Best in 2018: Chronographs

2 0 Sunday, 9 December 2018 Edit this post

We start today, and for the next three Sundays and the last day of the year, a series of articles with a selection of some of the best timepieces introduced in 2018 in various categories, including Chronographs, Sport Watches, Dress Watches, Ladies Watches and Complications.

For the Chronographs category, we list below our selections with links to the full articles. Selected watches are listed alphabetically, not in order of preference.

A. Lange & Sohne Triple Split
The A. Lange & Söhne Triple Split is the first mechanical split-seconds chronograph in the world that allows multi-hour comparative time measurements. Thanks to additional rattrapante hands on the minute and hour totalizers, the Triple Split makes it possible to stop lap and reference times of events that last as long as twelve hours. In the passive mode, the respective hand pairs are superposed. As soon as the measurement is started, they all begin to run simultaneously until the rattrapante pusher is pressed to freeze intermediate times. The three blued-steel hands stop to display lap times while the seconds hand as well as the minute- and hour-counter hands continue to run and measure the total time. The grey dial in solid silver is colour-coordinated with the 43.2 mm white-gold case. Beating at 21,600 vibrations per hour, the hand-wound manufacture calibre L132.1 offers a 55-hour power reserve. Read the full article.

Breguet Marine Chronographe 5527
In line with the design code of Breguet’s new line, the Marine Chronographe 5527 features a recognizable case with distinctive bracelet lug, fluting on the caseband and wave decor surrounding the crown, adorned with a large “B”. The 42.3 mm cases ensures water resistance to 100 metres / 330 feet. The central chronograph hand, enriched by a “B” in a reinterpreted version of the corresponding maritime signal flag, is complemented by two registers, at 3 o’clock for the minutes and at 6 o’clock for the hours. The smaller sub-dial at 9 o’clock is used for the running seconds. The Marine 5527 is available in three variations: white gold case with guilloché blue dial, rose gold with guilloché silvered gold dial, and titanium with an elegant slate grey tone with sunburst finish. The 4 Hz (28,800 vph) self-winding movement, Calibre 582QA, and its rotor with oscillating weight in black PVD-coated gold are visible through the sapphire crystal case back. Read the full article.

F.P.Journe Chronographe Monopoussoir Rattrapante
F.P.Journe expanded its lineSport collection with the Chronographe Monopoussoir Rattrapante, available in 3 versions: platinum, red gold or titanium grade 5. The 44 mm x 12 mm case encloses the new monopoussoir split second chronograph movement made in 18K rose gold for the platinum and the red gold versions and in aluminium alloy for the titanium version. The tachymetric bezel inlaid with ceramic enhances the sporty character of the model. Beating at a frequency of 3 Hz (21,600 vph), the hand-wound F.P.Journe Calibre 1518 features a power reserve of 80 hours. Each model version comes with a dial of a different colour: for the red gold model, a ruthenium-coloured silver guilloché dial with applied numerals in matte red gold, for the platinum model, a blue mauve-coloured silver guilloché dial with applied numerals in matte white gold and for the sportier titanium model, the dial is crafted from an anthracite-coloured aluminum alloy with applied numerals and hands treated with Super-LumiNova. Read the full article.

Habring2 Doppel Felix Split Seconds Chronograph
Characterized by minimalist case and dial, the Habring2 Doppel Felix split-seconds chronograph is powered by a movement entirely developed in Austria. The 42 mm case is crafted from 316L stainless steel with brushed and polished finish and it is water resistant to 50 meters / 165 feet. Protected by a domed AR-coated sapphire crystal, the dial is available in satin silver or anthracite with rose gold plated hands and hour markers. The in-house split-seconds chronograph movement is produced in two variations: A11R and A11RD (with pointer date). Read the full article.

IWC Pilot’s Watch Chronograph Spitfire
The new IWC Pilot’s Watch Chronograph Spitfire (ref. IW387902) comes in a reduced case diameter of just 41 mm which houses a movement from the 69000 calibre family, introduced in 2016 and one of the most important developments in IWC-manufactured movements in IWC's recent history. This is the first time that IWC integrates a member of this calibre family into its Pilot’s Watches. Characterized by a classic column wheel design, the 69380 chronograph movement displays chronograph hours and minutes on two subdials at 9 o'clock and 12 o'clock while also featuring a date and day display. Beating at a frequency of 4 Hz, it guarantees a power reserve of 46 hours. The movement is protected by a soft-iron case for protection against magnetic fields. The bronze case, the olive green dial and the brown calf leather strap give this chronograph its unique character. Read the full article.

Omega Speedmaster Dark Side of the Moon Apollo 8
Dedicated to the Apollo 8 space mission, the first to orbit around the moon, the Speedmaster Dark Side of the Moon Apollo 8 features a decorated version of Omega's famous Moonwatch movement which is visible from both sides thanks to a skeletonized dial. The dial-side is a light shade to represent our view of the moon’s surface from Earth, while the back of the watch delves into the dark side that only astronauts get to see. A laser ablation technique producing a realistic imagery of the lunar surface was used to decorate the bridges and main plate of the blackened movement.The 44.25 mm x 13.80 mm case is entirely made of black zirconium oxide ceramic. The chronograph hands are varnished yellow, while the tachymeter scale and crown are filled with Super-LumiNova. The black and yellow theme extends to the leather strap. The blackened and decorated version of the Calibre 1861 - called 1869 as a tribute to the first moon landing - beats at 21,600 vibrations per hour with a power reserve of 48 hours. Read the full article.

Patek Philippe Perpetual Calendar Chronograph Ref. 5270P Salmon Dial
At Baselworld 2018, Patek Philippe introduced, for the first time, a platinum version of its Reference 5270 that was first launched in 2011 in white gold and followed by a rose gold version in 2015. The new Perpetual Calendar Chronograph Ref. 5270P-001 stands out for its golden opaline dial — or “salmon” dial for many Patek Philippe fans — with applied blackened gold numerals which give a modern twist to this classic timepiece. The dial has the typical layout of Patek Philippe chronographs with perpetual calendar. Thanks to the sapphire-crystal case back, it is possible to admire the caliber CH 29-535 PS Q movement, the very first chronograph with a perpetual calendar developed completely in the manufacture’s workshops. Beating at 4 Hz (28,800 vph), this hand-wound movement stands out with its classic architecture (horizontal clutch, column wheel, manual winding), the six patented chronograph innovations, as well as its extremely svelte calendar mechanism. The power reserve is 55 to 65 hours with the chronograph disengaged. Read the full article.

Patek Philippe Aquanaut Chronograph Ref. 5968A-001
The Aquanaut Chronograph Ref. 5968A-001 is Patek Philippe’s very first chronograph in the Aquanaut collection, a complication which is in line with the sporty and dynamic character of the timepiece. The watch is equipped with Calibre CH 28-520 C/528, a self-winding flyback chronograph movement featuring a classic column wheel as well as a modern vertical disk clutch that prevents a rebound of the hand in either direction when the chronograph is started. Because this clutch is virtually friction-free, the chronograph hand can also be used as a continuously running seconds hand. The power reserve is 45 to 55 hours. The look of the watch is very appealing and the chronograph function was successfully integrated in the typical design of the Aquanaut with the 60-minute counter echoing the typical contours of the slightly rounded octagonal bezel. Patek Philippe delivers this watch with two composite straps. The black strap is standard issue. The orange one emphasizes the bold colour accents on the dial. Read the full article.

Richard Mille RM 11-03 McLaren Automatic Flyback Chronograph
The result of the collaboration with McLaren Automotive, the Richard Mille RM 11-03 McLaren Automatic Flyback Chronograph brings to mind the lines of a supercar. Its rectangular case is made of Carbon TPT interlaced with Orange Quartz TPT, resulting in an extremely resistant and light-weight case while paying tribute to a colour that is synonymous with McLaren. The Carbon TPT enhances the mechanical performance of the RM 11-03 offering resistance to harsh environments. The titanium pushers fitted to the Carbon TPT case echo the design of the headlights of the McLaren 720S. Titanium inserts, similar in shape to the iconic McLaren F1’s air-intake snorkel and bearing the McLaren logo, adorn the bezel. The grade 5 titanium crown is shaped like a McLaren lightweight wheel. The RM 11-03 is powered by the 4 Hz (28,800 vph) automatic RMAC3 calibre with a flyback chronograph whose instant return of the counter to zero makes it possible to quickly restart the stopwatch function. Read the full article.

TAG Heuer Carrera "Tête de Vipère" Chronograph Tourbillon Chronometer
With the Carrera "Tête de Vipère" Chronograph Tourbillon Chronometer, TAG Heuer celebrated 55 years since the introduction of the Heuer Carrera in 1963. A limited edition of 155 pieces, this is the first TAG Heuer chronograph to bear the prestigious "Tête de Vipère" stamp of excellence. In order to obtain such certification, each fully assembled watch — not just the movement — undergoes a protocol involving 16 days of testing, in five different positions at three different temperatures. Characterized by the contemporary design of the 45 mm midnight blue ceramic case, complemented by ceramic bezel and lugs, the new TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph Tourbillon Chronometer features two of traditional watchmaking's most famous complications: a tourbillon and a chronograph. Beating at 28,800 vibrations per hour and offering a power reserve in excess of 65 hours, the automatic HEUER-02T calibre has beautiful finishes that can be admired through the transparent case back. Read the full article.