Chronograph watches

Chronograph watches have an additional mechanism for measuring and displaying elapsed time. This especially useful complication calls for an elaborate construction, particularly in its most noble form, the "column-wheel" chronograph.

The chronograph is one of the most recent complications, appearing only in the nineteenth century. Indeed, watchmakers had other considerations to contend with first, namely achieving adequate precision and finding a way to stop and start a hand without also stopping the movement ("independent seconds"). The first chronograph, by Rieussec, dates from 1822. It recorded times to a fifth of a second by depositing a drop of ink on the dial, hence its name from the Greek chronos (time) and grapho (I write). The return-to-zero function appeared towards the middle of the nineteenth century. Now with its three essential functions of start, stop and return-to-zero, the chronograph came into its own in numerous domains, including science, technology and competition sport. The first wrist-chronographs were worn circa 1915. Like their pocket counterparts, they had just one button, usually in the crown, for all three functions. The second reset button followed in 1934. 1969 saw the first self-winding chronograph movements. The majority of chronographs use a cam to coordinate the chronograph functions. The more sophisticated use a “column wheel”, a distinguishing feature of superior quality chronographs. Further distinction can be made between “integrated” chronographs and “separate” modules that have been grafted onto the movement. Single pushpiece (monopoussoir) chronographs are a feat of mechanics, as the same button must successively start, stop and reset the chronograph hand. The chronograph rides the vanguard of the mechanical watch revival of the late nineteen-eighties and has inspired all manner of technical and aesthetic innovations. Still, only a very few Manufactures make their chronograph movements themselves.

Important
“Chronograph” and “chronometer” should not be confused. A chronometer is a watch whose movement has been certified by an official body as attaining a high standard of precision. While a chronograph can be certified as a chronometer, not all chronometers are chronographs.