The Ceramic Edge with Five Scratch-Proof Chronographs

Continuing from last week’s Buying Guide, where we listed a series of titanium watches perfect for life during the summer, we return to the topic once more. But, to avoid repeating ourselves too much, now we take a look at another material perfectly suited for hot days: ceramic! Primarily known for its resistance to scratches and such, it’s also a touch lighter than steel, let alone precious metals! And to offer something practical, to time the arrival of your drink, or the time it takes for your steak to cook on the barbecue, we’ve opted for ceramic chronographs only!

IWC Pilot’s Watch Chronograph 41 TOP GUN miramar

We’re kicking things off in blue, with the IWC Pilot’s Watch Chronograph 41 TOP GUN Miramar. The latest to join the Colours of TOP GUN ranks, it gets a mid-blue ceramic case, dial and outline for the hands, inspired by the shirts worn by TOP GUN flight instructors underneath their flight suits. At 41.9mm across and 15.5mm in height, it’s a stout watch for sure, but the blue visually sizes it down a touch. Inside, we find IWC’s calibre IW69380 automatic column-wheel chronograph with 46 hours of autonomy. Worn on a Miramar blue rubber strap with EasX-Change system and a titanium pin buckle, this 1,000-piece limited edition costs EUR 14,100.

For more information, please visit IWC.com.

Quick Facts – 41.9mm diameter x 15.5mm height – Miramar blue ceramic case – titanium screw-in crown & pushers – sapphire crystal – solid titanium caseback with TOP GUN logo – Miramar blue dial & hands – white hour markers & SLN inserts – snailed sub-dials – day-date window – calibre IW69380, in-house automatic column-wheel chronograph – 28,800vph – 46h power reserve – Miramar blue rubber strap with pin buckle – EasX-Change quick-release system – limited to 1,000 pieces – EUR 14,100

Rado Captain Cook High-tech ceramic chronograph

Whether dressed in matte black high-tech ceramic or high-tech plasma ceramic, the latest edition of the Rado Captain Cook Chronograph is built to last. These virtually scratch-proof watches have a depth rating of 300 meters and come with Rado’s calibre R801, which is an ETA base with a chronograph module on top. Of the two, the black-and-gold high-tech ceramic one is the boldest, while the high-tech plasma version tones things down a bit with its typical gunmetal grey vibe. Even the three-link bracelet is made of the ultra-resilient material, so you won’t have to worry about wearing this one during summer! The price is set at EUR 5,935.

For more information, please visit Rado.com.

Quick Facts – 43mm x 16.2mm – monobloc high-tech ceramic or plasma ceramic case, brushed & polished – unidirectional rotating bezel – screw-down crown & pushers – sapphire crystal front & back – matte black or green dial – applied markers & hands with SLN – calibre R801, modular automatic chronograph – 28,800vph – 59h power reserve – three-link bracelet in high-tech ceramic or high-tech plasma ceramic with titanium folding clasp – EUR 5,935

Hublot Big Bang Unico Summer 2025

With a name like Summer 2025, the latest and very colourful Big Bang Unico by Hublot can’t be overlooked. The case is built up with light blue, orange and dark blue ceramic elements, colours which are also found on the openworked dial with oversized hands and markers filled with Super-LumiNova. Reminiscent of the Gulf Oil colours, it’s certainly a vibrant watch! Power comes from the HUB1280 flyback column-wheel chronograph, which is made in-house. It comes with three rubber straps (orange, dark blue or light blue) with a patented quick-release system and a folding clasp. Limited to 100 pieces, it retails for EUR 32,600.

For more information, please visit Hublot.com.

Quick Facts – 42mm x 14.5mm – multi-colour ceramic case – sky-blue ceramic bezel – sapphire crystal front & back – titanium crown & pushers – 100m water-resistant – openworked dial with dark blue finish – luminous markers & hands – HUB1280 Unico, in-house – automatic flyback chronograph with column wheel – 28,800vph – 72h power reserve – hours, minutes, small seconds, flyback chrono, date – three rubber straps with titanium deployant clasp – 100 pieces – EUR 32,600

Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Chronograph 2642CE

The Royal Oak Offshore has always represented the bolder face of Audemars Piguet’s iconic integrated sportswatch, and the 2642CE takes it to a new level. The titanium case has black and dark green ceramic elements. The contrast between the materials is striking, especially with the matching dark green Méga Tapisserie dial. A polished ring frames the black sub-dials, and the hour markers and hands are finished with Super-LumiNova. Inside ticks AP’s own calibre 4401, which is an integrated flyback chronograph movement. It comes on a textured calfskin strap, with a complementary black rubber one, for a price of EUR 58,200.

For more information, please visit AudemarsPiguet.com.

Quick Facts – 43mm x 14.4mm – octagonal case in titanium, black & green ceramic – sapphire crystal front & back – 100m water-resistant – dark green Méga Tapisserie dial – black sub-dials – applied markers & hands with SLN – calibre 4401, in-house – automatic integrated flyback chronograph – 28,800vph – 70h power reserve – integrated dark green textured calfskin leather strap with quick-release & folding clasp – additional black rubber strap – EUR 58.200

parmigiani fleurier tonda pf sport chronograph ultra-cermet

The sophisticated yet sporty Parmigiani Fleurier Tonda PF Sport Chronograph received quite an avant-garde look thanks to a material called Ultra-Cermet. The material is a mix of ceramics and titanium, and is incredibly challenging to machine. The 72-part case features alternating glossy or matte finishes that change looks under the lights. It can transition from light to dark or from soft to mirror-like reflective in an instant. Two versions are available, one in London Grey and one in Milano Blue, reaffirming Parmigiani’s keen sense of colour and style. Worn on a textured rubber strap that matches the sub-dials, it retails for CHF 39,900.

For more information, please visit Parmigiani.com.

Quick Facts – 42.5mm x 13.3mm – Ultra-Cermet case, brushed & polished – Ultra-Cermet bezel, crown & pushers – sapphire crystal front & back – 100m water-resistant – London Grey or Milano Blue dial – recessed sub-dials – applied markers & hands with SLN – calibre PF070, in-house – automatic integrated column-wheel chronograph – 36,000vph – 65h power reserve – integrated London Grey or Milano Blue textured rubber strap with folding clasp – CHF 39,900