Following our inaugural complication buying guide in the previous issue (the calendar complication), we train our sights on what is arguably the most desirable of all complications, at every level: the chronograph. By all means, do not just take our word for it. According to the Federation of Swiss Watchmaking, it is one of the two top-selling complications in all Swiss watch exports.
The chronograph has achieved this level of popularity for good reason. The complication is highly functional, even for daily use. Secondly, the designs of chronograph wristwatches are aesthetically pleasing. Finally, the pedigree of the complication is attractive, given the many events chronographs were associated with. These days, it is mainly brands that are tied in with events, rather than individual models.
Historically, the chronograph was heavily linked with motorsports, thanks to Rolex and Heuer developing the complication, and those two brands’ involvement with the sport. This saw the birth of icons such as the Rolex Cosmograph Daytona and TAG Heuer Monaco (as well as our cover stars, the TAG Heuer Carrera anniversary models). After all, it is the absolute truth of the stopwatch that tells you whether you have done a good job at the races.
The space race too played a prominent role, allowing one brand to overtake all others in high-speed stakes. Although the Omega Speedmaster Professional was made for the racetrack, it came into its own in the US space programme. Heck, it is still shooting for the stars now. The historical feats of NASA astronauts and stories of Omega’s mission-saving moments catapulted not only the brand but the chronograph complication into (literal) stardom.
STOP AND RESET
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Denne historien er fra Summer 2020-utgaven av World of Watches.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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EASY COMPANY
Hamilton launches the new Khaki Field Quartz collection that takes its inspiration from the G.S.watches of the 1960s.
SPIRITED AWAY
The year of the dragon is not yet over and Franck Muller's new watch will remind you once again why this year is a great Chinese zodiac year for watches.
LUNAR TIES
Blancpain resumes its deep-seated romance with the moon through the Bathyscaphe Quantième Complet Phases de Lune in black ceramic.
USEFUL BREAKTHROUGH
With the Elux LAB-ID PAM01800, Panerai has delivered the smartest and brightest dive watch ever made.
SHIELD KING
Seiko reveals a new take on a King Seiko classic, the KS1969, thus bringing back an intriguing shape to the collection.
FRENCH EXPRESS
Louis Vuitton extends their new philosophy of watchmaking unveiling the dressier Escale collection.
PUSHING BOUNDARIES
Patek Philippe brings their patented system to synchronise the date display on a world time watch to their regular collection.
APROPOS COMPLICATIONS
A watch with complications appeals to different sorts of collectors, and is quite different to a complex watch. The editors of Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand discuss the virtues of all sorts of complications and considering when more is really better…
KEEPING IT REAL
Technology proves to be a solid tool for luxury watch brands in their fight against mounting cases of fake timepieces and watch thefts.
GLOWUP
A brightly lumed dial in pitch-black darkness is equal parts joy and fascination, have you ever wondered where your Super-LumiNova comes from?