Chronographs - why?

[C8PPO]

This question has been buzzing around in my head for a while now so I thought I'd throw it out there (and light the blue touch paper and retire to a safe distance......!)

So, whilst there will always be exceptions, (and I know, this being PH, that there will be instant responses along the lines of "I couldn't possibly function without that tiny 3rd dial on my watch face, it's a matter of life & death"), why in general does anyone need a chronograph watch? For me, all it does is clutter up the face and add unneccesary crowns/buttons to the side. The watch ends up looking a mess (IMO). There are quite a few watches out there which I'd love to own if they made a non-chrono version, but there often isn't this alternative.

Discuss!

[Podie]

I use them for timing things...

[Justayellowbadge]

Podie said:

I use them for timing things...

Wish I'd thought of that...

Can also be used as a 2nd timezone.

[C8PPO]

Yes, but do you REALLY? Regularly? Or did it just come in handy the one time you had an egg on the boil and the kitchen timer battery was flat?

That's my point! I mean, I use a stopwatch about once a year, if at all. There will always be exceptions, as per my OP, but isn't a nice clean face better - apart from trying to look impressive?

[andy_s]

Timing things.

It doesn't have to clutter the face:

No subdials:



(rreuger.ch)

1 Subdial:



(vintagewatch.ca)


(Danomar/ATG)




1 1/2 Subdials:

(Al'/ATG)


2 Subdials:

(RA@watchblogspot)


(Nalu/ATG)


(u/k / orologi)


(CJ/Here)



...plus many more




I use mine pretty much daily, for running mainly.

Edited by andy_s on Thursday 12th January 12:33

[Riff Raff]

I do like that Chronoscope. How big do they wear?

[andy tims]

I love chronographs but hardly ever use the timing function.

I hardly ever use the GMT funtion either, but I like GMT's too.

[Miguel Alvarez]

I've used them in the past when doing DJ mix cds and radio stuff. Never bought them for that purpose mind.

The GMT functions I use quite a bit. I talk to family in the West Indies quite a bit and its just an easy check to see I'm not waking them up when I call/text. Although to be fair I'm sure I'd work it out if I didn't have a GMT watch.

So in anwser to your question I use them because they are there.

[Ikemi]

Sometimes the chronograph version of a non-chronograph watch just looks better Example, Bell & Ross BR02:




I occasionally use the chrono functions on my watch, mainly for timing foods when cooking

[CommanderJameson]

Riff Raff said:

I do like that Chronoscope. How big do they wear?

As it happens, I'm wearing mine today.

It's not a small watch, but it doesn't wear particularly big - certainly not as big as my Chris Ward C8 Mk 1 (42mm) - even though it is all dial.

Of course if you've got twiglets or tree trunks for arms you'll have to figure it out for yourself.

ETA: I've used the chronometer on numerous occasions to time system interaction tests.

Edited by CommanderJameson on Thursday 12th January 14:57

[LukeBird]

CommanderJameson said:

ETA: I've used the chronometerchronograph on numerous occasions to time system interaction tests.

[CommanderJameson]

LukeBird said:

CommanderJameson said:

ETA: I've used the chronometerchronograph on numerous occasions to time system interaction tests.

Oopsie.

Must be time for a cuppa.

[StanLeeKnife]

As said above, in some models the opposite is true. I prefer the look of a chrono TAGHeuer Carrera rather than the simpler non-chrono. Would i use the functions? No. But then i don't use most functions on my car (indicators...joking of course!) such as the sat-nav and phone system.

[Riff Raff]

CommanderJameson said:

Riff Raff said:

I do like that Chronoscope. How big do they wear?

As it happens, I'm wearing mine today.

It's not a small watch, but it doesn't wear particularly big - certainly not as big as my Chris Ward C8 Mk 1 (42mm) - even though it is all dial.

Of course if you've got twiglets or tree trunks for arms you'll have to figure it out for yourself.

ETA: I've used the chronometer on numerous occasions to time system interaction tests.

I wasn't thinking so much across the face, but the height. You see lots of photos of these face on, but I've never seen one side on. It's something I'm a bit wary of now. I bought a Tudor Heritage Chrono sight unseen, and it's a lovely watch, but it is a bit deeper than I'd prefer.

The problem, and problem might not be the right word, with the Chronoscope is that I only know of one place in the UK that sells them, and AFAIK he doesn't have a bricks and mortar shop where I could go and look at one.

[Arrive Alive]

I use the chronograph functions on one or other of this pair daily - which is far more often than I dive below 300m ...

Edited by Arrive Alive on Thursday 12th January 17:27

[CommanderJameson]

Riff Raff said:

CommanderJameson said:

Riff Raff said:

I do like that Chronoscope. How big do they wear?

As it happens, I'm wearing mine today.

It's not a small watch, but it doesn't wear particularly big - certainly not as big as my Chris Ward C8 Mk 1 (42mm) - even though it is all dial.

Of course if you've got twiglets or tree trunks for arms you'll have to figure it out for yourself.

ETA: I've used the chronometer on numerous occasions to time system interaction tests.

I wasn't thinking so much across the face, but the height. You see lots of photos of these face on, but I've never seen one side on. It's something I'm a bit wary of now. I bought a Tudor Heritage Chrono sight unseen, and it's a lovely watch, but it is a bit deeper than I'd prefer.

The problem, and problem might not be the right word, with the Chronoscope is that I only know of one place in the UK that sells them, and AFAIK he doesn't have a bricks and mortar shop where I could go and look at one.

It doesn't ride particularly high on the wrist, given that it's basically a Valjoux 7750 movement. The streamlined curves make it very sleek.

[Scalper]

C8PPO said:

This question has been buzzing around in my head for a while now so I thought I'd throw it out there (and light the blue touch paper and retire to a safe distance......!)

So, whilst there will always be exceptions, (and I know, this being PH, that there will be instant responses along the lines of "I couldn't possibly function without that tiny 3rd dial on my watch face, it's a matter of life & death"), why in general does anyone need a chronograph watch? For me, all it does is clutter up the face and add unneccesary crowns/buttons to the side. The watch ends up looking a mess (IMO). There are quite a few watches out there which I'd love to own if they made a non-chrono version, but there often isn't this alternative.

Discuss!

Who needs a chronograph nowadays? Absolutely nobody
But doesn't the same hold true for any other horological complication?
Does anybody really need a perpetual calendar? A minute repeater? A tourbillon? A grand sonnerie? An equation of time?

The fact is that we are fascinated by the complexities of these little mechanical marvels, and the more complex they are the more fascinating they become. Adding a chronograph is just one of the many ways to complicate a watch

[Janesy B]

I just like them, no other reason really. Does everyone use every single feature on their phone or computer? Probably not.

[GenePoolReject13]

I quite like the look of a chronograph but I barely ever use the functions. I also like a nice watch or 2 and like to wear a nice watch but I have to say that more often than not I check the time on the computer screen or my phone so do I really need a watch? yes, because I like them!

I suppose its more a matter of taste than anything else.

[C8PPO]

Scalper said:

The fact is that we are fascinated by the complexities of these little mechanical marvels, and the more complex they are the more fascinating they become.

Now THAT makes sense, thank you!