Don't get me wrong, I am not calling anyone ignorant in a malicious way, only saying that there is a lack of knowledge as to the nature and purpose of chronograph functions on a watch. Which, in turn, is fairly baffling to me. Because generally speaking, a chronograph function on a watch will significantly increase the price of said watch, compared to a model that does not offer these extra functions.
To boil it right down, a chronograph is a fancy word for a stop watch or a timer function. Often you will have sub dials on a chronograph. Those sub dials will keep the time, based on seconds, minutes, and hours in certain set increments. Watch makers often choose different variations of these. And some watches can only keep seconds or minutes or so on.
It may not be something many of us will need on a watch, or it may be something we like, strictly from an aesthetic standpoint. And I have no personal issue with that. Wear a watch that you like, and if it gives you access to useful functions, all the more power to you.
So, for a list on some of the best chronographs I have found, I will try to include a wide array of prices, and movements, and brand names, so you can see some of the wonderful options that are available out there in the world. Some of these watches have appeared on other lists I have and will make, and that is generally because I find them to be great buys, and will naturally be able to be categorized into many different locations.
I will also, hopefully be able to show you some new watches, or brands I have not had a chance to introduce my readers to. I am breaking this into two lists. Here is the link For The best Men's Chronograph Watches for Under... Part 2, there I cover watches over 2000 dollars.
The Best Men's Chronograph Watches for Under...
The Best Men's Chronograph Watch for Under 50 Dollars
Timex
Weekender Collection
Model: TW2P715009J
Case: 40 mm, Stainless Steel
Band: 20 mm, Nylon
Movement: Quartz
Functions: HH, MM, SS, Day, Chronograph, Light
Battery: Lithium metal battery
Water resistance: 30M/99ft.
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| The Timex Weekender series are my favorite Timex's. |
The Expedition is not a bad watch, I just prefer the looks of the Weekender over the Expedition, and quite honestly, I do not think the 10 dollars should be enough to steer me away from it.
For the Weekender, you get a 40mm stainless steel case with the crown at the 3 o'clock position and the chronograph buttons located at the 3 and 4 o'clock positions. The dial face is black with white being the opposite coloring for the numbers and ticks and sub dials for the chronograph functions. The watch comes with a canvas band with a buckle style clasp.
The chronograph functions include: measurements up to 1/20th of a second. The chronograph second is actually the second hand on the main dial, with a small seconds at the 6 o'clock position.
I really like the looks of this watch, I like the idea of the chronograph seconds being part of the bigger dial, it makes it easier to use in my mind. And I love the price. If you really go looking, you will most likely be able to find it for under 50 dollars, but if not, and the 59.99 price tag is a deal breaker, I would suggest you take a look at the Expedition.
I really like the looks of this watch, I like the idea of the chronograph seconds being part of the bigger dial, it makes it easier to use in my mind. And I love the price. If you really go looking, you will most likely be able to find it for under 50 dollars, but if not, and the 59.99 price tag is a deal breaker, I would suggest you take a look at the Expedition.
The Best Men's Chronograph Watch for Under 100 Dollars
Invicta
Specialty Chronograph
Model: 10687
Case: 45mm Stainless steel
Band: 22mm Leather
Movement: 8172/220 quartz
Functions: HH, MM, SS, Day, Date, Chronograph
Battery:
Water resistance: 100M/330ft
I have yet to talk about Invicta watches, so let me give you a brief history of the company. It is something I like to do with all watchmakers.
Invicta Watch Company started life in 1837, by Raphael Picard, in Switzerland. The Picard family owned and operated the company until the early 1970's. I am unsure what happened between the 70's and 1991, but in 1991 the company was purchased by an American investment firm, and now has its headquarters located in America. I have so many companies I have wanted to talk about, I have not found the place for the Invicta watches until now. And it is my personal belief that Invicta watches are good watches, as long as they are under 300 or so dollars, any more than that and there are better, more reputable companies to choose from. That being said, I find this chronograph a good buy for under 100 dollars.
The Invicta Specialty Chronograph has a 45mm stainless steel case with the crown at the 3 o'clock position and the chronograph function buttons at the 2 & 4 o'clock positions. The face is covered by a Flame Fusion Crystal lens, and the dial face itself is a dark blue, with numerals in 5 minute intervals. The hands of the watch are silver. The dark blue leather band is 22m wide and has a buckle style clasp.
The chronograph functions are: A 60 second sub dial and a 30 minute sub dial. It also includes a 3rd sub dial for the day of the week.
The watch sells on Amazon for 99.99 or there about and falls just a hair under the 100 dollar limit. Personally, I think a sub 100 dollar Invicta watch is a good purchase for a watch you plan to wear regularly. I would not really call it a collectible watch though.
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| Invicta has a lot of chronographs available. |
Invicta Watch Company started life in 1837, by Raphael Picard, in Switzerland. The Picard family owned and operated the company until the early 1970's. I am unsure what happened between the 70's and 1991, but in 1991 the company was purchased by an American investment firm, and now has its headquarters located in America. I have so many companies I have wanted to talk about, I have not found the place for the Invicta watches until now. And it is my personal belief that Invicta watches are good watches, as long as they are under 300 or so dollars, any more than that and there are better, more reputable companies to choose from. That being said, I find this chronograph a good buy for under 100 dollars.
The Invicta Specialty Chronograph has a 45mm stainless steel case with the crown at the 3 o'clock position and the chronograph function buttons at the 2 & 4 o'clock positions. The face is covered by a Flame Fusion Crystal lens, and the dial face itself is a dark blue, with numerals in 5 minute intervals. The hands of the watch are silver. The dark blue leather band is 22m wide and has a buckle style clasp.
The chronograph functions are: A 60 second sub dial and a 30 minute sub dial. It also includes a 3rd sub dial for the day of the week.
The watch sells on Amazon for 99.99 or there about and falls just a hair under the 100 dollar limit. Personally, I think a sub 100 dollar Invicta watch is a good purchase for a watch you plan to wear regularly. I would not really call it a collectible watch though.
The Best Men's Chronograph for Under 200 Dollars
Bulova
Classic Series
Model: 96B203
Model: 96B203
Case: 40 mm, Stainless steel
Band Width: 22 mm, Stainless steel
Movement: Japanese Quartz
Functions: HH, MM, SS, Date, Chronograph
Battery:
Water resistance: 30M
I could not help myself but to put a Bulova on this list. This watch has some real clean lines, something I have come to expect from modern Bulova watches. It also made my best men's watches under 200 dollars list.
The 40mm stainless steel case is not over large, but falls right into that perfect size, the crown is at the 3 o'clock position, and the chronograph function buttons are at the 2 & 4. The Dial face is black with a black bezel and polished hands, and a stainless steel, 3 link band with a fold clasp.
The Chronograph functions consist of 3 sub dials, a second, hour, and 24 hour dial. The watch also includes a date window.
The watch, in my opinion, is one of Bulovas' best looking watches, under about 200 dollars. It can be found on Amazon for around 190 dollars.
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| Bulova make some classic and stylish watches |
The 40mm stainless steel case is not over large, but falls right into that perfect size, the crown is at the 3 o'clock position, and the chronograph function buttons are at the 2 & 4. The Dial face is black with a black bezel and polished hands, and a stainless steel, 3 link band with a fold clasp.
The Chronograph functions consist of 3 sub dials, a second, hour, and 24 hour dial. The watch also includes a date window.
The watch, in my opinion, is one of Bulovas' best looking watches, under about 200 dollars. It can be found on Amazon for around 190 dollars.
The Best Men's Chronograph Watch for Under 500 Dollars
Hamilton Watches
Pilot Pioneer Chrono Quartz
Model: H76552955
Case: 41mm Stainless steel
Band: 22mm Canvas
Movement: Quartz CAL.G10.211
Functions: HH, MM, SS, Date, Chronograph
Battery:
Water resistance: 100M/330ft
The Hamilton Pilot Chrono has been inspired by Hamilton's military aviation watches from the mid 70's.
The Pilot Chrono has a modest sized, 41mm stainless steel case, with the crown at the 3 o'clock position, and the chronograph function buttons at the 2 & 4 o'clock positions. The white dial has Arabic numerals at the hour marks, with the 12 o'clock numeral imbued with Superluminova. The hour, and minute hands are black and also imbued with Superluminova. And it is all covered with a sapphire lens. The watch comes with a canvas band with a stainless steel buckle style clasp, but it available with a leather band or stainless steel.
The chronograph functions include a seconds sub dial at the 6 o'clock position, and a 30 minute sub dial at the 10 o'clock position. The watch also has a date window at the 3 o'clock position.
I had a hard time choosing between the Hamilton and a Victorionox. Both companies make quality watches, but the Hamilton watches look better to me. This Hamilton Pilot Pioneer Chrono can be had for around 410 dollars, and I believe you can get a lot of watch if you choose the Hamilton.
The Citizen Ecosphere, like some big, dark monster is my under 500 dollar choice for the best men's chronograph watches for under... list. It is big and it is dark, it's almost villainous looking. Or maybe like a Knight Rider for your wrist.
The Ecosphere sports a 48mm, black, stainless steel case, with the black crown at the 3 o'clock position and the chronograph function buttons at the 2 & 4 o'clock positions. The black face had dark grey hour markers and black hands with dark grey inlaid in them. The sub dials are also black with grey hands, and the only bright spot on the watch is the date window, located at around the 4:30 position of the watch. The black Tachymeter bezel is etched. The black stainless steel rounds out this package with a folding style clasp.
The Chronograph functions are 1/5 second, a 30 minute and a 24 hour. The watch is impressive. I don't very often find a watch like this very visually appealing, but I do like the way they did this one. I like it a lot, and being it can usually be found for under 350 dollars, it is a bargain in the under 1000 dollar price point.
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| Hamilton watches have a very stylish and timeless look |
The Pilot Chrono has a modest sized, 41mm stainless steel case, with the crown at the 3 o'clock position, and the chronograph function buttons at the 2 & 4 o'clock positions. The white dial has Arabic numerals at the hour marks, with the 12 o'clock numeral imbued with Superluminova. The hour, and minute hands are black and also imbued with Superluminova. And it is all covered with a sapphire lens. The watch comes with a canvas band with a stainless steel buckle style clasp, but it available with a leather band or stainless steel.
The chronograph functions include a seconds sub dial at the 6 o'clock position, and a 30 minute sub dial at the 10 o'clock position. The watch also has a date window at the 3 o'clock position.
I had a hard time choosing between the Hamilton and a Victorionox. Both companies make quality watches, but the Hamilton watches look better to me. This Hamilton Pilot Pioneer Chrono can be had for around 410 dollars, and I believe you can get a lot of watch if you choose the Hamilton.
The Best Men's Chronograph for Under 1000
Citizen
Ecosphere
Model: CA4184-81E
Case: 48mm, Stainless steel
Band: Stainless steel
Movement: Japanese Quartz
Functions: HH, MM, SS, Date, Chronograph
Battery:
Water resistance: 100M/330ft
Ecosphere
Model: CA4184-81E
Case: 48mm, Stainless steel
Band: Stainless steel
Movement: Japanese Quartz
Functions: HH, MM, SS, Date, Chronograph
Battery:
Water resistance: 100M/330ft
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| Citizen is a great Japanese watch maker |
The Ecosphere sports a 48mm, black, stainless steel case, with the black crown at the 3 o'clock position and the chronograph function buttons at the 2 & 4 o'clock positions. The black face had dark grey hour markers and black hands with dark grey inlaid in them. The sub dials are also black with grey hands, and the only bright spot on the watch is the date window, located at around the 4:30 position of the watch. The black Tachymeter bezel is etched. The black stainless steel rounds out this package with a folding style clasp.
The Chronograph functions are 1/5 second, a 30 minute and a 24 hour. The watch is impressive. I don't very often find a watch like this very visually appealing, but I do like the way they did this one. I like it a lot, and being it can usually be found for under 350 dollars, it is a bargain in the under 1000 dollar price point.
Wrap Up
Chronograph watches are great, and versatile tools for individuals that have a need for a convenient stopwatch. They also make nice appearance watches for those who want a large, complicated looking watch on their wrist. They can be a great addition to anyone who loves to wear a watch on their wrist. The chronograph style watch is a classic and is easily one of the most popular mens watch styles on the market today.
Thank you for reading the best men's watches under blog. Please come back and read The best men's chronograph watches under... Part 2.
Thank you for reading the best men's watches under blog. Please come back and read The best men's chronograph watches under... Part 2.
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