Chronograph Watches

The mechanical distinction is between an integrated chronograph, designed as a single movement from the start, and a modular one, where the chronograph is built onto a base calibre. Integrated movements are thinner and give a crisper pusher action; modular construction is more common below £1,000 and works perfectly well. Quartz chronographs offer the same layout with greater accuracy.

Seiko, Citizen and Tissot cover the everyday end with real competence. Zenith belongs here because the El Primero, launched in 1969 as one of the first automatic chronographs, remains the reference point for the category, and Longines and Oris sit either side of it.

Chronograph Watches holds 1151 models across 80 brands, from £25 to £114,400. Half cost less than £225, and a quarter less than £154. 234 of 1151 are automatic. 334 are stocked by more than one retailer, giving 1581 offers in total. Emporio Armani lists more references here than any other brand. Prices are checked nightly against the retailers’ own feeds.