Best Diver Chronos?
Hello everyone. I know diver chronos are somewhat frowned upon as the watches that someone who doesn’t know anything about watches would buy.
However, you can’t deny that there are certain activities that require both diving and chronograph functions. So I was wondering what are the best diver chronos on the market right now. The criterias are as follows:
Movement: Automatic (can be an exception in certain cases), if possible, vertical clutch
Size: diameter up to 43mm, L2L up to 51mm
Thickness: up to 15mm
Price: around $5-6k
I know these requirements automatically exclude many options but there may be exceptions in some cases. Below are a few examples of what I would look for and a reason why they are not a good fit.
Longines Hydroconquest Chrono 41: too thick (17mm)
Rado Captain Cook Chrono: horizontal clutch
Omega SMP 300m Chrono: too big and too thick
Tudor Pelagos FXD Chrono: too expansive and the fixed lugs
Tag Heuer Aquaracer 200 Chrono: Quartz yet overpriced quartz
Orient Panda Diving Chrono: too cheap (?)
Doxa Sub 200 C-graph: too thick
Zodiac Sea-chron: Cook Design but too thick, not sure about the vertical clutch
I hope you somewhat understood my weaker mind with its criterias and I would appreciate any help with finding new options for this kind of watches.
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Was just going to suggest these ✌️Best diver chronos around
I offer this up. Breitling Chrono Avenger M1. It’s SuperQuartz, but here me out. M main reason above all others is that the pushers can actually be used under water as they are activated by some magnetic system through the case I believe. If using as a true dive chronograph, that’s pretty dang useful. Seriously, there are only a few that can do this.
Not a proper diver, but definitely a dive style chronograph, the Norqain Adventure Sport Chrono Day/Date fits the bill well and comes under budget.
Diver chronos are awesome for everything but diving. Timing multiple things? Super useful!!
How about the Doxa sub 200 c-graph ii Caribbean - 200m, 42mm, 46LTL, 15.85mm thick? For a little under 3k, I now own the most beautiful blue dial chronograph I've ever owned (better looking and roughly the same price as my Sinn Arktis 203 from years ago). However, the Sinn Arktis 206 - which replaced 1999's 203 - is priced considerably higher at $4500.
Also, good luck finding a thin mechanical chronograph; it just isn't possible. I find my Doxa's 15.85 thick case (including its boxed, double-domed sapphire crystal) sits very comfortably and perfectly balanced on its custom fitted FKM strap. It's actually one of the most comfortable watches I've ever owned - which, considering it's a chronograph, is a rare feat, indeed.
Also, good luck finding a thin mechanical chronograph; it just isn't possible. I find my Doxa's 15.85 thick case (including its boxed, double-domed sapphire crystal) sits very comfortably and perfectly balanced on its custom fitted FKM strap. It's actually one of the most comfortable watches I've ever owned - which, considering it's a chronograph, is a rare feat, indeed.
Thank you for your suggestions. Finding a Chrono under 15mm is not that difficult, actually. To be honest, I found a perfect candidate from my research - Christopher Ward C65. Fully graduated bezel, date, horizontal subdials, 15mm (including the crystal, and with the light catcher case, I’m sure it will wear more like 13mm). However, it’s ‘only’ 150m WR, which is ok for me as I don’t really swim.