Suggestions for the best (and most modestly sized) chronographs around £5k?
The collection I'm looking to build would be ~10 watches with a single example for each major type of watch: tool, dress, diver, etc. I currently don't own a chronograph, mostly because the examples I like are too large (>40mm) or too thick (>12mm) or both. For me, the ultimate would be the Zenith reverse panda Chronomaster Original, or for something less timeless, the A384. Those models retail for ~£7-8k in the UK so I'm wondering what I'm missing in the ~3-5k region that would present something similarly svelte and might provide a better value proposition. Any suggestions?
Watch obsessive who believes smaller and cleaner trumps bigger and flashier. Much first hand love for Tudor, Grand Seiko, Longines, Oris, Hamilton, etc. while pining from afar for Rolex, Patek, VC, et...
What are your constraints movement wise?
That's a tough range to find a Chronograph is such measures. As you know mechanical Chronograph movements requires more space inside the case.
Only what I know would be the Junghans Meister Chronoscope. Even the size are little over your expectations.
Ø 40,7 mm, Höhe 13,9 mm
But it costs only around 2K
Have to agree that the beauty of the Zenith and the Daytona are the thinness they present, and anything cheaper will have a thicker movement.
I‘d recommend saving your Pennie’s and try to find a used Zenith that you like.
Longines have some great chronograph models
What are your constraints movement wise?
I'm not a movement snob so in-house is not something I want (or expect for the price). I'm pretty ignorant about the typical chrono movements but for me the thickness would likely be a key concern as my major complaint about most chronos is their thickness. As a man with previous for smashing watches into doorframes I need all the help I can get with keeping the watch head close to my wrist.
Have to agree that the beauty of the Zenith and the Daytona are the thinness they present, and anything cheaper will have a thicker movement.
I‘d recommend saving your Pennie’s and try to find a used Zenith that you like.
Thanks, I think this is true, just good to confirm I'm not missing anything I might love and save myself a few grand into the bargain (at some theoretical future point when 8 grand is burning a hole in my pocket).
Thanks Bob. Outside of the Fifty Fathoms, I'm pretty ignorant about Blancpain so I'll go take a look at this.
Wait, the flyback Chrono?
Where do you see those sub $5k?
I'm not a movement snob so in-house is not something I want (or expect for the price). I'm pretty ignorant about the typical chrono movements but for me the thickness would likely be a key concern as my major complaint about most chronos is their thickness. As a man with previous for smashing watches into doorframes I need all the help I can get with keeping the watch head close to my wrist.
I'm going to assume you're thinking automatic, not manual or mechaquartz.
It's frankly a tall order as @MegaBob has pointed out.
Some things do get close and they largely are modular Chronographs based on the ETA 2894 and a Dubois Depraz module.
Maen Skymaster (38mm diameter, 12.9mm height with boxed sapphire crystal, $1200ish)
Omega Dynamic Chronograph (38mm x 12.8mm, ~$3kish)
Farer Chrono Classic (39mm x 13.2mm, $2600ish)
With manuals you're going to have more choices.
The Lebois Heritage is one I've been looking at recently ($2500ish and 39mm x 10.5mm)
Sigh....maybe there's an alternative to my lusting after a titanium air command.
I'm going to assume you're thinking automatic, not manual or mechaquartz.
It's frankly a tall order as @MegaBob has pointed out.
Some things do get close and they largely are modular Chronographs based on the ETA 2894 and a Dubois Depraz module.
Maen Skymaster (38mm diameter, 12.9mm height with boxed sapphire crystal, $1200ish)
Omega Dynamic Chronograph (38mm x 12.8mm, ~$3kish)
Farer Chrono Classic (39mm x 13.2mm, $2600ish)
With manuals you're going to have more choices.
The Lebois Heritage is one I've been looking at recently ($2500ish and 39mm x 10.5mm)
Thanks Edge, a handwound movement would likely be thinner and help with the overall depth issue but for the price I'm not picky. Thanks for your suggestions too - I'm familiar with Farer, own one and have been happy with quality and customer service. Do you know Maen? I like their designs but would want to know about their reputation before taking a punt...
I'm going to assume you're thinking automatic, not manual or mechaquartz.
It's frankly a tall order as @MegaBob has pointed out.
Some things do get close and they largely are modular Chronographs based on the ETA 2894 and a Dubois Depraz module.
Maen Skymaster (38mm diameter, 12.9mm height with boxed sapphire crystal, $1200ish)
Omega Dynamic Chronograph (38mm x 12.8mm, ~$3kish)
Farer Chrono Classic (39mm x 13.2mm, $2600ish)
With manuals you're going to have more choices.
The Lebois Heritage is one I've been looking at recently ($2500ish and 39mm x 10.5mm)
And on the Lebois - similar question. The specs are great, I like the vintage look, but I'd want multiple instances of fellow enthusiasts vouching for the quality/customer experience...
And on the Lebois - similar question. The specs are great, I like the vintage look, but I'd want multiple instances of fellow enthusiasts vouching for the quality/customer experience...
I have held the Maen and it is excellently built but I have not been a customer so I can't vouch for aftermarket support.
The Lebois I haven't even held yet which is part of the reason I've held off.
I have a Maen Skymaster. Great watch for the price. I went with the grey dial, blue & black subdials. From ordering to delivery it took 4 days. Don't know about there after sales service as I haven't had any issues.
Have to agree that the beauty of the Zenith and the Daytona are the thinness they present, and anything cheaper will have a thicker movement.
I‘d recommend saving your Pennie’s and try to find a used Zenith that you like.
Solid advice
Thanks, I'll take a closer look. I mostly wear 38mm and under watches these days and on the occasions I do strap on a 40mm I feel like I'm wearing a Flava Flav-style wall clock on my wrist so 42mm feels like it would require a deep mental shift on my part...
You know I was just thinking about this for a while and totally forgot about this one.
The Cartier Tank MC Chronograph.
It's a square, so it will wear larger than the dimensions imply but 34.4mm x 44mm....and the kicker, just 11.7mm tall. On Tim Mosso's pretty small 16cm wrist.
You can find these as low as $4K USD used on Ebay.
Manufacture column wheel, vertical clutch chronograph movement developed by Valfleurier.
I think this might be one of the best deals used out there.
You know I was just thinking about this for a while and totally forgot about this one.
The Cartier Tank MC Chronograph.
It's a square, so it will wear larger than the dimensions imply but 34.4mm x 44mm....and the kicker, just 11.7mm tall. On Tim Mosso's pretty small 16cm wrist.
You can find these as low as $4K USD used on Ebay.
Manufacture column wheel, vertical clutch chronograph movement developed by Valfleurier.
I think this might be one of the best deals used out there.
Wow - completely unaware of this reference. Not a fan of square chronos as a rule - even Tag Heuer Monaco leaves me cold - but I'm going to take a look at these. Can't believe I've never encountered this before!
Wow - completely unaware of this reference. Not a fan of square chronos as a rule - even Tag Heuer Monaco leaves me cold - but I'm going to take a look at these. Can't believe I've never encountered this before!
The Tank MCs weren't the most popular references, probably because they departed so much from the traditional tank format, but if you evaluate them on their own, they're well designed and horologically interesting watches in and of themselves.
I mean, an automatic column wheel, vertical clutch chronograph in sub 12mm height is just incredibly impressive as an achievement.