Chronometer and chronograph are two things that quite often are discussed when you are discussing watches. An avid watch collector may be very familiar with these various terms. However, some people may not know the differences between those two.
Both chronometer and chronograph have similar names, but these two are really different things. Then what is the difference between those two? A chronometer is an instrument that is used to make accurate time measurements for a watch. In contrast, the chronograph is an instrument for recording time.
Chronometer
A chronometer is neither a complication nor an additional feature on a watch. A chronometer is a term used for high-precision watches with a running seconds display whose accuracy of movement has been controlled for several days in different positions and at different temperatures by an official.
Named the Contrôle Officiel Suisse des Chronomètres, better known as the COSC, is an Official Swiss Chronometer Testing Institute. COSC tests the accuracy and consistency of a wristwatch movement for 15 days in 5 different positions and temperatures. The movement will pass and get COSC certification if, for 15 days, it has an accuracy of -4 or +6 seconds a day.
If you are looking for a Chronometer-certified timepiece, this Chopard Mille Miglia GTS Power Control is one of the legit picks. The movement is equipped with a stop-seconds function allowing precise adjustments. This stainless steel watch on a rubber strap housing the self-winding Chopard Calibre 01.08-C and beating at a frequency of 28,800 v.p.h. This racing car-inspired watch comes with an emblematic black dial with a power-reserve indicator at 9 o’clock.
Read: 4 Common Types of Calendar Mechanism on Watches
Chronograph
The chronograph is an additional feature on a watch known as a complication in the world of mechanical watches. The chronograph function is to measure time in several periods. Maybe you are more familiar with this function as a stopwatch. On a chronograph watch, one hand can start, stop, and return to the number 0 to measure the duration of time up to 15, 10, or even 100 seconds in duration.
Although the chronograph watch dial layout has many variations, there are usually two sub-counters for minutes and hours (generally 30 minutes and 12 hours), which make up the total of the central chronograph hand that measures in seconds. Breguet La Tradition Chronograph is one of our Chronograph watch collections. This watch features Hand-wound chronograph movement numbered and signed Breguet. There is also a power reserve indicator, a 20-minute counter engraved on the back of the movement, and a chronograph running indicator at 6 o’clock.
