Watch Insider’s Top 10 Chronographs And Best Chronograph Watches


Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Compressor Chronograph CeramicThis is my Top 10 Chronograph Watches list and my personal selection of Best Chronograph Watches that I have compiled for my blog, Watch-Insider.com. 

Right off the bat, let me clarify that this is an alphabetical listing and not a ranking. No jury has voted, no one has whispered anything into my ear, and — most importantly — no brand has paid me to be listed here. If you would like more information about one of the watches on the list, please use the search function on my blog. I have reported on all of them during the past eleven months, and you are likely to find many more pictures and additional technical information on them. Many of the watches have also been covered separately here on WatchTime.com. Finally, I am interested in your own feedback. Which chronograph watches presented recently were your favorites? Please use the comments section to let us all know what you think.

Alpina Alpiner4 Chronograph: To me, one of the best newcomers. The Alpina brand finally discovers its history — which dates to 1883 — and produces good-looking, high-quality sports watches for a very fair price. Yes, there is “only” a Sellita SW500 movement under the dial rather than an in-house movement, but in the end, who cares? The Sellita SW 500 happens to be a very good chronograph caliber. The prices start around $3,495.

Alpina Alpiner 4 Chronograph
Alpina Alpiner 4 Chronograph

Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Chronograph: Still one of the coolest chronographs on earth. There is no need to reinvent an icon. In this cool new new blue execution, the Royal OakOffshore’s engine is the in-house Caliber 3120, upon which AP adds a chronograph module produced by Dubois-Dépraz. Yes, some might say that the price is unacceptable for a watch with a modular movement, but since AP is still working on its own fully integrated chronograph caliber, there is no alternative at the moment. The price: $25,600.

Audemars Piguet Royal Oak-Offshore Chronograph
Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Chronograph

Blancpain Ocean Commitment Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe Chronographe Flyback: I fall to my knees before this chronograph: so beautiful and — technically speaking — such a fascinating timepiece. The blue color is just gorgeous. The Bathyscaphe is powered by the 5-Hz-Blancpain Caliber F385. The balance wheel fulfills 36,000 semi-oscillations per hour; its balance spring is made of silicon. The price: 16,000 euros including tax.

Blancpain Ocean Commitment Bathyscaphe Chronographe Flyback
Blancpain Ocean Commitment Bathyscaphe Chronographe Flyback

Breitling Chronomat 44 Raven: The Chronomat is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year and Breitling presented different special editions of that iconic watch. This is the one I like the most. Everyone should have a chance to see this watch live at least once. If you put it on your wrist, be careful: you will fall in love with it. The Breitling Chronomat 44 Raven is powered by the COSC-certified, in-house Caliber 01. The price: $9,825.

Breitling Chronomat 44 Raven
Breitling Chronomat 44 Raven

De Bethune DB29 Maxichrono Tourbillon: This represents a truly unconventional approach in making a chronograph – in every sense. The timepiece has been executed at a stunning level. You aren’t likely to find a better-looking chronograph caliber, except perhaps from A. Lange & Söhne or Patek Philippe. The DB29 Maxichrono is superlative, as is its price of $270,000.

De Bethune DB29 Maxichrono Tourbillon

Glashütte Original Senator Chronograph Panorama Date: Finally, the Saxon brand has added a fully integrated automatic chronograph caliber to its collection. The entirely new, in-house-developed movement, Caliber 37-01, can be produced for a reasonable price, so the models equipped with it can be sold at fair prices. The prices start at $31,500. for the watch in a rose-gold case. The movement is used in GO’s Seventies Chronograph, which is sold at a lower price point, but I much prefer the Senator.

Glashutte Original Senator-Chronograph Panorama Date
Glashütte Original Senator Chronograph Panorama Date
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  1. I enjoy looking at the pretty photos of expensive watches in Watch Time. I mean who doesn’t. But this magazine is more fantasy than reality. Some part of me also abhors these emails I signed up for…because I am tired of seeing watches consistently >$10,000. I mean, I make a decent living, but who has the discretionary to buy these watches? Seriously “watch insiders” can you pick some watches that aren’t $270,000.
    ~Matt

    Reply
    • Well said, unfortunately it leads to losing interest because all I see is reviews and specs of things I will never have. Not to critizise just an opinion, but for me u$s 2000 is not affordable.

      Reply
    • What the hell are you talking about? Who wants to see a review of Fiat Multipla? Or some other crappy totally ordinary car that you see thousands around every day?

      The same goes for watches…if you want to admire citizens, casios and other crap, go elsewhere…world of watches is not obviously for you.

      We are here to see beautiful and extraordinary timepieces and unfortunately for you (and thankfully for us), these are rare and expensive. And that is the point.

      Reply
  2. Carl Dreher

    For the most part, I find these watches clunky, too busy and overwrought. Compare it to my original Omega Speedmaster, with its black face, simple white hands and subtle outer scale markings, these chronographs just look to be trying too hard. They may have technical features that far surpass the old Speedmaster, but aesthetically, they can’t compete.

    The exception is the Glausutte, which is the only one I find elegant, clean and functional.

    Reply
  3. Great choices. All great watches.
    Now, question to you; if you were to recommend one affordable non quartz chronograph watch; which one would you pick?

    Reply
    • I think Longines is always a good choice…their Master collection chronograph is a joy…

      Reply
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