Now I’m into chronographs?!
Seeing the Heuer Monaco on Steve McQueen’s wrist started my love affair with watches like it did for some many others. I think this happened in 1990. I had never seen anything like it. It was just so… cool. Square case, left hand crown, horizontal indices, blue dial. I had to have it and eventually I tracked a vintage one down in the mid 90’s. To say I was happy with the score would be a severe understatement.
One thing I just realized is that I never really cared that it was a chronograph. I barely ever used the function over the years. Only to check if it was functioning properly.
Fast forward to this year’s glassbox release, I just had to have the black one if for no other reason than the date is at the 12 o’clock position. So weird to me, so quirky, ultimately beautiful. So I went into Tag store in Century City. They only had the display model left despite only being available a couple of weeks. I tried it on and it was perfect. A couple hours later after some consideration, I bought it.
Over the course of the last 2 weeks, I’ve acquired a Speedtimer (crazy dial, 2 tone bracelet) and a Workhorse (khaki case, orange hands). These decisions were based on aesthetics not complication choices; the chronograph function on each of these watches is only in service of the aesthetic for me. Maybe I’ll find a chronograph actually useful someday… or at least use when I’m cooking.
I hadn’t bought a chronograph in years. This year I’ve bought 3. It’s surprising to me. I only ever needed to tell the time with a watch and GMT’s we’re about as far as I would go complication-wise because that’s all I would realistically use the watch for. Buying functions I never used was never really on my radar except for the Monaco.
My tastes are changing or expanding or something… Whatever is going on, it’s fun!
So, are you into chronographs? Why? Share a foto of your favorite. Tell me why you love it. What details does it have that just make want it. I’d love to learn more about chronographs and maybe find more chronographs that need to find their way onto my wrist.
Cheers!
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Hi Tony, I'm more or less in your camp. I have a couple that a don't use but I love the aesthetic of their daily. I'll be following this post to get more info also. Here's my favorite chronograph. It's a Norqain. I love the grey dial with the black chrono. I think it pops.
Hi Tony, I'm more or less in your camp. I have a couple that a don't use but I love the aesthetic of their daily. I'll be following this post to get more info also. Here's my favorite chronograph. It's a Norqain. I love the grey dial with the black chrono. I think it pops.
Love the date window placement on this
Love the date window placement on this
I like the retro feel. It looks a lot better better on a black strap than a bracelet.
I love Chronographs myself, my two favourite watch types are sea/dive watches and chronographs.
Having sold my Seiko Speedtimer (24 hour sub dial, purplish subdials, poor date window) my only chronograph is a Certina DS-2 presidrive high accuracy quartz. Super watch which resolves the speedtimers shortcomings.
I'd never anywhere near considered a chronograph until I tried a Speedy on at an Omega dealer - and fell slightly in love. I couldn't justify it for various reasons but it's made me look at chronographs in a whole new light. My main issue is that there aren't many other than the Speedmaster 38 that are sized for women/small wrists so I think my money is safe for a while!
I like them mostly for their looks. I don’t use the function so often. Your new Tag Heuer looks great👍
Guilty
I'd never anywhere near considered a chronograph until I tried a Speedy on at an Omega dealer - and fell slightly in love. I couldn't justify it for various reasons but it's made me look at chronographs in a whole new light. My main issue is that there aren't many other than the Speedmaster 38 that are sized for women/small wrists so I think my money is safe for a while!
Have you considered the discontinued Speedmaster Reduced (39mm)? They come in a large variaty from classic black to more colorful options.
Well, I wouldn't be writing about watches after midnight (with work the next morning!) if it weren't for chronographs. Or rather, one chronograph in particular:
My dad gave me a watch he bought in the early 70s, and the process of figuring out how to get it fixed without ruining it led me into a deep dive on watches. It's been 6 years, and I haven't come up for air.
Hey buddy - great post, great watch trio (not every day you see a Vero!) and great taste (as always)!
Like you, my romanticism with chronographs lean more into aesthetics than function, as I now and then test the complications just to make sure the pushers are engaging properly, everything resets/aligns as should and so forth…
Lastest chrono to the collection is this Hanhart wonder. Love the camo green, cathedral hands, fluted/coinedge bezel, sandblasted finish and red “accents” throughout 🤙❤️
Well, I wouldn't be writing about watches after midnight (with work the next morning!) if it weren't for chronographs. Or rather, one chronograph in particular:
My dad gave me a watch he bought in the early 70s, and the process of figuring out how to get it fixed without ruining it led me into a deep dive on watches. It's been 6 years, and I haven't come up for air.
Whoa this Tudor is drool worthy!! Gawgeous🎯🎯🎯
Have you considered the discontinued Speedmaster Reduced (39mm)? They come in a large variaty from classic black to more colorful options.
Yes - would love one! Main issue is budget though
Hey buddy - great post, great watch trio (not every day you see a Vero!) and great taste (as always)!
Like you, my romanticism with chronographs lean more into aesthetics than function, as I now and then test the complications just to make sure the pushers are engaging properly, everything resets/aligns as should and so forth…
Lastest chrono to the collection is this Hanhart wonder. Love the camo green, cathedral hands, fluted/coinedge bezel, sandblasted finish and red “accents” throughout 🤙❤️
Omg. I love this. Especially the coin edge. Congrats!
Well, I wouldn't be writing about watches after midnight (with work the next morning!) if it weren't for chronographs. Or rather, one chronograph in particular:
My dad gave me a watch he bought in the early 70s, and the process of figuring out how to get it fixed without ruining it led me into a deep dive on watches. It's been 6 years, and I haven't come up for air.
i love the montecarlo especially in the polished bezel. rare bird. i've never seen in person. thanks for sharing.
Guilty
looks like i'm going to have dig around timex...
I'd never anywhere near considered a chronograph until I tried a Speedy on at an Omega dealer - and fell slightly in love. I couldn't justify it for various reasons but it's made me look at chronographs in a whole new light. My main issue is that there aren't many other than the Speedmaster 38 that are sized for women/small wrists so I think my money is safe for a while!
have you considered the Zenith Original or Revival Chronomasters? they come in at 38
looks like i'm going to have dig around timex...
Just received an email this morning that the Pan Am series is restocked.
A lot of times Ill use my chronographs to time my commute, or breaks, or literally just about anything im waiting for, it doesnt have to be something important, just something to keep track of
Awsome post Tony. Yea I can completely under under this you got inspired here. Sometimes all it takes is seeing it on the right persons wrist during a movie, show , or live event. Or finding out a hero of your use to own X or Y. I’m a fan of chrono’s basically for the look. As of now my fav in my collection is my Seagull
Gorgeous piece and yes I am considering a Seagull… now which one?! Cheers.
Nice chronographs