Small but Mighty II – Six Mechanical Chronographs Under 40mm

Just last week, we looked at six very versatile watches of 36mm and under, and this week we’re sort of revisiting the topic. However, instead of looking at more time-only or time-and-date watches, we turn to one of the single most popular complications in the industry: the mighty Chronograph! While a chronograph movement requires a bit more real estate, and thus often a bigger case size, due to its complex construction, there are still plenty of rather compact options out there. And fortunately, there are some relatively affordable options on the market, too! With this in mind, here are six chronograph watches coming in at less than 40mm!

Longines Spirit Flyback Chronograph 39

While the Spirit collection by Longines has never lacked in style, it must be said that some models felt a tad oversized for comfort. The original Spirit Flyback Chronograph, for instance, came in at 42mm in width and a substantial height as well. However, Longines fixed things late last year with the more compact Spirit Flyback Chronograph 39mm. As its name suggests, it drops down to 39mm in diameter, with the height coming down to 13.4mm. It also performs mechanically, as it packs Calibre L792.4, a manually wound flyback chronograph. Available on a leather strap or stainless steel bracelet, it retails for EUR 5,150 or EUR 5,400.

For more information, please visit Longines.com.

Quick Facts – 39.5mm x 13.4mm – steel case, brushed & polished – bidirectional bezel with ceramic insert – sapphire crystal front & back – 100m water-resistant – matte black dial – gilt markers and hands with SLN – calibre L792.4, manually wound – column-wheel flyback chronograph – COSC certified chronometer – 28,800vph – 68h power reserve – steel bracelet with folding clasp or brown leather strap – EUR 5,150 (leather strap) – EUR 5,400 (steel bracelet)

Atelier Nossedh AN.01

You don’t always need excessive and over-the-top watchmaking to look stylish as heck, and the Atelier Nossedh AN.01 is living proof. Coming in at just 37mm in diameter and 10.5mm in height, the AN.01 is a classically styled bicompax chronograph, available in six colours. The leaf-shaped hands, as well as the applied dots for the hours, are polished for a touch of contrast over the dial. Under the solid caseback, the manually wound Sellita SW510 M delivers a sturdy 63 hours of power when fully wound. Fitted to an Epsom leather strap with a steel pin buckle, it’s available directly from Atelier Nossedh’s website for EUR 2,200.

For more information, please visit AtelierNossedh.com.

Quick Facts – 37mm x 10.5mm – stainless steel case, brushed & polished – sapphire crystal, solid caseback – 50m water-resistant – black, blue, brown, white, salmon or gold bicompax dial – Sellita SW510 M, manually wound chronograph – 28,800vph – 63h power reserve – Epsom leather strap with stainless steel pin buckle – available directly from the brand’s website – EUR 2,200

Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Chronograph 38

With this year’s new Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Chronograph 38mm also comes a brand-new movement, the Calibre 6401, which replaces the Calibre 2385. This fully integrated in-house movement can be seen through the back of the 38mm wide steel or pink gold case, which is also a first for the 38mm Royal Oak. The steel version comes with a blue dial, while the pink gold has either a grey or gold coloured dial (with the latter having a diamond-set bezel). Thanks to the compact 38mm case, the new 26450 series wears great on the wrist. Naturally, it comes with the signature Royal Oak bracelet, and prices range from CHF 34,000 to CHF 72,400.

For more information, please visit AudemarsPiguet.com.

Quick Facts – 38mm x 11.1mm – stainless steel or pink gold case, brushed & polished – sapphire crystal front & back – optional diamond-set bezel – 50m water-resistant – blue, grey or rose gold dial with grande tapisserie pattern – contrasting subdials – applied markers & hands with SLN – Calibre 6401, in-house automatic column-wheel chronograph – 28,800vph – 55h power reserve – integrated bracelet with folding clasp – CHF 34,000 (steel) – CHF 66,700 (rose gold) – CHF 72,400 (rose gold & diamonds)

Lebois & Co Heritage Chronograph Coquille d’œuf

While the Lebois & Co Heritage Chronograph was already quite the looker, this Coquille d’Oeuf is perhaps the finest iteration to date. Fitted with an eggshell coloured Grand Feu enamel dial, it takes the spirit of the vintage-inspired chronograph to new heights. Its restraint looks paired well with the pulsomete scale and bicompax layout, which are finished in black. All this is set into a 39mm wide steel case with shaped pushers and sturdy knurled crown, and powered by the manually wound Calibre LC-480 (La Joux-Perret). Worn on a vintage-style leather strap and limited to 25 pieces per year, it retails for EUR 9,800.

For more information, please visit Lebois.com.

Quick Facts – 39mm x 14.3mm – stainless steel case, brushed & polished – sapphire crystal front & back – elongated pushers – 50m water-resistant – eggshell Grand Feu enamel dial – bicompax layout – black markers, hands & scales – Calibre LC-450 (La Joux-Perret) – manually wound column wheel chronograph – 28,800vph – 60h power reserve – vintage-style leather strap with pin buckle – limited to 25 pieces per year – EUR 9.800

Zenith Chronomaster Original Blue

As one of the pioneers in chronograph watchmaking, it’s no surprise that Zenith makes this list. The Chronomaster Original Blue takes the style of the 1969 El Primero A386 and runs with it, in a super-stylish 38mm diameter. The deep blue dial comes with the trademark tricolour subdials and 1/10th of a second scale. Inside, it’s yet more typical Zenith goodness, as the fully integrated Calibre El Primero 3600 runs at a rate of 36,000vph, enabling precise chronograph measurements down to one tenth of a second. Delivered on a stainless steel bracelet and a secondary blue leather strap, it retails for EUR 10,400.

For more information, please visit ZenithWatches.com.

Quick Facts – 38mm x 12.9mm – stainless steel case, brushed & polished – sapphire crystal front & back – pump-style pushers – 50m water-resistant – midnight blue sunray brushed dial – tricolour subdials – 1/10th of a second scale – markers & hands with SLN – Calibre El Primero 3600, in-house – integrated automatic chronograph – 36,000vph – 60h power reserve – stainless steel bracelet with secondary blue leather strap – EUR 10.400

Raymond Weil Millésime Chronograph

Raymond Weil’s brilliant Millésime collection oozes vintage charm, with the Millésime Chronograph currently topping the range. Available in 39mm wide stainless steel or rose gold PVD-coated steel, it doubles down on the retro-good looks. The black or grey anthracite dial is finished with contrasting subdials and luminous applied markers and hands. Power comes from the Calibre RW5030, which is a Sellita SW510 at heart. Running at a rate of 28,800vph, it has a power reserve of 62 hours. In steel, it’s available on a leather strap or a steel bracelet, while the rose gold PVD one comes on leather only. Prices range from EUR 3,725 to EUR 3,895.

For more information, please visit RaymondWeil.com.

Quick Facts – 39mm x 12.9mm – stainless steel, brushed & polished – optional rose gold PVD coating – sapphire crystal front & back – 50m water-resistance – black or anthracite dial – contrasting subdial – applied markers & hands with SLN – Calibre RW5030 (Sellita base) – automatic cam-operated chronograph – 28,800vph – 62h power reserve – calfskin leather or stainless steel bracelet (non-coated version only) – EUR 3,725 (leather strap) – EUR 3,850 (steel bracelet) – EUR 3,895 (rose gold PVD)