The hand wound chronograph is to a watch aficionado and enthusiast as the M badge is to a BMW fanatic. In essence, it's borderline a defining prerogative to any serious watch collector to add a manually wound chronograph to their collection at some point in their collecting journey. The joy of winding any hand wound watch is incomparable and very personal, but add a genuinely high end chronograph to the mix and what you have is a recipe for horological intertwinement and connection.
Here are som of the best truly high end hand wound chronographs that money can buy.
Patek Philippe 5172G Chronograph
Brand: Patek Philippe
Model: Chronograph
Reference: 5172G-001
Case: 41mm x 11.45mm
Case Material: White Gold
Water Resistance: 30m
Calibre: CH 29-535 PS
Calibre Provenance: Manufacture
Frequency: 4 Hz
Power Reserve: 65 hours
The successor to one of my favourite all-time watches in the 5170, the Patek Philippe 5172G Chronograph is Patek's answer to the market's demands: A manually wound chronograph that is timeless, classical and generational. The Patek Philippe 5172G Chronograph is a fantastic piece who's prowess lies on the caseback side where the CH 29-535 PS calibre is on full display. Beautiful, subtle and ultimately a wonderful example of a truly high end hand wound chronograph.
Vacheron Constantin Cornes De Vache 1955
Brand: Vacheron Constantin
Model: Cornes De Vache 1955
Reference: 5000H/000R-B059
Case: 38.50mm x 10.90mm
Case Material: Pink Gold
Water Resistance: 30m
Calibre: 1142
Calibre Provenance: Manufacture
Frequency: 3 Hz
Power Reserve: 48 hours
From Vacheron Constantin we have the Cornes De Vache 1955. With its distinct lugs, the Vacheron Constantin Cornes De Vache 1955 is by far the most classical looking hand wound chronograph in this list. Its proportions are fantastic, its details are aplenty and the finishing of the 1142 hand wound chronograph calibre is second to none. Just superb.
A. Lange & Söhne Datograph Up/Down
Brand: A. Lange & Söhne
Model: Datograph Up/Down
Reference: 405.035
Case: 41mm x 13.10mm
Case Material: Platinum
Water Resistance: 30m
Calibre: L951.6
Calibre Provenance: Manufacture
Frequency: 2.5 Hz
Power Reserve: 60 hours
Arguably the king of the hand wound chronograph, the A. Lange & Söhne Datograph Up/Down remains high up on the list of all-time greats in watchmaking. I can attribute the A. Lange & Söhne Datograph Up/Down's brilliance to the maison's unwavering pursuit of quality, finishing and horological prowess. Without a doubt one of the ultimate hand wound chronograph grails.
Breguet 7077 Tradition Chronographe Indépendant
Brand: Breguet
Model: Tradition Chronographe Indépendant
Reference: 7077BB/G1/9XV
Case: 44mm x 13.95mm
Case Material: White Gold
Water Resistance: 30m
Calibre: 580 DR
Calibre Provenance: Manufacture
Frequency: 3 Hz
Power Reserve: 55 hours
The avant garde Breguet 7077 Tradition Chronographe Indépendant comes in as the only openworked hand wound chronograph in this list. It's a beautiful rendition of a traditional manually wound chronograph paired with the eccentricities of Breguet's openworking brilliance. The Breguet 7077 Tradition Chronographe Indépendant is about as unconventional as they make them, but in its own right an absolute grail of a hand wound chronograph.
A. Lange & Söhne 1815 Chronograph Boutique Edition
Brand: A. Lange & Söhne
Model: 1815 Chronograph
Reference: 414.026
Case: 39.50mm x 11mm
Case Material: White Gold
Water Resistance: 30m
Calibre: L951.5
Calibre Provenance: Manufacture
Frequency: 2.5 Hz
Power Reserve: 60 hours
Last but definitely not least is the A. Lange & Söhne 1815 Chronograph Boutique Edition. In any of its many iterations, the 1815 Chronograph is utterly magnificent. While it lacks the industrial charm of the Datograph, the 1815 Chronograph is known by many as the quieter, more inconspicuous and more classical take on the traditional hand wound chronograph.
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