The beauty of the chronograph lies in its complicated and obsolete nature. Because, let's be real, who really needs a mechanical timing device? For those of us who do, I've compiled a list of the best daily chronograph watches that money can buy, period. We've got the venerable Royal Oak, the silky smooth Nautilus, the best-of-both-worlds Overseas, as well as a handful of exciting, avant-garde and otherwise often overlooked chronograph watches that all fit the bill of being some of the best pieces in their class.
Enjoy.
Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Chronograph
Reference: 26240ST.OO.1320ST.06
Material: Stainless Steel
Dimensions: 41mm x 12.40mm
Movement: Calibre 4401
Water Resistance: 50m
The iconic Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Chronograph stands head and shoulders above most, if not all of the chronographs in this list. It's one of the most recognisable, most spoken about, most heavily lauded and most interesting of all the chronographs. It combines genuinely sound watchmaking with a storied past, clean and sharp lines, finishing distinction and an air of superiority amongst its peers.
Hublot Big Bang Integrated Chronograph
Reference: 451.NX.1170.NX
Material: Titanium
Dimensions: 42mm
Movement: HUB1280
Water Resistance: 100m
The fantastic Hublot Big Bang Integrated Chronograph comes in next, with the almost perfect blend of aesthetics and mechanics. The result is one of the best watches to come out of the Hublot maison in recent years, and it's a piece whose prowess and effect needs to be felt in the metal to be appreciated entirely. A clearly divisive chronograph but one that you would be remiss to not consider, I guarantee it.
Grand Seiko Evolution 9 Tentograph
Reference: SLGC001
Material: Ceramic & Titanium
Dimensions: 43.2mm x 15.2mm
Movement: 9SC5
Water Resistance: 100m
Grand Seiko's Evolution 9 Tentograph is the brand's very first chronograph, ushering perhaps a new era of watchmaking for the Japanese atelier. Ridiculously tended to, the Evolution 9 Tentograph carries all of the trademark finishings you would expect from a piece from Grand Seiko, with high grade polishing evident throughout. Not your typical chronograph, but one that no doubt is well deserving of your attention.
Girard-Perregaux Laureato Chronograph 42mm
Reference: 81020-11-131-11A 2023
Material: Stainless Steel (904L)
Dimensions: 42mm x12.01mm
Movement: GP03300
Water Resistance: 100m
Like the Rolex Submariner, the Girard-Perregaux Laureato Chronograph 42mm is a super luxurious and high end take on the quintessential chronograph. This is another one of those pieces that you need to handle in the metal to appreciate. From the fine finishing throughout to that Clous de Paris dial, the Girard-Perregaux Laureato Chronograph 42mm is more watch than could imagine.
Piaget Polo Chronograph
Reference: G0A46013
Material: Stainless Steel
Dimensions: 42mm x 11.2mm
Movement: 1160P
Water Resistance: 100m
Next up is the Piaget Polo Chronograph, a wonderful example of what lies on the other side of the fence. Lovely distinction of colour separates this delightful chronograph from others on this list, complimented by symmetrical finishings and a beautifully executed movement.
Patek Philippe 5990/1A Nautilus Travel Time Chronograph
Reference: 5990-1A-011
Material: Stainless Steel
Dimensions: 40.5mm x 12.53mm
Movement: CH 28‑520 C FUS
Water Resistance: 120m
A piece for the ages and perhaps the best example of the ultimate high-end daily chronograph money can buy, ladies and gentlemen here is the Patek Philippe 5990/1A Nautilus Travel Time Chronograph. Distinguished, proven and highly technical, the Patek Philippe 5990/1A Nautilus Travel Time Chronograph is the king of the daily chronograph, period.
Patek Philippe 5968G Aquanaut Chronograph
Reference: 5968G-001
Material: White Gold
Dimensions: 42.2mm x 11.9mm
Movement: CH 28‑520 C/522
Water Resistance: 120m
The Patek Philippe 5968G Aquanaut Chronograph is another one of those ultimate grail daily chronographs, combining true mechanical technique with the utter brilliance that comes from the namesake that is Patek Philippe. Endowed in white gold and featuring a blue dial, the Patek Philippe 5968G Aquanaut Chronograph is a brilliant bit of kit that is unsurprisingly one of the toughest watches in the world to buy.
Vacheron Constantin Overseas Chronograph
Reference: 5500V/110A-B481
Material: Stainless Steel
Dimensions: 42.5mm x 12.67mm
Movement: 5200
Water Resistance: 150m
The Vacheron Constantin Overseas Chronograph is set in the perfect midway between the Royal Oak and the Nautilus ,where it offers as much attention to detail and intricate finishing as its counterparts. Endowed with the esteemed Hallmark of Geneva certification, the Vacheron Constantin Overseas Chronograph is perhaps the connoisseur's choice of chronograph.
Breitling Super Chronomat B01 44mm
Reference: EB0136251M1E1
Material: Titanium
Dimensions: 44mm x 14.4mm
Movement: Calibre 01
Water Resistance: 200m
Breitling's Super Chronomat B01 44mm is the newest piece in this list of daily chronograph watches, and it's place is undoubtedly solid. I love the textures, the colours, the boldness and the overall look and feel of the Breitling Super Chronomat B01 44mm. Granted it's on the larger side of things, but it is just superb, truly.
Tudor Black Bay Chrono
Reference: M79360N-0002
Material: Stainless Steel
Dimensions: 41mm
Movement: MT5813
Water Resistance: 200m
The Tudor Black Bay Chrono comes in as one of the more affordable daily chronograph watches on this list. It carries with it all of those quintessential attributes that make a chronograph really interesting and really desirable. I love the screw down pushers, the exposed crown and the overall design of the dial. Simple and supremely effective.
Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch Professional
Reference: 310.30.42.50.01.002
Material: Stainless Steel
Dimensions: 42mm x 13.2mm
Movement: Omega 3861
Water Resistance: 50m
The Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch Professional is experiencing somewhat of a renaissance period right now, and with its retail price literally jumping year to year (and rightfully so IMHO), there is no better time than now to jump on the Speedy bandwagon. An icon, a legend and everything in between, the Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch Professional is one of those ultimate cultural pieces that is as generational as it is relevant.
Jaeger-LeCoultre Polaris Chronograph
Reference: Q9028170
Material: Stainless Steel
Dimensions: 42mm x 13.39mm
Movement: Calibre 761
Water Resistance: 100m
The entirely fantastic Jaeger-LeCoultre Polaris Chronograph presents as one of the best kept chronograph secrets. It's one of those IYKYK watches. I mean, you really have to know and understand watchmaking to understand and appreciate the Jaeger-LeCoultre Polaris Chronograph, and it delivers in droves. A daily chronograph that won't ever miss a beat.
Rolex Cosmograph Daytona
Reference: 126500LN
Material: Stainless Steel
Dimensions: 40mm
Movement: 4131
Water Resistance: 100m
I wanted to feature the Rolex ‘Le Mans’ Daytona but I felt that the Oystersteel 126500LN was the more sensible choice. This new-gen Daytona is still every bit brilliant as the outgoing model, albeit with some quiet touch ups and improvements. What better way to round a list of daily chronograph watches with what is perhaps one of the greatest chronographs ever made?
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