7 of the most innovative chronographs from the past 10 years. A look at timepieces that have brought something new to the chronograph complication.
The chronograph has long been a watchmaking staple, but the past decade has seen a remarkable wave of technical and creative reinterpretations.
This is not a ranking of the most prestigious or historically important chronographs released in the past 10 years — several other models would certainly belong in such a list — but rather a look at timepieces that have brought something genuinely new to the complication.
From unconventional displays and independent timing systems to groundbreaking advances in frequency control, each of these watches redefines what a chronograph can be.
The watches are listed alphabetically, not ranked by preference.
This model introduced a technically elegant solution to a long-standing challenge: ensuring the chronograph operates without affecting timekeeping performance.
The hand-wound Calibre 580DR achieves this through two entirely independent gear trains, each with its own energy source, one dedicated to timekeeping and the other to the chronograph. This allows the chronograph to be used without any impact on the watch’s rate, preserving Breguet’s hallmark precision. Read more.
Cyrus Klepcys DICE (2021)
A double independent chronograph capable of measuring two separate events simultaneously, both driven by a single movement. The two central seconds hands are colour-coded for easy reading, with each having its own column wheel and gear train.
This construction allows both chronographs to be started, stopped, and reset independently, making it ideal for timing events that overlap or follow each other closely. Read more.
Part of the brands' Experimental Watch Technology programme, this limited edition chronograph features a newly developed Nano Foudroyante system capable of displaying 1/8th of a second with a hand rotating at 960 revolutions per minute.
A dedicated constant-force mechanism powers it independently of the main movement, using 1,800 times less energy and reducing component size by 90%, opening new possibilities for integrating ultra-high-frequency displays in mechanical watches. Read more.
A collaborative creation between Louis Vuitton and Rexhep Rexhepi of Akrivia, this masterpiece integrates a monopusher chronograph, a chiming mechanism, and a tourbillon in one movement.
The design reimagines both the technical architecture and the aesthetic presentation of these complications, while being entirely hand-finished to the highest artisanal standards. Every component is visible through the openworked dial and movement, demonstrating a remarkable fusion of watchmaking artistry and mechanical ingenuity. Read more.
The first ever chronograph of MB&f incorporates two column-wheel chronographs and a groundbreaking “Twinverter” binary switch, enabling multiple timing modes including split-second and lap timer modes, a combination never seen before in any chronograph.
The large, symmetrical layout under the domed crystal makes the mechanism an integral part of the design, merging technical complexity with MB&F’s signature three-dimensional style. Read more.
The large, symmetrical layout under the domed crystal makes the mechanism an integral part of the design, merging technical complexity with MB&F’s signature three-dimensional style. Read more.
Patek Philippe’s first 1/10th-of-a-second monopusher chronograph is powered by a high-frequency movement with seven patented innovations.
The display uses two central hands, with a grey hand indicating the seconds and a red Silinvar hand indicating the tenths, both rotating concentrically for optimal legibility. The movement’s advanced materials, including the patented Oscillomax ensemble, ensure exceptional precision and stability at 36,000 vibrations per hour. Read more.
Singer Reimagined Track1 (2017)
Developed by Marco Borraccino and Jean-Marc Wiederrecht, the Track1 completely rethinks the chronograph display.
All chronograph indications, including seconds, minutes and hours, are placed centrally, while the time is shown on rotating peripheral discs. This is made possible by the AgenGraphe calibre, a purpose-built automatic chronograph movement with a hidden rotor, coaxial clutch, column wheel and full 60-hour chronograph capacity, representing a landmark in modern chronograph engineering. Read more.
COMMENTS