4 things to know about a chronograph watch

Sure, it’s nice to have a watch that looks nice, but what about a timepiece that does so much more for you than simply making people look twice?

Enter the chronograph watch, timekeepers’ favourite tool of the trade that’s as practical as it is beautiful.

If you’re thinking of buying one, there’s often a little more thought that might need to go into it, like these top 4 most considered topics.

Time is of the essence

The most standout feature of chronographs is their ability to time and track the time. Whether you’re timing how long your dinner’s been in the oven, or need your watch to alert you when it’s time to ring someone back, they meet the mark perfectly.

Can you see me?

More often than not, aesthetic takes precedence over practicality and this can be the case with chronograph watches. With faces and their details taking a further backseat than ever before, consider how you’ll use the many functions of the watch before reaching for the wallet. Think: big legible numbers, tactile buttons and an overall readable face. Consider going up a size to really maximise the functionality of your new time piece, too.

Let’s go on a date

Unless you’re working with a photographic memory and can summon the image of a calendar before your very eyes, you might need something to help you remember what day of the week it is. Or date!

And in lieu of the handy mobile phone, a chronograph watch like the Pioneer from Nordgreen does the trick.

With as many stylish options as there are gaudy out there, it’s important to think about how often you’ll check it and how much info you need per glance. Perhaps the whole date? Maybe just the day? The choice is yours and there are ample.

Let’s count the meters

Heard of a tachymeter? Probably not. But, they’re good to know about, because its an addition of the chronograph that’s worthwhile for some. It allows you to calculate speed over a known distance and is handy if you’re a pilot, driver, runner… anything that goes places!

Most tachymeter scales start at 400, located at about eight seconds on the dial, and end at 60, at 60 seconds, or 12 O’clock. A simple example of tachymeter use involves determining the speed of a car, where time and distance are known. Start the chronograph when the car passes a mile or kilometer marker, and stop the chronograph when the car passes the next marker. Look at where the chronograph seconds hand points on the tachymeter scale, and that number represents the car’s speed.

So as you’ll notice, there’s quite a bit to consider about the chronograph watch before jumping into your first purchase, but make the right choice and you’ll not only have a reliable watch, but one that will be with you for life. And always have a use!