The chronograph watch is a popular timepiece amongst many people, especially those that may be more mechanically inclined. The basic difference between a chronograph and analogue watches is that chronograph watches tell the exact time, with just two hands displaying the time, whilst analogue watches feature a more mechanical complication (the precise in-the-kitchen-pot complication which, in the case of analogue watches, usually means a stopwatch or a timer). Despite this subtle distinction, there are some ways that we can differentiate between the two.
The most obvious way to differentiate a chronograph from an analogue watch is simply the fact that a chronograph is always run with one hand at a given speed. As soon as the second hand is switched off, the watch will reset itself automatically so that it can be used again. In a chronograph, as in a quartz movement, the minute hand on the watch completes one full revolution every second. The crown, which is also present on most watches, rotates once for each hour.
One of the main features found on modern chronograph watches is a crown that measures the rotation speed and tells the time through a pointer. Most times this crown will also contain a stopwatch or a timer which allows the user to measure the distance travelled over a period of time. It is probably this easy-to-read feature which has led to so much popularity for these types of watches, as well as their relative ease of use.
The biggest different between chronograph watches and ordinary ones is that a chronograph is defined as the type of watch that counts the seconds and quarters whereas an analogue watch is not. This means that they run the chronograph throughout the complete working day while other watches may only run for half an hour. This difference between chronograph watches and ordinary ones is actually one of the main reasons that they are so popular amongst watch enthusiasts. The ability to tell time is an important hobby for many men and women and the ability to customize the look of a watch is another selling point. In fact, some watch enthusiasts actually collect chronograph watches and would go to great lengths to own them.
Chronograph watches have two major parts which combine to provide the necessary functionality. The first part is the case which houses the chronograph and contains the seconds hand and the second hand, which measures the distance moved during the working day. A crown allows the movement of the seconds hand, as well as the other two parts to be changed should the need arise. There are some models that allow the use of a third wheel so that the user can scroll back through the elapsed time during the day.
The reason that most people collect luxury timepieces like Louis Moinet’s Chronograph watches comes from their desire to own a piece that will tell them the exact time. Most luxury timepieces tell their users the date and time. However, the vast majority of luxury timepieces do not have this option and rely on the ability to count the passing seconds manually. The ability to tell time with a precision stopwatch is a very impressive feature and one that many luxury timepieces possess. Most of the finest timepieces also come in a variety of different colors. This means that collectors of luxury watches can enjoy their collection in virtually any color that they might want.
