A chronograph watch is a watch that has a complex stopwatch feature. An easy way to identify a chronograph watch is by the 3 recorders on the dial of the watch. Chronograph watches are capable of measuring seconds, minutes, hours, and even tenths of a second.

The first chronograph was invented by Louis Moninet in the year 1816 and was first used to measure astronomical objects. Chronographs were then later developed and used in activities such as car racing and diving.

How Does Chronograph Watch Work?

A modern chronograph watch will have 2 extra buttons, a start and reset button. By pushing the start button, the chronograph will start to record the time (just like a stopwatch). Pushing the start button again will simply stop the recording. If you wish to resume recording, press the start button once more. The reset button will set the chronograph back to zero, erasing your recorded time.

The 3 recorders on the dial of the chronograph all have the same purpose–recording time. However, each of these recorders measures different sets of time. These are seconds, minutes, and hours.

Contemporary chronograph watches use bezels that can be rotated. These are called tachymeters. Tachymeters are used to calculate the speed of a moving object a set distance. For example, it can be used to calculate how fast Usain Bolt has traveled across his 200-meter race.

If we press the start button of the chronograph when Usain Bolt starts to run, we can begin timing him.

You will notice that the second hand will start to move clockwise as soon as you press the start button.

Allow the second hand to run while the race goes on. Press the start button again to stop the recording after Usain Bolt passes the finish line.

From here, we can read where the second hand stopped. In this case, the second hand stopped at 180 mark of the tachymeter. That means that he ran 200 meters in 180 seconds. We can convert to speed by multiplying the two.

180*200 meters = 36,000 meters/hour

And 36,000 meters/hour is the same as 36 kilometers/hour and the same as 22.37 miles/hour

It seems like complicated math until you break it down into these easy steps.

What Do The Dials On A Chronograph Watch Mean?

A contemporary chronograph watch has 3 recorders on its main display dial. These 3 recorders have the same purpose, just like a stopwatch, which is to record time. Each of the recorders records a different set of time – seconds, minutes, and hours. Pushing the start button on the chronograph will start the recorder.

What Is The Difference Between Analog and Chronograph Watches?

An analog watch is a watch that displays the time with the use of hands as opposed to digits like you’d see on a digital watch. On the other hand, a chronograph watch is a watch with the addition of a detailed stopwatch. The chronograph watch can be either analog or digital.

Usually, comparing analog to a chronograph doesn’t make much sense because they are different categories. They serve different purposes, aside from telling time. It would make more sense to compare an analog watch to a digital watch. A digital watch displays time digitally using numbers on a screen, while an analog watch displays time through the classic use of hands.

A chronograph an additional tool that can be found on both analog and digital watches. Not all watches will include a chronograph, but all watches can tell you the time.

An easy way to identify a chronograph watch is through the 3 distinct recorders on its main display dial and 2 extra buttons by the side of the watch. The buttons are usually located by the 2 o’clock and 4 o’clock marks.

It’s important to note that a chronograph on a digital watch is often just a regular digital watch that has a stopwatch function included.

Does A Chronograph Watch Need Batteries?

A chronograph is a somewhat complicated tool available on some types of watches. However, the presence of the chronograph on a watch doesn’t necessarily mean the watch will need a battery.

So, if you are getting a battery operated watch that has chronograph on it, then yes it requires batteries. If you are getting a manual winding watch that has a chronograph on it, then no it does not require batteries.

Are Chronograph Watches Automatic?

A chronograph is not limited to a certain type of watch. A chronograph can be built into any type of watch, be it automatic, manual, or digital. Hence, a chronograph watch can be automatic if you are getting an automatic chronograph watch.