WHAT IS A CHRONOGRAPH WATCH?

CHRONOGRAPH TIMEPIECES EXPLAINED

Stylish and practical, chronograph watches combine regular timekeeping functions with a stopwatch complication. Independent hands and sub dials are used to precisely record time elapsed in seconds, minutes and hours. Discover more about these wonderful timepieces.

Features
How to use
Watch types

THE CHRONOGRAPH HANDS

Chronograph watches feature additional hands that measure elapsed time in seconds, minutes or even hours, once the timer has been started.

THE SUB DIALS

You’ll find up to two or three additional sub dials on a chronograph watch. Once a full minute or hour has elapsed on the timer, you’ll see it tracked in the relevant sub dial.

THE PUSHERS

Dual pusher chronograph watches feature two additional buttons – one to start/stop your timer, and the other to reset it. Rarer monopusher chronographs feature just one, typically built into the crown, which is used for all three of these stopwatch functions.

HOW TO USE A CHRONOGRAPH WATCH

Though complex to create, using a chronograph watch is pleasantly straightforward. To start or stop the timer, simply press the top pusher. To rest it, use the bottom pusher to return the chronograph hands to their starting place. For a monopusher chronograph, you’ll press the same button once to start timing, a second time to stop, and a third to reset.

TYPES OF CHRONOGRAPH WATCH

AUTOMATIC CHRONOGRAPH

Automatic chronograph watches combine fine craftsmanship and chronograph functionality, with advanced movements that don’t require manual winding.
MANUAL CHRONOGRAPH

Luxury watch enthusiasts will appreciate a manual chronograph. It requires manual winding to keep it in good time, but allows for a transparent back revealing the inner mechanics.
FLYBACK CHRONOGRAPH

Useful for timing multiple events in quick succession, flyback chronograph watches allow you to quickly restart the timer function without having to stop and reset it each time.
SPLIT-SECONDS CHRONOGRAPH

Also called a rattrapante, split-seconds chronographs have two second hands that are controlled independently. Rare and complex to craft, they’re useful for timing multiple events.

Automatic chronograph watches combine fine craftsmanship and chronograph functionality, with advanced movements that don’t require manual winding.

Luxury watch enthusiasts will appreciate a manual chronograph. It requires manual winding to keep it in good time, but allows for a transparent back revealing the inner mechanics.

Useful for timing multiple events in quick succession, flyback chronograph watches allow you to quickly restart the timer function without having to stop and reset it each time.

Also called a rattrapante, split-seconds chronographs have two second hands that are controlled independently. Rare and complex to craft, they’re useful for timing multiple events.