BUY CHRONOGRAPH WATCHES ? YOU MUST KNOW THE FOLLOWING

GUIDELINES FOR BUYING CHRONOGRAPH WATCHES

History - Chronograph was invented by a french man called Louis Moinet in the year 1816 as an astronomical equipment. It was another french man Nicolas Mathieu Rieussec who made it into a commercial  product in the year 1821.First it was used to measure the timing of each race in horse race by the order of King Louis XVIII of France.

Early versions of chronograph used a pen to to mark on the round dial. The elapsed time was calculated by the length of the arc created by the pen.The round dials were affixed with numbers. In the year 1969, Breitling, Hamilton and Heuer the three watch and chronograph manufacturing companies collaborated to design the first automatic chronograph watch. It was powered by the energy absorbed by the motion of walking and arm movements. The latest types of chronograph watches are digital versions powered by batteries. The leaders in modern chronograph watch makers  are Seiko, Casio, Tissot, citizen and Pulsar. brands like Kenneth Cole, Heuer, IWC, Movado and Omega are famous for higher end and designer brands.

Specific time measurements can done by a chronograph watch. This is possible with the sub dials inside the main dial. The main dial will have the general time keeping function and the sub dials are designed for different functions like to measure the fractions of  a second, minutes and hours etc. Chronograph watches have inbuilt telemeter and tachometer to measure the distance and speed respectively.  

Chronograph watch is famous for its accuracy and precision and is made for the special purpose of precision measurement of time within tenth or hundredth of a second. We have to both consider the style and the money going to spent on this gadget so that we get maximum value for our purchase. Definitely it  should have the elegant look and at the same time have full functionality, manufacturing quality with all accuracy and precision.  

1.  High Accuracy

When we think of chronograph watches, the first thing come into our mind is its accuracy. It is advisable to buy a chronograph watch with a certified chronometer. Chronometer accuracy is tested and certified by the Swiss instrument laboratory, The Control Official Suisse Chronometers (COSC).

2. Materials

 The case has to protect the dial and the complex machine inside.  The case of the watch is mostly made of metals. Please ensure that the case is strong and durable enough to protect the dial and watch’s machine. Most popular metal is stainless steel because it is attractive and resists stain and tarnish and also economical comparing to titanium, platinum and gold. Titanium is more popular because of its light weight and durability. The high-end luxury models of chronograph watches are using either gold or platinum casings.

Watch bands are normally available in two styles, straps and bracelets. Interlocking metal links are used make a bracelet watch band where as fabric, synthetic rubber, leather or nylon is used for straps. Leather straps goes well with casual and formal dresses. Fabric straps and fine faux leather straps are also very common in the market.

The transparent  tight fitted cover over the face of the watch is known as the crystal. Material used for  the crystal of a chronograph watch may vary depend on the brand, style and price. The face of the watch is often exposed to shocks, blows and impact with hard surfaces, the crystal has to be strong enough to withstand those conditions. Or the crystal will easily scratched and broken. Sometimes the crystal damages would be  worst that the chronograph watch become beyond repair.

Normally there are four types of materials used for making the crystal of a chronograph watch. Sapphire, synthetic sapphire, mineral and plastic. Natural sapphire is very expensive very hard , but it is very brittle and fragile. But synthetic sapphire is non brittle and rugged makes a better choice for chronograph watch crystals.

 Quartz operated watches is a must where precision reading of time is required. A mechanically operated watch may error many seconds in a day while the quartz operated watches will hardly loose few seconds in a year. Batteries are used to power the quartz operated watches. Quartz operated chronograph watches are affordable and very cost effective. 

A mechanically operated watch depends a spring for the movement of needles. We have to wound the spring using the crown in the case. The energy released when the spring unwinds powers the watch. Well designed mechanical watch can last a life time. Mechanically operated chronograph watches are quite expensive because they are specially designed and crafted artistic wonders.

Automatic watches are mechanically operated watches only, but you do not have to wind the watch. Automatic chronograph watches uses the kinetic energy of wearer’s arm movement to wind the spring mechanism. Automatic system holds the major share of all high end and luxurious chronograph watches available in the market. 

How to choose the right dial size?

Recent survey shows that over 90% of men prefer to were watches with dial size from 40mm to 44 mm. So you can choose within this size. 

But if you want to select the proper size please follow the steps below.......

It can be determined by the ratio of your wrist size to the dial size. The ratio should be between 4 and 5. If the ratio is less than 4, then the dial will be too large and if it is more than 5 , it will be too small for your wrist. 

For example if your wrist size is 160 mm and you want to buy a watch of dial size of 38 mm, the ratio will be 160/38 = 4.2 or if your wrist size is 160 mm , your suitable dial size will be 32 mm - 40 mm. 

If you have a slim wrist but with flat shape, you should select watches with size index slightly less than 4.

Dial size index doesn't matters for sports and diving watches.

Thick watches should not be selected , if you have a small wrist.

Round shaped  watches will always looks smaller than square shaped watches.

Rectangle and oval shaped watches will help you to measure your wist horizontally.

Chronograph watches are very water resistant, especially designed for sports and diving .

You should buy chronograph watches which can resist water for 100 meters for use of swimming or bathing under the shower heads. 

There are many varieties of chronograph watches in the market with many features and differing price tags. But for a decent chronograph watch you should spend at least 100 dollars.