Welcome to part II of our Chronograph buying guide. Part II focuses on a higher price point of $1,000 and above, shedding some light on some of the most timeless and influential watches in existence. Below are the categories we are covering, please use the quick links to jump around;
Affordable Luxury ($1,000 – $2,500)
Mid-Range Luxury ($2,500 – $10,000)
High-End Luxury ($10,000 and Up)
In case you want to missed part I check out a brief history of the chronograph and our picks under $1,000 here.
Now on to our picks! On your marks, get set, go!
Affordable Luxury
Affordable luxury represents a category that is able to offer plenty of value at this reasonable price point. This category is one that has gained increased competition in last few years through the emergence of microbrands entering the market. With a price point of $1,000-$2,500 our picks represent one watchmaker from Switzerland and two from Germany.
Hamilton Intra-Matic Auto Chrono
What’s the brand?
Hamilton was founded in 1882 and for a long time was at the heart of American watchmaking. The company had deep roots in the USA by providing watches for essential workers including the railroad industry, postal service and the military. In 1969 the company moved all manufacturing to Switzerland due to poor sales figures amidst the quartz crisis, along with changes in ownership. Today Hamilton has cemented themselves as an entry level watch producer with an amazing product offering.
Why is it cool?
The Hamilton Intra-Matic is based off the brands Intra-Matic 68 Chrono and plays with vintage inspired style while offering new age specs. The watch can be worn in any environment with 100 meters of water resistance and a whopping 60 hour power reserve!
Junghans max bill Chronoscope
What’s the brand?
Junghans was founded in 1861 as a black forest clock manufacturer. By 1903 the once humble brand had transformed into the largest clock manufacturer in the world. Today, Junghans is known for producing some of the most beautiful Bauhaus designs in the game. Junghans lives by the philosophy that watches should be understated because true style is never loud.
Why is it cool?
Named after the king of Bauhaus design, Max Bill himself, this watch’s dial is what sets it a part from the rest. Sure it comes from a storied manufacturer and houses the famous Valjoux 7750 movement but lets face it the the unique Bauhaus design is done to perfection in this watch!
How much will it cost?
This Max Bill Chronoscope can be had for for $1,250.00 – $1,999.00
Sinn 356 Flieger Sa
What’s the brand?
Sinn is a well respected brand from Germany with over half a century of watchmaking expertise. The brand is one of the most bad ass manufacturers around due to tough case treatments and distinct utilitarian designs. Sinn has a devoted following within this price range as it is hard to argue with their value prop. Today Sinn is standard issue for multiple departments of Germany’s armed forces due to their rugged nature.
Why is it cool?
Sinn’s proprietary TEGIMENT Technology is a finishing applied to the case and bracelet, significantly increasing the watches hardness making the 356 a beast. This is a rugged no BS pilot style chrono that will keep on ticking no matter the licking!
How much will it cost?
This watch can be had on bracelet (highly recommended) for $2,320.00-$2,540.00
Mid-Range Luxury
Mid-range luxury represents the largest category with the fiercest of competition in the world of watches as such, we’ve chosen to look at four iconic watches instead of three! The price point is $2,500-$10,000 and consist of four storied brands and their heritage packed flagship chronos.
Omega Speedmaster Professional
What’s the brand?
Founded in 1848 Omega is one of the largest and most respected watchmakers on this list. The brand is a watchmaking powerhouse well known for its exceptional movements and timeless designs. Omega’s most notable models include its Speedmaster, known for being the first watch on the moon and its Seamaster which has been James Bond’s watch of choice as of late.
Why is it cool?
The Speedmaster or “Speedy” as many enthusiasts refer to the watch as is far and away the most famous chrono on this list. This watch was the first to walk the moon and is still in use by NASA today! There are countless stories and variations of this watch…which explains the cult like following. The Speedmaster is the quintessential chronograph and respected by collector of all levels.
Tag Heuer Monaco
What’s the brand?
Tag Heuer has a rich history of watchmaking dating back to 1860 with an affinity for creating chronographs. Tag Heuer or “Heuer” at the time is responsible for many advancements in the stop watch, the most famous being the Microsplit which allows events to be timed up to a hundredth of second. The Microsplit was very useful in timing sporting events such as the Olympics and various car races. Heuer and TAG joined forces in 1985 and today continue to produce some of the best chronos around.
Why is it cool?
The Monaco took everything in a traditional racing watch and flipped it upside down! The square case and sub-dials, the shiny blue face and a crown on the left side of the watch demanded people’s attention. This watch zigs when the rest zag and is meant for those who like to stand out from a crowd. To add the the watches mystique the Monaco gained much fame when it was featured on the wrist of Steve McQueen in the classic racing flick Le Mans.
How much will it cost?
This watch comes in colors and designs, it can be had for $6,100 – $6,550
Zenith Chronomaster El Primero
What’s the brand?
Zenith has been around for over 150 years and is know for their exceptional precision and reliability. The brand is committed to being on the cutting edge of innovation through its use of alternative case materials and ever improving movements. Today Zenith manufactures watches ranging from from $5,000 to upwards of $150,000!
Why is it cool?
The El Primero is Zenith’s flagship watch and for good reason. The watch houses one of the greatest movements ever created in the El Primero. The movement is so good that Rolex themselves purchased them from Zenith to place in their Daytona chronograph from 1988-2000!
How much will it cost?
The Zenith Chronomaster El Primero can be had for $8,700
Breitling Navitimer B01 Chronograph
What’s the brand?
Founded in 1884, Breitling has built their brand on aviation inspired timepieces that mimic clocks found in the cockpit of a plane. Breitling has was responsible for the chronograph watch we all know and love through numerous innovations in the early 1900’s. Today Breitling produces high quality aviation inspired watches with a new focus in using alternative materials in production.
Why is it cool?
The Navitimer is a monster of a watch with a diameter of 46mm and a thickness of 14.5mm…it has to fit all that text on the dial after all! Amazingly enough among all of the dial complexity, Breitling still finds a way to show the beauty in the chaos. Today the Navitimer comes equipped with Breitling’s B01 movement, which is widely regarded as one of the best around.
How much will it cost?
The Breitling Navitimer can be had on bracelet for $8,305 – 9,250
High End Luxury
High end luxury is by far the trickiest category, while the high retail prices of these watches is definitely barrier of entry for most, actually having the money to spend will not be enough to secure one! A person must build up a lucrative relationship with a local authorized dealer (which involves the purchase of multiple watches over a long period of time) OR one must bite the bullet and pay close to double the price on the secondary market. We take a look below at two Swiss manufacturers and one German manufacturer.
Rolex Daytona
What’s the brand?
Countless novels have been written about the Rolex brand…they don’t wear the crown for nothing! Rolex has (deservedly) sat as king among it’s peers since the brand’s founding in 1900. Today Rolex has one of the most valuable brands in the world and is very much a sign of success in the public eye. While some would argue that they are over hyped, it is impossible to argue they produce some killer watches.
Why is it cool?
Named by way of Rolex announcing its storied partnership with the Daytona 500. Oddly enough the Daytona derives its coolness from it’s sheer difficulty to purchase one…just like a race car these things tend to go fast and can be very elusive! Aside from the insanity of actually trying to purchase one, the Daytona has been worn by famous race car driver and actor Paul Newman, similar to the Monaco it was routinely his watch of choice.
How much will it cost?
This watch can be had on an oystersteel bracelet for $13,150
Audemars Piguet Royal Oak 26331ST
What’s the brand?
Audemars Piguet was founded in 1875 and for a long time was known for producing very limited quantities of watches which have become wildly collectible today. AP sits among Patek & Vacheron forming what it known as the holy trinity of watchmaking. This said, AP’s success wasn’t always immanent as the brand was on the brink of closure in the 1960’s before releasing its most iconic watch in the Royal Oak 1972 which breathed new life into the company. Today AP is still a family business committed to producing the best wristwatches possible.
Why is it cool?
The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak is a headturner and often seen on the wrist of influential people, most notably LeBron James or fictional wall street trailblazer Bobby Axelrod in Showtime’s Billions. The Royal Oak is an icon in the world of watches for its unique octagonal bezel with exposed screws and beautifly integrated bracelet – rest assured if this is on the wrist people will take note!
How much will it cost?
This Audemars Piguet Royal Oak 26331ST can be had for $24,300+
A. Lange & Söhne Datograph Up/Down
What’s the brand?
Lange was founded in 1868 by Adolf Lange and remained operational until 1946 the brand was closed when the East German government took over the business after declaring the current owners were Nazi war criminals which the brand denied. Walter Lange (Adolf’s grandson) fled to Bavaria after refusing to work for the new ownership. Walter returned to Germany in 1990 after the country was reunited and shortly after released its first generation of models. Today Lange produces watches of the highest quality lusted over by many collectors.
Why is it cool?
The Datograph is considered to be the best chronograph ever created through its trademark large date windows at 12 and flawlessly executed complications while still maintaining a simplistically beautiful design. We’ve included a shot of the movement for a reason! It is tough to not get lost in the universe Lange manages to create inside of this watch.
How much will it cost?
The VA. Lange & Söhne Datograph Up/Down can be had for €73,800
Disclaimers
Knowing how to change a watch strap is an absolute must! Check out our how to change a strap guide here
Watch prices can vary from time to time. We’ve done our best to track down some of the entry level watches on Amazon, the links below are part of their affiliate marketing program.