The chronograph is the original "complication"—a stopwatch function added to a wristwatch. Today, most owners never time anything, but the chronograph remains the most popular complication for one simple reason: it looks incredible. Those subdials, pushers, and tachymeter bezels create visual interest that simple time-only watches can't match.
This guide covers the best chronographs at every price point, from affordable mechanicals to grail-level icons.
Chronograph Basics
- Subdials: Small dials showing elapsed seconds, minutes, and hours
- Pushers: Buttons to start/stop/reset the chronograph function
- Tachymeter: Bezel scale for measuring speed based on time over a known distance
- Column-wheel: Higher-end mechanism with smoother pusher feel
- Cam-actuated: Simpler mechanism, more affordable, slightly less smooth
Under $1,000: Affordable Excellence
Seiko SSB Chronograph Series
$250 - $400
Seiko's quartz chronographs offer Japanese reliability at unbeatable prices. The SSB series includes motorsport-inspired designs with 100m water resistance. Quartz means accuracy and no winding required—perfect for daily use.
Best for: Budget buyers, daily beaters, quartz reliability seekers
Dan Henry 1964
$250 - $290
Vintage racing chronograph aesthetics at microbrand prices. The 1964 channels 1960s motorsport timing with panda dial options, domed crystal, and meca-quartz movement (mechanical feel with quartz accuracy). The included watch roll adds value.
Best for: Vintage aesthetic lovers, value seekers, smaller wrists
Tissot PRX Chronograph
$595
The PRX design language extended to a chronograph. Quartz-powered for accuracy and slim profile, with the integrated bracelet that made the PRX a viral sensation. Swiss-made at under $600 is remarkable.
Best for: PRX fans, modern design lovers, integrated bracelet seekers
$1,000 - $3,000: Serious Swiss Chronographs
Hamilton Intra-Matic Chronograph H
$2,295 (Grey: ~$1,600)
1960s racing aesthetics with modern Swiss automatic movement. The Intra-Matic Chronograph H channels vintage panda dials with its reverse-panda option being particularly striking. 60-hour power reserve from the H-31 caliber.
Best for: Vintage racing fans, American heritage seekers
Longines Spirit Chronograph
$2,875 (Grey: ~$2,100)
COSC-certified chronograph with silicon hairspring at under $3,000 retail. The Spirit line channels aviation heritage with clean, legible design. Excellent value when purchased at grey market prices.
Best for: Aviation enthusiasts, grey market value seekers
Sinn 356 Pilot
$2,360
German tool watch perfection. The 356 is a no-nonsense pilot's chronograph with Sinn's signature technologies—dehumidifying capsule, Ar-filled case, tegiment hardening. This is a chronograph built for actual use.
Best for: Tool watch enthusiasts, pilots, German engineering fans
💡 Chronograph Thickness
Automatic chronographs are inherently thick—14-15mm is common. If you want a thinner chronograph, consider manual-wind (like the Speedmaster Professional at 13.2mm) or quartz. The added complexity of automatic winding plus chronograph mechanism requires case depth.
$3,000 - $7,000: Premium Territory
Omega Speedmaster Professional "Moonwatch"
$6,900 (Grey: ~$4,800)
The first watch on the moon. The Speedmaster Professional has been in continuous production since 1957 and remains essentially unchanged. Manual-wind Calibre 3861, hesalite crystal, and legendary status. This is the chronograph by which all others are judged.
Best for: History buffs, NASA fans, iconic watch seekers
TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph Heuer 02
$5,150 (Grey: ~$3,000)
The Carrera named after the dangerous Carrera Panamericana road race. The Heuer 02 movement offers 80-hour power reserve with column-wheel chronograph. Grey market pricing makes this exceptional value for an in-house chronograph.
Best for: Motorsport enthusiasts, grey market value seekers
Tudor Black Bay Chrono
$5,225
Tudor's in-house chronograph with Rolex-level build quality. The MT5813 movement (developed with Breitling) offers 70-hour power reserve in a vintage-inspired package. No grey market discounts, but excellent value at retail.
Best for: Tudor fans, vintage racing aesthetic, Rolex-quality seekers
Zenith Chronomaster Sport
$9,600 (Grey: ~$6,500)
The El Primero movement—launched in 1969—beats at 36,000 vph, enabling 1/10th second timing precision. The Chronomaster Sport modernizes this legendary caliber with ceramic bezel and contemporary proportions. For chronograph purists, this is the one.
Best for: Movement enthusiasts, high-beat fans, chronograph purists
$8,000 - $15,000: Luxury Icons
Breitling Navitimer B01 Chronograph
$9,350 (Grey: ~$5,500)
The pilot's icon since 1952. The slide rule bezel actually functions—pilots used it for flight calculations before digital instruments. The B01 in-house movement (70-hour reserve) powers this aviation legend.
Best for: Aviation enthusiasts, pilots, functional complication seekers
IWC Portugieser Chronograph
$8,950 (Grey: ~$6,000)
Clean, elegant chronograph design inspired by precision marine chronometers. The Portugieser's 41mm case and clean dial make it one of the most versatile luxury chronographs—equally at home with suits or casual wear.
Best for: Dressy chronograph seekers, clean design lovers
$15,000+: The Summit
Rolex Daytona
$15,100+ (Secondary: $25,000+)
The most sought-after chronograph in the world. The Daytona is essentially unobtainable at retail for most buyers, with secondary market prices 50-100% above MSRP. If you can get one, it's the benchmark luxury sports chronograph.
Best for: Rolex enthusiasts, investment potential, ultimate status
A. Lange & Söhne Datograph
$55,000+
German haute horlogerie chronograph perfection. The Datograph's manually-wound L951.1 movement is finished to standards that rival anything in watchmaking. The flyback chronograph, big date, and outsize date create functional complexity with visual harmony.
Best for: Serious collectors, movement aficionados, grail seekers
Patek Philippe Nautilus Chronograph 5980
$55,000+ (Secondary: $100,000+)
The luxury sports chronograph at its ultimate expression. The Nautilus silhouette combined with flyback chronograph creates a watch that's essentially impossible to acquire through normal channels. This is grail territory.
Best for: Ultimate collectors, investment pieces, unicorn hunters
Our Top Picks by Budget
- Under $500: Dan Henry 1964 — vintage aesthetics, meca-quartz value
- $500-1,000: Tissot PRX Chrono — Swiss quality, modern design
- $1,000-3,000: Sinn 356 — German tool watch excellence
- $3,000-7,000: Omega Speedmaster Professional — the icon, grey market value
- $7,000-15,000: Zenith Chronomaster Sport — El Primero excellence
- $15,000+: Rolex Daytona (if available) or A. Lange Datograph
🏆 The Value King
The Omega Speedmaster Professional at grey market prices (~$4,800) offers moon-landing heritage, in-house manual-wind movement, and iconic status at nearly half the price of a Rolex Daytona (which you can't even buy at retail). It's the greatest chronograph value in luxury watches.