Chronographs, which combine sophisticated mechanisms, design, and functionality, are one of the most popular wristwatch models. To experience the appeal of chronographs, we will introduce basic functions, how to use the meters, and popular models.
Chronograph Basics
To understand what a chronograph is, let's first take a look at its basic mechanism and history.
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A chronograph is a wristwatch or pocket watch with a stopwatch function. Generally, it has a smaller dial (sub-dial) inside the regular dial, and is used to measure time different from the clock itself.
Wristwatches equipped with chronographs can not only tell the time but also accurately measure elapsed time, making them useful for a variety of purposes, such as timing meeting times or parking meters.
In addition, there are chronographs that can measure not only elapsed time, but also distance, speed, and pulse rate, so chronographs have the ability to quantify information that is important to the owner.
Not only that, the multiple hands moving on the dial are visually appealing, and have continued to fascinate many watch enthusiasts.
The History of the Chronograph
"Chronograph" is a combination of the Greek words "Cronos" (time) and "graphos" (to write).
Watchmaker Nicolas Rieussec is said to have created the first commercial chronograph in 1821, but there is also a theory that Louis Moinet created a chronograph for astronomical observations that could measure to 1/60th of a second in 16.
As the 20th century began, the mainstream of watches shifted from pocket watches to wristwatches in response to the demand for people who wanted to be able to see the time without having to worry about their hands during World War I. Then, in 1915, the world's first wristwatch equipped with a chronograph was born.
In the 30s, the current design, with operating buttons located above and below the crown, appeared and was used in a variety of situations, including athletics and medical care.
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) made chronograph wristwatches standard equipment for its astronauts, and they have continued to evolve over time.
Main types of meters
Some chronograph models have a meter with letters and scales on the bezel, and the type of meter greatly affects the functionality of the chronograph.
Let's take a look at the types of meters and functions that chronographs have.
A tachymeter that calculates average speed
The tachymeter is a function that can measure average speed per kilometer, and has been used in situations where it is necessary to measure times less than one second, such as in races and space flights.
For example, start the chronograph while driving a car and stop it when the car has traveled 1 km. The markings on the bezel where the chronograph hand points at then indicate the average speed.
It is often used in sports models such as the Omega Speedmaster and Tag Heuer Carrera, which are considered to be some of the most famous chronograph watches.
Telemeter for calculating distance
The telemeter is another typical function of the chronograph, measuring distance using the difference in the speed of light and sound.
It's simple to use: press the start button when you see the light, and stop when you hear the sound. The number the chronograph hand points to at that time is the distance between your current location and the source of the light.
This was primarily used during wartime to measure the distance between the point where artillery fires and the point where the shells hit.
Most chronographs are equipped with a tachymeter, and it is rare to find one equipped with a telemeter alone.
