel consumption (slide rule). This heritage is still reflected in the design of modern chronographs.

Functionality heavily influences the watch's appearance. Pilot's watches are often larger to ensure high legibility and feature extensive scales on the bezel and dial for performing calculations. Racing chronographs typically sport a retro look that evokes the glory days of classic motor racing. Meanwhile, diver's chronographs feature robust, highly legible, bi-directional rotating bezels and bold colors to ensure visibility underwater.

The Zeppelin collection , for instance, includes many classic pilot's chronographs, whereas brands like Citizen, G-Shock, and Hamilton offer ultra-modern, highly sophisticated pilot's watches. Chronographs with a medical heritage can be found at LIP, alongside classic racing chronographs, a style also offered by brands such as Tissot, Aston Martin, and Edox. Edox also features many diver's chronographs in its lineup; this type of watch is also found in the collections of Certina, Festina, and Maurice Lacroix.