Six Amazing New Chronograph Watches You Might Have Missed

As the year progresses, we’re all bombarded with tons of watches from countless brands and manufacturers. And I don’t know about you, but even for me, working inside the industry, it can be a real challenge keeping up with things. From affordable to very expensive, and from just a new dial colour to a complete revamp, there’s always a lot going on everywhere you look. So, I thought it would be a good idea to group together some of the watches you might have missed over the past few months. And for this Buying Guide, in particular, we will be looking at a fan-favourite complication: the chronograph!

TAG Heuer Monaco racing Green Calibre 11 Titanium

The TAG Heuer Monaco is a legendary watch for many reasons, but first and foremost, for its signature square case. On top of that, it featured one of the very first automatic chronograph movements when it was released. Ever since, it has become an icon of watchmaking and versatility, as countless iterations have come and gone. The latest is a fascinating titanium and racing green version of the Calibre 11, which famously puts the crown on the left. The sub-dials, as well as the leather strap, are finished in green, with yellow accents for an even more sporty look. It’s limited to 1,000 pieces and costs CHF 9,100.

For more information, please visit TAGHeuer.com.

Quick Facts – 39mm x 39mm – grade 2 titanium square case – domed & bevelled sapphire crystal – sapphire crystal caseback – 100m water-resistant – silver sunray brushed dial, green sub-dials – applied markers – hands & dots with SLN – yellow accents – calibre 11, automatic chronograph – 28,800vph – 40h power reserve – hours, minutes, small seconds, date, chronograph – green calfskin leather strap with yellow lining, folding clasp – limited to 1,000 pieces – CHF 9,100

Glashütte Original SeaQ Chronograph “Silver screen”

The SeaQ series is Glashütte Original’s retro-inspired answer to a luxury diving watch. The SeaQ Chronograph adds another level of complexity to that, with its two outlined sub-dials and signature Panorama Date display. This devilishly handsome “Silver Screen” edition has a matte galvanic silver dial, and the sub-dials are encircled by a black ring, with the black date discs visible in a frame just above the 6 o’clock marker. The in-house calibre 37-23 is an integrated automatic flyback chronograph driven by the familiar Double-G rotor. This formidable tool watch comes with a choice of straps and costs between EUR 15,300 and EUR 16,500.

For more information, please visit Glashuette-Original.com.

Quick Facts – 43.2mm x 16.95mm – stainless steel case, brushed & polished – unidirectional rotating bezel with ceramic insert – sapphire crystal front & back – screw-down crown – 300m water-resistant – galvanic matte silver dial – black outlined recessed sub-dials – big date window – markers & hands with SLN – calibre 37-23, in-house – flyback chronograph – 28,800vph – 70h power reserve – black rubber or synthetic strap, or steel bracelet – EUR 15,300 (pin buckle) – EUR 15,600 (folding clasp) – EUR 16,500 (bracelet)

Oris Aquis Chronograph

Oris is on a proverbial roll this year. Not only has it revamped the Aquis Date, but is also refining the Aquis Chronograph. Shedding some size and heft, Oris’ highly-capable diving chronograph drops down to 43.5mm in width and 16.2mm in height (coming from 45.5mm x 18.3mm). The touch-ups include a gradient blue dial, snailed sub-dials, applied markers and hands with Super-LumiNova inserts, and a newly proportioned rotating bezel with a blue ceramic insert. The steel bracelet and folding clasp have been completely reworked, too. Powered by the Oris 773 calibre (Sellita SW510), this Aquis Chronograph retails for EUR 4,400.

For more information, please visit Oris.ch.

Quick Facts – 43.5mm x 16.2mm – stainless steel case – unidirectional rotating bezel with ceramic insert – sapphire crystal front & back – screw-down crown – 300m water-resistant – gradient blue dial – recessed sub-dials – applied markers & hands with SLN – Oris calibre 773 (Sellita SW500 base) – automatic chronograph – 28,800vph – 62h power reserve – hours, minutes, seconds, date, chronograph – stainless steel bracelet with security folding clasp & fine adjustment – EUR 4,400

Maurice Lacroix Aikon Chronograph Titanium

During Geneva Watch Days this year, Maurice Lacroix expanded its highly successful Aikon collection with several titanium editions, including a pair of chronographs. Using the Aikon Chronograph 44 as a reference, the brand opted for a contrasting mix of grade 2 and grade 5 titanium for the shaped case and integrated bracelet. The dial comes in two bold tones: vibrant purple or luxurious champagne gold. Both have contrasting sub-dials and are powered by calibre ML112 (derived from the Sellita SW500). For now, it is only available on the integrated titanium bracelet, and this lightweight Aikon Chronograph retails for CHF 4,150.

For more information, please visit MauriceLacroix.com.

Quick Facts – 44mm x 15mm – grade 2 & grade 5 titanium case – fixed bezel with signature claws – sapphire crystal front & back – shrouded pushers – hexagonal crown – 200m water-resistant – purple or golden dial with lattice-like motif – contrasting sub-dials – polished hands & markers with Super-LumiNova – calibre ML112 (Sellita SW500 base) – automatic chronograph – 28,800vph – 48h power reserve – integrated titanium bracelet with folding buckle – CHF 4,150

Seiko prospex Speedtimer chronograph SRQ051 & SRQ053

Seiko has quite a history with mechanical chronographs, and the latest pair of Prospex Speedtimer Chronographs perfectly encapsulates that. The SRQ051 and SRQ053 combine a 42mm wide by 14.6mm tall stainless steel case with blue or black reverse panda dials. The contrasting sub-dials are matched with a white minutes track and a printed white tachymeter scale, and are offset with red touches for the chronograph hands. Inside, the calibre 8R48 keeps things going at a rate of 28,800vph and a duration of 45 hours. The stylish multi-link stainless steel bracelet gives it even more character, and the watches cost EUR 2,700.

For more information, please visit SeikoWatches.com.

Quick Facts – 42mm x 14.6mm – stainless steel case, brushed & polished – sapphire crystal – solid caseback – 100m water-resistant – blue or black reverse panda dial – silver-coloured markers & hands – LumiBrite inserts – calibre 8R48, in-house – automatic chronograph with column wheel & vertical clutch – 28,800vph – 45h power reserve – hours, minutes, seconds, date, chronograph – multi-link stainless steel bracelet with triple folding clasp – EUR 2,700

Blancpain Air Command Flyback Chronograph 42 green

While I could have opted for the compact 36mm wide version of the green Blancpain Air Command, the high-beat movement of the 42mm edition won me over in the end. The Air Command collection embodies the spirit of Blancpain’s vintage pilot chronographs. The new rich green tone for the dial is just superb and matched to beige markers and inserts in the hands. The bidirectional rotating bezel is fitted with a black ceramic insert, and the 200-piece limited edition comes on a deep green leather strap. The calibre F388B powered by a propellor-shaped rotor is a 5Hz integrated flyback movement. The price is set at CHF 21,200.

For more information, please visit Blancpain.com.

Quick Facts – 42.50mm x 13.7mm – grade 23 titanium case – bidirectional titanium bezel, black ceramic insert – sapphire crystal front & caseback – 30m water-resistant – matte green dial – tachymeter scale – calibre F388B, in-house – automatic hi-beat integrated flyback chronograph with column wheel and vertical clutch – 36,000vph – silicon balance & balance-spring – 50h power reserve – leather strap with folding clasp (pin buckle also available) – limited to 200 pieces – CHF 20,100