Chronograph Watches

A chronograph is a watch with an integrated stopwatch function — typically a central seconds hand plus subdials and pushers to start, stop, and reset timing. Our catalog includes 3 chronographs, all of them solar-powered with a sport design.

The pushers operate the stopwatch: one to start and stop, one to reset. Subdials show elapsed minutes (and sometimes hours or 1/10 seconds). Exact pusher functions vary by movement — check the listing or the manufacturer's instructions for your specific model.

On most quartz chronographs, the central seconds hand stays at rest until the stopwatch is started — it is not the timekeeping seconds hand. The subdial at 6 o'clock (or another position) shows the running seconds. If you're new to chronographs, this resting hand is normal, not a fault.

Both. Quartz chronographs (the majority in our catalog) are accurate and affordable; automatic chronographs are prized by enthusiasts for their mechanical complexity. Our automatic hub includes the automatic chronographs, and the chronograph alternatives list ranks the highest-rated examples of both kinds.

By cultural reputation, the Rolex Daytona and Omega Speedmaster are the chronographs most people ask about. We don't rank by fame — our alternatives lists order picks by Amazon customer rating — but you can compare the best-rated catalog alternatives to both models on the alternatives pages.