One of the most popular features of a wristwatch is the chronograph function. Often watches with this function are simply called chronograph. Before talking about some of the notable chronographs from different manufacturers, let's take a quick look at what they are all about?
A chronograph and a chronometer are not the same thing!
Yes, this is the very first thing to keep in mind. Chronometers are called especially accurate watches, regardless of their functional content. For example, in the XNUMXth century, a number of outstanding masters created marine chronometers for the needs of their countries, and indeed of all mankind. In those days, a map of the world and its parts was just being created, it was necessary to accurately determine the geographic coordinates of the ship during ocean voyages and, accordingly, accurately map the seas, continents, archipelagos ... To determine the geographic longitude, precise instruments for determining the time were required - chronometers. And such watchmakers as the Englishman Arnold and the Frenchman Berthou successfully coped with the task.
A chronograph is something else entirely. This is a device that allows you to measure finite intervals of time. For example, the time it took a horse to cover the racetrack circle. Start - and you press one button, the countdown has started. Finish - press another button, the countdown has stopped, you can read the readings.
Two masters, Nicolas Riossec and Louis Moinet, claim the honor of the invention of a portable - at that time (early XNUMXth century) pocket - chronograph. Well, that is, they themselves have not claimed anything for a long time, but disputes about priority are still ongoing. We, however, will not go into these discussions: both fellows!
How does a chronograph work?
In the most common case, it works like this. On the watch case, in addition to the crown, there are two more buttons. And on the dial, in addition to the hour and minute hands of the current time, there are small counters - as a rule, one of them also refers to the current time, this is the second hand. A couple of others are just chronograph counters, one of them counts the minutes (most often it is 30 minutes), the other - the hours. The central hand is responsible for seconds. In everyday terminology, it is a stopwatch built into a full-fledged watch.
So you've pressed the button and the countdown has begun. Clicked again - this is stop. Pressed another - returned everything to zero, you can start over. There are also varieties. For example, there are one-button chronographs, in which the counting and control of time intervals is carried out by means of a series of presses of a single button built into the crown. There are flyback-chronographs, their return to zero does not require additional pressing. Finally, there are split-chronographs, they are distinguished by the presence of two seconds, which allows you to measure two processes at the same time.
Naturally, in the "era of digitalization" you can do without any arrows, just numbers are enough. What can I say ... a matter of taste! Classic hand chronographs look stylish and imposing, they are, among other things, also attractive accessories that can complement the image of their owner. By the way, about the accuracy of measurements: of course, electronics are more accurate than mechanics, but such serious watch companies as, for example, TAG Heuer, Seiko, etc., already a hundred years ago taught mechanics to recognize tenths of a second, then hundredths, and now they have reached thousandths!
Jacques lemans derby
The watches are made in Austria, they work on a quartz movement, the dial layout is classic. At the bottom of the dial there is a small seconds hand, at 9 o'clock there is a 30-minute counter, at 3 o'clock there is a 24-hour counter. The size of the watch is quite moderate (42 mm), but in general it looks quite masculine. And plus the date window at "4.30". Let's pay attention to the water resistance of the case - 100 m is already a lot; it is not uncommon for a watch with a chronograph function to have a good water resistance, because both are a sign of sporty style.
Emporio armani luigi
Exactly the same dial layout. True, the water resistance is smaller (50 m), but the dimensions are larger (46 mm). And the Italians also put this model on an attractive Milanese bracelet - both beautiful and very comfortable. That's what I would like - it's a slightly more noticeable date aperture at the same "4.30".
Swiss Military Hanowa Chrono Classic II
The manufacturer, of course, is Swiss, and quite respectable; The "engine" inside this watch is quartz, but also Swiss - Ronda 5030. The date is still at "4.30" (and can be distinguished here quite confidently), and the small second and the hour counter of the chronograph have changed places: the first moved to "3 o'clock", the second , respectively, by "6". Actually, there are no preferences in this sense - both are normal. The fact that the counter of the Swiss model is not 24, but 12-hour does not really matter either - it is more than enough.
Sapphire crystal, case - nice 45 mm, luminescent dial, water resistance - 100 m, and chronograph buttons are given a comfortable and nice mushroom shape - all this is definitely good!
Citizen Eco Drive
We got to Japan, and immediately went to a slightly different class - in terms of technology. True, the prices are higher, but they are still far from prohibitive. So what's so technological about it? First of all - a quartz movement powered by a solar battery, proprietary Eco-Drive technology (by the way, Citizen was a pioneer!).
Well, the rest of the important differences from the previous models are, rather, ergonomics. So, the small second at 6 o'clock, the 60-minute counter at 9, but at 3 o'clock - this has nothing to do with the chronograph! It's just a current timeline, but a 24-hour one that lets you know if it's day or night. Rather, before noon or after. A useful feature. And the sapphire crystal and 43mm titanium case, water-resistant up to 100 m, are also pleasing! And, of course, the stopwatch accuracy is up to 1/5 sec.!
Seiko CS Sports
This Japanese watch giant will not be inferior to anyone in quality, whether it be about mechanics or about classics, about a democratic price segment or about luxury. Here we have a very affordable price, because quartz, stopwatch accuracy 1/5 sec., Excellently thought out and perfectly illuminated dial (and, as a bonus, a beautiful shade), a steel case almost 44 mm in diameter - for almost any man's wrist, branded tempered glass Hardlex ... everything is just very, very nice.
Successful measurements!
