The History of the Chronograph

Omega Speedmaster Professional Chronograph. Photo: Time Piece Legacy

A chronograph is a wristwatch style that combines a stopwatch with a time tracking display piece. The stopwatch, likewise, is a timing tool used to determine the time that passes between the activation and deactivation. The Chrono must thus be stopped, adjusted, and restarted to record time. Besides, the indicators on a Chrono can count hours, minutes, seconds, and even tenths of a second.

Unquestionably, the Chronograph is among the most coveted complexities in the watch industry. It is arguably the only complexity that could bring forth one of the greatest segments of the global market, from the young generation to the more sophisticated and knowledgeable audience.

The Greek phrases “Chronos” (the symbol of time) and “graph,” which means to write, are the source of the title “chronograph.” Louis Moinet, a French designer, invented the very first Chronograph in 1816. During its invention, Moinet’s Chronograph was the only timepiece capable of measuring time accurately to 1/60th of a second. Moreover, it was designed only for use in conjunction with astrology instruments.

Nicolas Mathieu Rieussec, the craftsman to French King Louis XVII, created the first watch to be openly advertised as a Chrono. However, Moinet’s piece is still regarded as the inaugural contemporary Chronograph. The monarch ordered Rieussec to make a watch that would allow him to keep track of the lap times of his favorite horseracing. So at his request, Rieussec produced the first contemporary Chronograph in 1821.

Generally, 2 faces make up Rieussec’s Chrono, one of which uses the movement’s kinetic energy to rotate a tiny, engraved pointer. The ring that would serve as a timekeeper was then imprinted by the needle placed on one of the surfaces.

Nevertheless, Rieussec’s Chronograph’s ink-hungry design made it inappropriate for various applications. Adolphe Nicole, a Swiss designer, improved his Chrono in 1844. He became the first person to include a reset function that made it possible to take more readings devoid of ink.

This change was crucial for the Chronograph, and soon the army was using them to measure artillery attacks as well as in many different sports, particularly running. The Chronograph transformed athletics because it allowed for more accurate lap timings, making competitors strive harder to break records.

It wasn’t till the beginning of the 20th century that Chrono capability was downsized and incorporated into time-tracking timepieces. They were still merely stopwatches at this period, typically housed in a small wooden package or a spherical metal casing.

How Do Modern Chronographs Function?

The 3 pusher buttons on the face’s side of the contemporary Chronographs are utilized to operate the stopwatch and any other complexities the Chrono might have. The stopwatch can be started and stopped by pressing the “start/stop” dial next to the 2 o’clock position on the watch surface. Once the starting button is hit, a group of rail wheels begins to spin simultaneously and keep track of the time till the halt button is pressed.

Whereas the stopwatch is the significant primary attraction of the Chronograph, various timepieces can also feature a wide range of other complications. These include tracking heartbeats, exhibiting moon phases, and measuring speed and distance with a tachymeter bezel.