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Here's Our Best Chronograph Watches To Make An Impact In The Office

UPDATED FEBRUARY 2024

Chronograph watches originally came into the limelight after Longines released the very first wrist based chronograph timepiece, the 13.33Z in 1913. Since then, chronograph watches have rocketed in popularity, soaring sky high and fitting us with some high quality designs.

Undergoing development by Breitling in 1923, the chronograph came equipped with pushers which allowed for starting, stopping and resetting to all occur via a few nifty clicks.

The race for the first automatic chronograph between Zenith, Breitling and a few other top luxury brands resulted in the chronograph skyrocketing in popularity.

Where are we now? Well, everyone adores chronograph watches! From shaking hands in first class with an aviation chronograph slash pilot’s watch to dropping into second to burn some rubber with a racing chronograph, the variety of editions is endless.

Who knew when the chronograph was invented some 200 years ago by Louis Moinet, then produced and manufactured by Nicolas Mathieu Rieussec in 1821 for King Louis XVIII that we would be still waxing lyrical about this most important of complications.

Now, there are more modern pioneers such as TAG Heuer with their Monaco, Omega with their Speedmaster and the king’s Rolex with their Daytona.

But now, to the reason why we are all here. Let’s deep dive into our best chronograph watches for men to make an impact in the office. Suiting all manner of styles, budgets, designs and big boardroom bonus points, our comprehensive list will leave no horological stone unturned.

In fact you won’t need to look anywhere else.

Longines Avigation BigEye

Crystal	Sapphire
Case Size	41mm
Water Resistance	30 metres
Calibre	Movement: L688
Price	You can buy a Longines Avigation BigEye at retail for £3,800 as of February

The Longines Aviation BigEye takes strong inspiration from the original aviation pieces dating back to the 1930’s.

Longines BigEye, Source - Longines

Of course, there have been a few notable developments since then…the case is crafted out of titanium. Now, for a man in the sky, being swift from the wrist is an absolute necessity. Titanium is both lighter and more durable than steel so we are in great hands.

There’s nothing better than a great metal to suit those oh so tasteful luxury chronograph watches!

Given a stunning blue petroleum grained dial which is light in its centre and darkens at its periphery, the piece is as moody as the London Underground at rush hour. This novelty is definitely more accustomed to mystery and suspense.

Dolled up with large Arabic numerals to maximise visibility, it features classic chronograph functions like a 30-minute chronograph counter. Powered by the calibre L688, the movement runs at 28,800VpH and offers a power reserve of 60 hours.

This is one beast of a movement!

In the office, keep the vibe of the blue by wearing a navy suit to boss the boardroom. Its rich colour and precious metal build means it certainly has the potential to be a solid investment piece, not to mention a classic staple for any gents collection.

Grand Seiko Evolution 9 Tentagraph

Crystal	Sapphire
Case Size	43.2mm
Water Resistance	100 metres
Calibre	Movement: Grand Seiko 9SC5 automatic
Price	You can buy a Grand Seiko Evolution 9 Tentagraph at retail for £12,500 as of February 2024

Grand Seiko’s Tentagraph is a high beat machine that’ll scare off any beatboxer into the darkened corner of a room or stage. However, could this be the David Guetta of watches? Shoot it down, but it won’t fall, this one is certainly titanium.

After all, it represents Grand Seiko’s first ever jump into mechanical chronographs. And we are huge fans.

Grand Seiko Tentagraph, Source - Grand Seiko

Their typical use of a “Spring Drive” has been altered in favour of mechanical watches. While we do love a good Spring Drive motion, Grand Seiko have knocked us on the floor with the latest Evolution 9 Tentagraph.

Released in 2023 it is crafted out of titanium while the bezel is made out of ceramic, enhancing the visibility of the tachymetric scale, offering first-rate durability against scratches. The dial takes inspiration from a starry winter night in Mount Iwate, the HQ of Japanese based Grand Seiko.

There’s nothing that suits us better than being reminded of a delightful starry night.

The movement runs at 10 beats per second, offering a sturdy 72 hours of power reserve, blending a column wheel and vertical clutch to keep it running as smooth as silk The calibre is tight and ready to beat out that good Grand Seiko stuff!

Get people looking starry eyed when you wear this with a black suit when patrolling the office floor. Its phenomenal 10 beats per second movement and ingenuous dial design makes this a fairly solid investment if you want to buy one of the best chronograph watches for men!

Fans of horological literature will immediately realise that “Tentagraph” is a portmanteau that relates to its ten beats per second frequency.

Breitling Superocean Heritage B01 Chronograph

Crystal	Sapphire
Case Size	44mm
Water Resistance	200 metres
Calibre	Movement: Breitling B01 automatic
Price	You can buy a Breitling Superocean Heritage at retail for £6,700 as of February 2024

The Superocean first graced our horological hands way back in 1957 when The Omega Speedmaster was up and ready to conquer space.

This represented Breitling’s deviation from aviation watches and their subsequent plunge head first into dive watches for men.

Breitling Superocean, Source - Breitling

This edition follows the same level of style and exact design codes from the 1950s timepiece. Of course, watches for men have since expanded, especially Breitling’s array of delivering some of the best luxury chronograph watches around.

Plus, we don’t even have time to mention about the legendary Navitimer with its iconic slide-rule bezel that remains a stalwart in the chronograph category.

Featuring the classic triangular hands as well as a ceramic bezel and accompanying polished ceramic ring, the Superocean Heritage is a classy divers watch which can easily suit the everyday battleground of the office.

Given a deep blue dial with a sunburst finish, light glances across the three black subdials, white hands, indices and markers on the bezel. Composed of stainless steel, this chronograph watch pulls no punches when it comes to its diving heritage, especially since it comes kitted with a mesh bracelet. Respect indeed.

The Breitling B01 automatic calibre is COSC certified, ensuring that you only get the very best movement when you buy a Breitling.

The piece would look sublime when flexed with a powder blue suit shirt to really enhance the darker elements of the piece. It’s bulky 44mm design is perfect for keeping it over shirt cuffs. Flowing with heritage and COSC certified, the piece is certainly one of the best chronographs from this collection.

Rolex Daytona 126500LN

Crystal	Sapphire
Case Size	40mm
Water Resistance	100 metres
Calibre	Movement: Calibre 4131
Price	You can buy a Rolex at retail for £13,200 as of February 2024

Celebrating 60 years of the Daytona this year, Rolex went pretty wild at Watches and Wonders 2023.

Rolex Daytona - Source - Reddit

Most notably, the Daytona was given a new facelift while still appealing to the vintage Daytona lovers and more generally, those that appreciate stunning design executed in one of the best chronographs since the dawn of time (well almost).

Featuring thinner sub dial rings and a classic Cerachrom bezel, it is much more refined and ready for whatever action your working day throws at you.

Made from Oyster steel, the model has a white lacquered dial, complemented with 18K white gold markers and hands which are similarly coated with Rolex’s own Chromalight luminescent.

Powered by the Superlative Chronometer calibre 4131, the timepiece is capable of doling out 28,800VpH and offering 72 hours of power reserve. A big tick for the weekend-proof movement fans among you.

Oh yes, to top it off, the piece is held together with a brushed and polished Oystersteel bracelet featuring an Oysterlock folding clasp to ensure this beauty never slides away. Looking good has never been or felt so easy with these best chronographs.

Pair this with a light green suit to boast the white and black elements of this slinky and most elegant of watches. Due to its celebratory heritage and redesigned dial, we predict that this has the potential to be an excellent investment piece.

A. Lange & Söhne Odysseus

Crystal	Sapphire
Case Size	42.5mm
Water Resistance	120 metres
Calibre	Movement: Lange L156.1 Datomatic Calibre
Price	You can buy an A. Lange & Söhne at retail when you request a price.

Lange & Söhne have been exceptionally brave with releasing their brand new Odysseus Chronograph. For a brand that’s already famed for the UP/DOWN Datograph, A. Lange & Söhne are the big boys of the horological universe!

A.Lange & Sohne Odysseus, Source - Reddit

Featuring the brand’s very first automatic chronograph, they have maintained the immensely stylish Odysseus dial style with the big date at 9 and 3 o’clock while including a chronograph seconds and minutes hand just under the hands at 6 o’clock.

They have competently negated the requirement for usual three sub dial layout, instead opting for a central hand instead which reads against the outer track. A close look would reveal a pusher at 2 and 4 o’clock that’s blended covertly into the stainless steel case.

The black grained centre dial boasts the main hands and 6 o’clock sub dial while the matt black periphery features the silvery indices and hands, all of which are coated with Luminova to support its legibility.

Who needs salmon dials like the H. Moser Streamliner Centre Seconds piece when you can purchase one of the best luxury chronograph watches that looks tip top in black?

The movement is top notch, offering a very fitting 50 hour power reserve for those long days away from your desk. It’s a solid calibre that powers a number of complications so no complaints here!

We recommend adorning this with a white suit for those days in the office where being noticed matters. Its Odysseus heritage, 100 piece cap and crafty dial design is something the public love, so keep an eye on this A Lange & Söhne as a possible investment piece.

Tudor Pelagos FXD Chrono Alinghi Red Bull Racing

Crystal	Sapphire
Case Size	43mm
Water Resistance	200 metres
Calibre	Movement: Manufacture Calibre MT5813
Price	You can buy a Tudor Pelagos FXD Chrono Alinghi Red Bull at retail for £4,560 at the time of writing.

Tudor and water sports is a more iconic duo than Will Smith and Chris Rock at the Oscars… is that in bad taste?

Tudor Red Bull Alinghi Chronograph - Source - Tudor

The partnership between Tudor and Alinghi Red Bull Racing occurred in 2022, bringing with it Tudor’s venture into more creative chronograph watches, inspired by the team.

Crafted with a black matte finished carbon composite case and strap bars, the design is extremely reminiscent of the racing boat with its carbon fibre hull and mast.

Not enough? How about the bi-directional rotatable bezel that’s made out of titanium and dosed with a Grade X1 Super-Luminova, not to mention the similarly black matte finished carbon composite insert.

Well, just take time out to gaze at the Hydrofoil and hull fittings on the boat that is similarly made out of titanium!

Sporting a blue dial with red “Pelagos” text, seconds hand and ring around the sub dials, the piece is a very exceptional work of Red Bull flavoured horology. Oh, we’ll drink to that. The fabric strap is hand woven in France and features the same blue and red colour scheme, aligning to the Red Bull logo.

The movement is COSC certified, allowing you a guarantee that the calibre will keep on moving as fast as Sebastien Vettel. And yes it can stand up to the toughest of knocks. For primal gentlemen, this is a must if you're seeking some of the best luxury chronograph watches with added vigour.

Theme it up with a navy blue suit and red tie in line with this majestic beauty. Its links to Red Bull and its COSC certification means it’s definitely a piece to look out for on the investment portfolio.

Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Control Calendar

Crystal	Sapphire
Case Size	40mm
Water Resistance	50 metres
Calibre	Movement: Jaeger-LeCoultre Calibre 759
Price	You can buy a Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Control Calendar at retail for £31,200 as of February 2024

Who says chronograph watches for men have to be sporty?

Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Control, Source - Jaeger-LeCoultre

The Master Control collection got overhauled in 2020 with a completely fresh design. That being said, the key elements of the collection remain in all their horological glory.

After all, why would you want to change one of the best chronographs in the business that was the first to undergo the famed Jaeger-LeCoultre 1000 hour quality control test?

At an exceptionally sleek 12.05mm thickness, the piece features not only a chronograph, but a complete calendar display. Thank goodness for the astonishing Calibre 759 that runs such impressive complications.

The movement offers a hardy 28,800VpH which are perfect chronographs for men who mean business behind and in front of their desk. This is especially the case since the movement enjoys a weekend-proof 65 hour power reserve.

Enough time for you to fly to Watches and Wonders 2024 and back.

Built in an 18K pink gold case, the black dial stands out superbly, especially since it features similarly pink gold gilted accents on the indices, hands and sub dial features. The dial houses the beautiful moon phase, date, day and month with a perpetual calendar complication…all in an intricately well organised design.

Sharp, sharp sharp is the topic of this model, so get that black suit on and polish those brown brogues. Its precious metal build and immensely complicated dial face is a hot topic in the horological world so keep your eyes peeled for this as an investment opportunity.

The A. Lange & Söhne 1815 Rattrapante Perpetual Calendar

Crystal	Sapphire
Case Size	41.9mm
Water Resistance	30 metres
Calibre	Movement: L101.1 Calibre
Price	You can buy a A. Lange & Söhne 815 Rattrapante Perpetual Calendar at retail when you request a price as of February 2024.

So, it’s been ten years since The 1815 Rattrapante Perpetual Calendar was released. We think it’s high time for a celebration! Strap yourselves in.

A.Lange & Söhne 1815 Rattrapante Chronograph - Source - A.Lange & Söhne

Put your bunting away, Timelords. New for 2023, A. Lange & Söhne have very politely released a stunning variation of the timepiece in an exquisite white gold case, kitted out with a pink gold dial.

As far as A. Lange & Söhne goes with chronograph dial design, they have switched the Lange 1’s stylish triangle shape sub dial for a more conservative design.

Now this brand is to timekeeping what Elvis is to music. Known as the King of complications, this new novelty showcases (wait for it) not just standard timekeeping but subsidiary seconds, elapsed time in two intervals, split seconds chronograph, date and day of the week function and a moon phase with leap year indicator.

Take a moment…breathe in, then out.

The salmon dial colour shows the blued timekeeping and co-axial hands while the black sub dials evokes a fantastic display of high grade legibility making this another hot contender for best chronograph. The movement is obviously top notch to keep up with all of these complications.

We do love the design quirks such as the bridges made out of German silver and it requires the movement to be constructed two times over. This ensures pristine quality and finishes are all up to scratch.

The movement steps up with a power reserve of 42 hours which is just under 2 days. Not bad, but it certainly doesn't touch the movement of watches like The Panerai Luminor 8 Days GMT or The IWC Portugieser Automatic 7 Day Power Reserve.

Style it out with a pink suit shirt to go with the salmon fit, or play it conservative with a grey, slate suit. Since it's limited to 100 pieces and made up of white gold, this is certainly a possibly desirable piece for the investment oriented buyer!

TAG Heuer Carrera Skipper

Crystal	Sapphire
Case Size	39mm
Water Resistance	100 metres
Calibre	Movement: TH20-06 Calibre
Price	You can buy a TAG Heuer Carrera Skipper at retail for £5,900 as of February 2024

The TAG Heuer Skipper originated from the 1960s and for us is one of the best chronographs to enhance any seasoned collector or enthusiasts collection. Providing Intrepid, a boating team, a series of stopwatches and chronograph watches, they were trying to support the team to defend the America's Cup in ‘67.

Of course, Intrepid won, meaning TAG Heuer had an excuse to release “The Skipper” chronograph in 1968.

Taking strong inspiration from the highly influential Glassbox Carrera collection, this piece was released in July and projects the line into the future of minimalist horology.

Speaking of the future, have you seen their innovative use of lab-grown diamonds on the Carrera Plasma Diamant D’Avant-Garde?

TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph - Source - TAG Heuer

Removing the bezel, the Carrera design has undergone a complete change, instead choosing to follow some of the infamous Glassbox cues. At 39mm, the steel case features low down lugs which makes sense given that there is no bezel and the sapphire crystal is domed.

It’s all about detail and placement, guys if you want to make the best chronographs list!

The dial follows a deep sea blue (no not summer blue!)which perfectly matches the ocean aesthetic. Match this with the mint green and tri colour, British racing green, mint green and red subdials, and we have ourselves some watches for men that’s fit for the briney seas!

Green can be a tad overdone like the Oris Kermit, but TAG Heuer has found the perfect balance. Sure they may have moved the Skipper text to the subdial rather than between 11 and 2 as per the old version.

Nonetheless, this does not detract from the chronograph functions that have altered from its predecessors, instead choosing a 15 minute sub dial instead of a 30 minute one at 3 o’clock. Powered by the TH20-06 automatic movement, the calibre runs at 28,800VpH and has an 80 hour power reserve. How very versatile!

We suggest strapping this on with some khaki suit trousers and white suit shirt to let the distinctive colour do the talking. Its vintage nod, significant back story, combined with its stunning use of colour means this is a potentially strong investment piece for your man closet.

Breitling Super Chronomat B01 44 U.S Limited Edition

Crystal	Sapphire
Case Size	44mm
Water Resistance	200 metres
Calibre	Movement: Calibre 01
Price	You can buy a Breitling Super Chronomat B01 44 U.S Limited Edition at retail in the United States for around £24,000

The Chronomat collection is almost 40 years old since its original release in 1984. Ever since its launch, it’s been a horological playground brimming with timekeeping delights. Shall we re-iterate the ingenious use of lab-grown diamonds on the Super Chronomat collection?

Breitling Super Chronomat, Source - Acquire Mag

Breitling has therefore been a little kinder to this line, updating it with the latest Super Chronomat B01 44 U.S Limited Edition. Featuring a very tasteful rose gold case, the piece is similarly bolstered with a rich navy blue dial which you can sink into.

The black ceramic bezel stands out perfectly, especially since it matches the three black sub dials on the dial and the chronograph pushers on the edges of the case. Feeling like you want to pimp your piece?

Utilise the rider tabs at 3 and 9 o’clock to change your bezel from an elapsed time scale to a countdown scale. We only wish that more of these best chronographs had this type of functionality!

But what is a model without a movement? The Calibre 01 movement runs at a steady 28,800VpH and offers a chunky 70 hour power reserve. This chronograph’s movement is one heavy hitter!

Even though it has an exhibition back, exposing the chronograph movement, you can still get 200 metres of water resistance.

Strut your stuff with a tan suit shirt to link with the rose gold and get the eyes of the office off your corny Christmas jumpers and onto your impressive wristwear. Its precious metal build and 140 piece cap means it’s ideal for investment conscious wearers who want to own one of the best chronograph watches from this brand.

H.Moser & Cie Streamliner Flyback Chronograph Automatic

Crystal	Sapphire
Case Size	42.3mm
Water Resistance	120 metres
Calibre	Movement: Calibre HMC 907
Price	You can buy an H.Moser & Cie Streamliner Flyback Chronograph at retail for around £54,000 as of February 2024.

A chronograph without sub-dials or registers? We have chronographs to suit the fussiest and most discerning of wearers.

H.Moser & Cie Streamliner Chronograph - Source - H.Moser & Cie

Originally only available in stainless steel, the H. Moser & Cie Streamliner Flyback Chronograph has come out with all horological guns blazing. Measuring 42.3mm, it is crafted out of rose gold in a cushion case.

The oblong pushers residing at both 2 o’clock and 10 o’clock are beautiful additions to a truly awesome timepiece.

The British Racing green dial is very incandescent, especially since it's completely devoid of any sub dials. The fabulous fumé effect as seen on the H. Moser & Cie. Streamliner Centre Seconds Smoked Salmon is complimented with a sunburst finish. This ensures a dressier vibe to the sporty watches for men.

So, where are some of the best chronograph features I hear you yelp? A closer inspection reveals an extra set of hands that track both the elapsed minutes and seconds for the chronograph feature by utilising the minute track on the periphery of the dial. The running seconds indicator has been benched to allow the minimalist feel to come through.

The movement offers 72 hours power reserve, not to mention its ability to reach 120 metres of water resistance. For such a neat watch, with an even cooler movement, we simply have to tilt our horological hats to its watchmaking greatness!

We think green is the answer to the outfit, so pair this with a dark green shirt for those casual Fridays in the office. The precious metal case and ingenious construction means you should consider this best luxury chronograph as a statement piece.

Because, like L'oreal, you are worth it as is a quick glance on the investment front.

Richard Mille RM 72-01 Le Mans Classic Watch

Crystal	Sapphire
Case Size	38.4mm
Water Resistance	30 metres
Calibre	Movement: Calibre CRMC1
Price	You can buy a Richard Mille RM 72-01 Le Mans at retail for around £260,000 as of February 2024

Richard Mille without doubt loves a good chronograph, especially since the brand has deep lying connections with so many athletes like Rafael Nadal, Cristiano Ronaldo and F1 Star Charles Leclerc. As they say, time is of the essence.

Richard Mille RM 72-01 Le Mans Classic, Source - Richard Mille

However, for this watch, it’s all about an event instead. Named after the incredible 24 Hours Of Le Mans which marks its 100th anniversary this year, the watch is adorned with colours and styles, alluding to the grand event.

Developed from the beautiful RM 72 collection, the tonneau shaped case is maintained, as well as its titanium screw construction. Meanwhile, the case is made out of the exceptionally light white and green quartz TPT which is Richard Mille’s very own material.

The dial itself is skeletonised, deviating away from the usual RM 72 dial style. While this skeletonised dial could be confusing to the user due to the movement being exposed, the chronograph sub-dials and hands are clearly exposed.

The subdials are made up of running seconds at 9 o’clock while 60 minute and 24 hour registers are located at 2 and 5 o’clock.

The dial similarly features a green and white minute track and flange, pertaining to the case and the overall theme of a chequered flag motif in the spirit of Le Mans.

One of the best luxury chronograph watches to flaunt on and off the track, it is given a white rubber strap that rounds off an ode to such an iconic event.

The movement is exposed, revealing the quality calibre in all its glory. The movement runs at a solid 50 hour power reserve, with a few stunning finishes like the micro blasted and chamfered bridges. Oh you are spoiling us with your horological box of delights.Keep things clean with a white shirt and consider wearing a green tie to follow the distinctive aesthetic. The unique event coupled with a 150 limited edition piece means this Richard Mille is another best chronograph that’s almost nailed on to be a great investment prospect.

IWC Big Pilot Perpetual Calendar Top Gun Lake Tahoe

Lake Tahoe is known for its sumptuous mountains and TOPGUN flying school. If you feel the need for speed then this new novelty might be for you.

Crystal	Sapphire
Case Size	46.5mm
Water Resistance	60 metres
Calibre	Movement: Calibre 52615
Price	You can buy an IWC Big Pilot Perpetual Calendar TOP GUN Lake Tahoe at retail for around £34,900 as of February 2024.

Utilising the perpetual calendar from Kurt Klaus during the 1980s, IWC watches for men have turned us on with great zest thanks to its variety of complications. Coloured a beautiful white ceramic as influenced by the icy caps of Lake Tahoe, the colour is bursting with more vibrancy than a Skittle.

IWC Lake Tahoe Top Gun - Source - IWC

Yet this rainbow you cannot taste as black and white are the dominating accents. Oh don’t forget the onion ring shaped crown. Incorporating four sub dials in a diamond shape, it goes back to black with a matt black dial style with accompanying white indices and hands, etching into the face of the piece. Even the moonphase sub dial is visible only in black and white.

This has made it onto our best chronographs due to its simplicity and minimalism in regard to colour…but opposites do attract. As for its technical features, this Big Pilot contains a moonphase disc, perpetual calendar and various date functions. Ideal for the chronograph loving horophile!

The IWC Big Pilot Perpetual Calendar Lake Tahoe movement is one for the horological archives. Offering 28,800VpH and a 46 hour power reserve, the movement is ready for whatever life throws at you. The movement features a very tidy Côtes de Genève. Shame we can’t see it due to the solid TOPGUN emblazoned caseback!

We recommend complementing the tones of this timepiece so a black suit for the weekdays with a crisp white shirt will come up trumps. The highly regarded ceramic case and Lake Tahoe inspired theme will certainly help keep this flying high as one of our best chronographs with potential investment properties.

Hublot Big Bang UNICO Full Magic Gold

It’s been 18 years since the Big Bang waltzed into the horological forefront of Hublot’s collection. Worn by many celebs such as Usain Bolt, Diego Maradona and even England Manager Garath Southgate.

Crystal	Sapphire
Case Size	44mm
Water Resistance	100 metres
Calibre	Movement: Calibre HUB1280 Unico 2 flyback
Price	You can buy a Hublot Big Bang Unico Full Magic Gold at retail for £33,500 as of February 2024.

As a special celebration, Hublot has taken the liberty of releasing the Hublot Big Bang Unico Full Magic Gold in all its golden glory. Is it just us or do you have that song by Scottish group Pilot in your head from 1974…woah oh oh it’s magic, you know.

Crafted out of their very own magic gold alloy, the piece is highly scratch resistant and tough against knocks and scrapes. Alakazam.

Hublot Big Bang UNICO Full Skeleton - Source - Hublot

As it’s made out of 18k gold and ceramic, the piece doesn't have the standard yellow gold glow. It’s a rather dulled affair. Not to worry though as it’s all part of the rugged yet luxurious styling of this sophisticated chronograph watch.

The dial is entirely skeletonised, leaving the bare bones Arabic numerals injected with one baton numeral in between. Combined with the two sub dials at 3 and 9 o’clock as well as the hands, these are all given a similar golden sheen to the case.

Operating a flyback chronograph movement, (a flyback of course relating to stopping and simultaneously starting a time measurement with just a button), the Cal HUB1280, the column wheel is moved to the side in order for us to drool inside the exhibition case back.

You can wear this with a black suit to enhance the colour or a tan outfit to boost your slicked back look.

The movement offers a 72 hour power reserve which is exceptional considering the complexity of the 384 part movement. As a calibre, we couldn’t ask for much better!

As it’s made out of the rare in-house material, in celebration of such a monumental release and limited to 200 pieces, this luxury chronograph watch has bags of potential as an investment opportunity.

TAG Heuer Monaco Skeleton

Crystal	Sapphire
Case Size	39mm
Water Resistance	100 metres
Calibre	Movement: Heuer 02
Price	You can buy a TAG Heuer Monaco Skeleton at retail for £9,800 as of February 2024

The Monaco is the holy grail watch for TAG Heuer’s eclectic collections. Its close association with Steve McQueen already catapults it into epic status. Why? Well, Steve Mcqueen adorned this beauty in the Le Mans film in 1971.

TAG Heuer Monaco, Source - TAG Heuer

Deemed one of the best chronographs perhaps of all time, TAG Heuer has revolutionised the Monaco collection by releasing a skeletonised edition. Given the same squared case, it measures 39mm with sandblasted titanium, setting the scene of the avant-garde construction.

Sort of like a few Bell & Ross watches, the squared case houses a circular dial, akin to Monaco watches since the beginning of time (almost). The indices are large and thick and covered in highly luminescent coatings.

They sometimes cut through the two squared sub dials situated at 3 and 9 o’clock in a non obtrusive yet highly fashionable manner.

Petrol heads and F1 nerds are well and truly catered for thanks to the timely release of the Monaco, marking the 80th Monaco Grand Prix in 2023.

The main colour scheme is gun blue for the minute track with visible movement and indices, while the rest is slate grey like the sub dials and hand…aside from the seconds and sub dial hands.

These are a neon red, adding an instant pop of colour.

The movement is no steady eddie. Pounding the pavement at 28,800VpH, it has an incredible 80 hour power reserve. Try that on for size, rival calibres!Featuring sleek pushers on the side, the piece showcases what we think are one of the best chronograph watches for men of the moment. It may be worth wearing a similarly grey ensemble when bossing the office.

Its titanium build and modernised reinvention of the Monaco collection are desirable as a possible investment piece.

Zenith Defy Extreme E 2023 Limited Edition

Crystal	Sapphire
Case Size	45mm
Water Resistance	200 metres
Calibre	Movement: El Primero 9004
Price	You can buy a Zenith Defy Extreme E 2023 Limited Edition at retail for £26,600 as of February 2024

Zenith is famed for its speedy pieces, reaching up to 1/100th of a second.

Zenith Defy Extreme E - Source - Twitter

Of course, Zenith are also famed for a few other things, most notably producing arguably the best chronograph movement of the lot…The El Primero. Released during the Quartz Crisis, it was so powerful and coveted, that it caused a tumultuous shift in favour of mechanical watches instead of quartz pieces.

As official timekeepers of the Extreme E races, Zenith has a responsibility to provide highly accurate times at all costs, plus make the odd collaboration watch!

Crafted out of the modern carbon fibre material, Zenith does away with its previous colouring of orange, yellow and purple and chooses to go with a more electrifying colour scheme. The case is almost entirely black.

The colour comes in the form of the dial and the condura style strap which has a turquoise colouring named “Vital Green”.

As it’s made completely out of the material, it’s comfortably the most lightweight edition and best chronograph movement with 1/100th of a second capabilities they’ve released.

It’s still immensely stylish as the dial has three sub dials, edged with the vibrant colouring including a power reserve indicator, elapsed seconds at 6 o’clock and a 30 minute counter based at 3 o’clock.

As a 1/100th of a second function, it is instantly catapulted to the heady heights of great calibres. The Rolls-Royce of calibres if you will. Providing a sensational 36,000VpH and a rock solid 50 hour power reserve, this movement is for the go-getters!

From hammering out those last-minute spreadsheets to taking that VIP client out to lunch, you could wear this in or out of the office and never grow tired of it. We recommend a black suit jacket with a white shirt to let the green hue through.

Its claim to fame as the highest frequency watches to date, modern materials and limited edition pieces ensures these beauties make it effortlessly onto our best luxury chronograph watches hitlist.

Chopard Mille Miglia Classic Chronograph Reference 168619-4001

Crystal	Sapphire
Case Size	40.5mm
Water Resistance	50 metres
Calibre	Movement: Chopard Self Winding Mechanical Chronometer Certified Chronograph Calibre
Price	You can buy a Chopard Mille Miglia Classic Chronograph at retail for £9,660 as of February 2024

The 1000 Miglia car race is a sensational event with only the greatest cars around. That being said, can we introduce the equally luxurious Chopard Mille Miglia Classic Chronograph 168619-4001.

Chopard Mille Miglia - Source - Chopard

Chopard watches for men tend to be dynamic and exciting, featuring circular dials and lucent steel pushers. Well, this edition takes things one step further…

Featuring a dual material of the highly precious 18K yellow gold and stainless steel, this refined timepiece blends both luxury and durability into one cohesive design. The dial is given a lacquered “Grigio-Blu” colour which is essentially a sporty light blue that’s complemented with a satin-brushed finish.

The large Arabic numerals ensure clear legibility, especially since they are coated with Super-Luminova. Featuring three sub dials at 3, 6 and 9 o’clock, they all relate to a 30 minute counter, a 12 hour counter and small seconds, ensuring time elapsed can be accurately measured.

Given a gold bezel, crown and pushers, they stand out clearly against the steel case. The gold hands are a delightful addition to keep the luxury vibe continuous. The self winding movement is COSC certified and runs at 28,800VpH, a pretty good stat for the chronograph’s movement to work from!

We recommend getting on a yellow gold signet ring to add to the precious metal allure. Wear a brown suit to really make the brown calfskin strap look seamless across your attire.

The precious metal design and its heritage stemming back 35 years for the Miglia Classic allows this to be a heritage piece, fit for investment purposes.

IWC Portofino

The IWC Portofino was originally released in 1984 to a slew of devout fans.

Crystal	Sapphire
Case Size	42mm
Water Resistance	30 metres
Calibre	Movement: 79320 Calibre
Price	You can buy an IWC Portofino Chronograph at retail for £15,900 as of February 2024

IWC Portofino, Source - IWC

The Portofino collection takes its inspiration from the 1960s with its quirky sporty pushers and stunning chronograph displays. Crafted entirely out of 18K 5N gold, the case is circular in design, adhering to the classic dress watches allure and design.

A smattering of the Rolex 1908 going on here we feel. It’s rather bulky at 42mm, but then again, these are sports watches at heart! Ingenieur watches? Maybe not, but it’s still a whopping piece to consider!

The IWC watches in general look fantastic, but this dial is sublime. Silver plated and featuring a convex sapphire crystal with 5N gold numerals, clarity is promoted against the creamy white dial face. The caseback is similarly striking, as it features an engraving of the Portofino harbour in all its elegant glory.

Get on board with its three sub dials at 12, 6 and 9 o’clock, correlating to chronograph functions as well as the stunning central hour, minutes and seconds hands, in a similarly elegant gold sheen. Powered by the 79328 calibre, the movement runs at 28,800 VpH and has a respectable yet uninspiring 44 hour power reserve.

We recommend keeping this flexed with a pair of black chinos and white suit shirt to let the opaline dial shine. Its precious metal construction and beautiful dress slash sports watches for men design are something that’s exceptionally popular with devoted enthusiasts.

Panerai Luminor Chrono PAM01109

Crystal	Sapphire
Case Size	44mm
Water Resistance	100 metres
Calibre	Movement: P.9200 calibre
Price	You can buy a Panerai Luminor Chrono at retail for £8,700 as of February 2024

It’s about time we heard from Panerai. Where have you been my trusty flex friend? Now these watches are famed for their bulbous case and highly accurate, long lasting movements.

Panerai Luminor, Source - Panerai

In this instance, Panerai are downsizing their watches! Truth be told, it’s still rather oversized at 44mm. However, it features chronograph pushers on the unconventional left side of the case.

Wondering why? Take a look at the very bulky, statement piece crown guard on the right hand side of the case. Stretching across from 2 to 4 o’clock, it’s a behemoth which isn’t for the faint hearted.

Legibility is the aim of the game for watches of this nature. As such, the dial on this Panerai is fitted with a very prominent baton and Arabic numerals that’s been given a generous dose of Luminova.

As a bi-compax dial, there is a lot of space left over for the chronograph subdials at 3 and 9 o’clock. The dial is matte black, pertaining to the utility nature of the piece, allowing the white hands and indices to be extremely visible.

A closer inspection would reveal the subdials are slightly shrunk in, boosting visibility and creating a nice aesthetic display.

Powered by the Calibre P.9200, the watches movement is capable of running at 28,800VpH and has a power reserve of 42 hours. It's big, bulky and a beauty on the wrist! We firmly recommend you wearing this with shorter sleeves as it’s far too big to hide under cuffs.

Its iconic crown guard case design and beautiful matte black dial boasts a possible opportunity for you investment minded horologists. It might be about time to reach for that American Express and this best chronograph to your luxury regalia.

Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch 310.30.42.50.01.001

Crystal	Hesalite
Case Size	42mm
Water Resistance	50 metres
Calibre	Movement: Omega 3861 Calibre
Price	You can buy an Omega Speedmaster at retail for £6,600 as of February 2024

If I hear that “Spaceman” song any more from Eurovision, I think I might cry…

Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch, Source - Omega

The Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch was introduced in 1957, and brought with it the accomplishment of being the first piece on the moon by Buzz Lightyear himself, Buzz Aldrin. Did you know that at 93 he’s still setting horological trends as he was spotted recently wearing three watches at one.

Wait till you see the internet meltdown later after we just blurted out triple-wrister! For now, check out our delectable double-wristing feature here and discover what is so unique about this tremendous timekeeping trend.

Try saying that ten times after a few out of office hour cocktails.

Ever since its release, the trusted Speedy has received many updates and the vintage pieces have sold for vast sums such as The Speedmater CK2915-1 from 1957 that sold for around £300,000 at a Christies auction.

However, we are here to discuss the classic piece with no frills! Mind you, it is still pricier than a Ryanair flight to Alicante.

Crafted out of stainless steel, the model has been part of all six moon landings. Featuring a hesalite glass intrinsically linked with Omega, the piece is refined in its steel design. Given a solid caseback with a Seahorse emblem, the model is an ode to Omega through and through.

The dial is pitch black, with white baton indices and hands covered in lume, clearly showing the time. Meanwhile, the subdials are hollowed in on the indices and brought back to the surface on the centre of the hand. These small alterations are what makes the Speedmaster so great!

As you know when you buy a watch or sell a watch through Chrono Hunter it’s about the finer details from our peerless service and multiple offers to our trusted network of luxury retailers.

Relating to a small seconds sub dial, a 30 minute recorder and a 12 hour recorder, these Speedmaster timepieces very clearly tell the elapsed time in great depth. Oh yes, keep an eye out for the iconic anodized dot on the aluminium bezel ring!

Powered by the COSC and METAS certified movement, the calibre 3861, the Speedy is raring to go for all your horological desires. This is not a piece to hide away trusted timelords. Wear a short sleeve polo shirt for casual Friday to really enhance your flex.

Its astonishing heritage and consistent appeal due to its timeless design means this is without a shadow of a doubt one of the best chronographs that every serious enthusiast should have in their horological arsenal.

IWC Portugieser Year Of The Dragon 2024 - IW371629

Crystal	Sapphire
Case Size	41mm
Water Resistance	30 metres
Calibre	Movement: 69355
Price	You can buy an IWC for £8,450 as of February 2024

If you want a high flying business, then it’s advisable to stay out of the black and in the red. And we tend to agree with our next offering in the best chronograph watches category.

Source: IWC

Considered one of the dons of the Schaffenhausen lineup, 2024 has been taken up a notch thanks to the new Portugieser chronograph. Dressed in an emblematic burgundy dial, this limited edition IWC watch takes its cues from the Chinese New Year.

Symbolising strength, prosperity and power, there are gold plate hands, stainless steel case and a robust chronograph movement with a column wheel aesthetic.

With a case diameter of 41mm x 13mm thick, there is a beautiful sapphire case back giving you the clearest of views into the movement and winding system that has a sublime dragon etched in for good measure.

Beating away at 4Hz (28,8000Vph) it may not quite be weekend-proof due to its 46 hour power reserve. Yet with its limited edition run of 1000 watches, this may be a possible investment piece that we have our eye on for the coming year.

Dressy enough to make an impression in the office with additional comfort resonating from the butterfly style clasp, piston pushers and super slim bezel, we can forgive its lack of water resistance at just 30 metres.

The red and gold signature Chinese hues play on all the elements that are inextricably linked to joy and passion while its design cues taken from its 1995 predecessor ensures maximum respect is paid. From applied Arabic numerals, leaf shaped hour and minute hands as well as dots lying below the minute track, look out for the 1/4 second scale based on the flange, delivering first rate precision and visibility.

Watch out Jackie Chan. There’s a new crafty chronograph in town…

Longines Conquest Chronograph Marco Odermatt Limited Edition

Crystal	Sapphire
Case Size	41mm
Water Resistance	100 metres
Calibre	Movement: L898.5
Price	You can buy a Longines Conquest Chronograph Marco Odermatt for £3,950 as of February 2024

The Conquest collection is considered to be right up there in terms of their best chronograph watches. A huge part of Longines lineup and introduced in 1954, the line was originally produced as a waterproof piece for the French and their polar ventures. We’re getting chills just thinking about it!

Source - Longines

In this case, the collection is made in collaboration with Macco Odermatt, a Longines ambassador who is a very well known figure in the Alpine skiing world as a representative of Switzerland. Is he successful? You bet. He’s a World Champ and gold medal winner for both the downhill and slalom events in 2023.

Sized at 42mm, this steel timepiece is fitted with a tachymetric scale bezel. After all, if you are hitting the same speeds as Odermatt, you want as much time reading capability as possible! Given a blue ceramic insert, the bezel sits on top of a crown protected by two guards, allowing for 100 metres of water resistance.

Fitted with a blue sunray dial, the silvery sub-dials at 3, 6 and 9 o’clock stand out, alongside baton hour markers and tapered hands that are silver and filled with lume. If you look closely, you’ll see that the sub-dials actually have a snailed effect on the periphery of them, as opposed to covering the entire counter.

They offer small seconds, a 12 hour counter and a 30 minute register based at 3, 6 and 9 o’clock respectively. Fitted onto a blue fabric strap with red and white stitching in line with Odermatt’s national colour schemes, pair this with a navy suit or an off blue shirt to accentuate your flex appeal.

If you have the confidence, a skier's lycra outfit may be a solid option!

Omega Speedmaster Dark Side of the Moon Apollo 8

Crystal	Box-shaped sapphire crystal
Case Size	44.25mm
Water Resistance	50 metres
Calibre	Movement: 3869 (base 3861)
Price	You can buy an Omega Speedmaster Dark Side Of The Moon Apollo 8 for Conquest £13,500 as of February 2024

The Killers may have sung about Mr. Brightside. But step into the shadows for a minute and we’ll lead to you a chronograph watch brimming with collectability.

The Speedmaster is an integral part of Omega’s lineup. As the first watch to land on the moon in 1969, Omega have continued to develop the line based on this lunar experience. In this case, stepping onto our best chronographs list is the Omega Speedmaster Dark Side Of The Moon Apollo 8.

In celebration of the 1968 Apollo 8 journey which allowed the astronauts to see the other side of the moon, this watch just beat the moon landing by one year!

Source - Omega

Sized at 44.25mm, the black ceramic timepieces follow the exact design codes of the classic Speedmaster. The tachymetric scale remains, maintaining the iconic styling many are so fond of.

The dial is given a lunar texture which is attained through a laser ablating process. This allows the craters and lunar elements to be pronounced and boast the history behind the piece.

The dial features a seconds track that wraps around the periphery of the face, alongside lume filled baton hour markers and black hands. There are jolts of colour which are present in the yellow seconds hand and on the edges of the hour markers.

Fitted with three chronograph sub-dials, you may have noticed the 9 o’clock sundial features a special hand. This is the Saturn V rocket that's made from titanium and is given a 3D shape. So, what makes these hands actually move?

The watches are powered by the Master Chronometer certified by the 3869 calibre. Offering a weekend-proof 50 hour power reserve, we recommend you take a look at the caseback to see the blackened movement in action. Forget the Rolex Batman…this dial is darker than the Dark Knight himself.

Built atop a perforated black rubber strap with yellow elements, the watches would look sharp against a black suit.

Zenith Defy Extreme Mirror

Crystal	Box-shaped sapphire crystal
Case Size	45mm
Water Resistance	200 metres
Calibre	Movement: El Primero 9004
Price	You can buy a Zenith Defy Extreme Mirror at retail for £23,100 as of February 2024

Some gents like their shoes polished until they can see their face in it. Others like to carry around a small hand mirror portraying the ultimate in narcissism. What if we said you could own a watch that offered you excellent timekeeping and a quick-to-access mirror?

Source - Zenith

Measuring 45mm, the Zenith Defy Extreme Mirror follows through with both criteria! Given a thickness of around 15.4mm, we wouldn’t even try and fit this under suit shirt cuffs.

However, this is a loud and proud piece you should flaunt with joy. And you can determine your surroundings or look pretty from every faceted angle on one of the best luxury chronograph watches from the brand.

Crafted out of steel, the dynamics are very “Zenith”. We are talking 12-sided octagonal bezels, bulky pushers and a prominent crown that sits between them. The mirror-polished aesthetic is featured throughout the entire piece, including the tops of the watch and the bracelet.

The skeletonised dial may appear intimidating…but it's rather simple to figure out. Featuring small baton hour markers that are dosed with lume, the dial is made up of a chronograph. More like a triple threat!

The dial features small seconds at 9 o’clock, 30-minute counters at 3 o’clock and a 60-second counter residing at 6 o’clock.

These Zenith watches are powered by the sublime El Primero 9004. This in-house movement offers a 50 hour power reserve and a brilliant 36,000VpH. Oh yes, how can we forget the legendary chronograph beat of 360,000 VpH that allows for 1/100th of a second measurements. And that’s precisely what every mad watch collector needs in their luxury regalia.

Fitted onto a steel strap, you don’t have to be the invisible man to wear this piece. A burgundy suit or a simple white T-shirt would be a perfect companion for this best chronograph.

TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph Tourbillon

Crystal	Curved, glassbox style sapphire crystal
Case Size	42mm
Water Resistance	100 metres
Calibre	Movement: TH20-09
Price	You can buy a TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph Tourbillon at retail for £20,950 as of February 2024

In 2023, TAG Heuer took to releasing the fantastic 60th anniversary Carrera Chronograph with the traditional Glassbox sapphire crystal. Having gauged the incredible response behind the timepiece, TAG Heuer have done us the favour of releasing a fresh play on the line.

Source - TAG Heuer

With a case diameter of 42mm, the steel watches still retain their durable construction. Given a 14.33mm thickness and a 100 metre water resistance, the TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph Tourbillon combines a polished top with brushed case sides.

The Glassbox design effect keeps its iconic curvature that enhances the flange and its minute track.

The dial is a stunning teal green that's given a gentle circular brushed aesthetic to boast the subdials, silvered hour markers and hands. Oh yes, all of which are dosed with lume for maximum legibility.

The subdials relate to a 12 hour counter at 9 o’clock, a 30-minute counter at 3 o’clock and a fantastic skeletonised tourbillon at 6 o’clock.

The watches are powered by the great TH20-09 calibre. Supported with a column wheel and fitted with a tourbillon to promote precision against knocks, the COSC certified Carerra has 28,800VpH and a 65 hour power reserve.

Locked onto a black alligator leather strap, we can see you pulling this best chronograph with a charcoal grey suit or equally suave teal polo shirt.

Conclusion

These are but a taster of the best chronograph watches that are highly coveted among enthusiasts and collectors. Be it for their timeless appeal, lineage or funky time measuring elements, we are very much in the presence of horological greatness when two stepping with a complication of this nature.

With such variety in terms of aviation chronographs like the Longines Avigation BigEye to the rock’n’roll racing spirit of The TAG Heuer Monaco Skeleton, us Time Lords are utterly spoiled for choice!

From high speed calibre’s like Zenith to the suave case designs by Chopard, chronograph watches have us foaming at the mouth baying for more timekeeping greatness.

In case, some of these still don’t take your fancy, why not indulge yourself in a couple of our other best chronograph watches for men below:

Model Name	Reference	Secondary Market Pricing
Zenith Chronomaster Sport	03.3100.3600/69.M3100	Around £6,000 at the time of writing.
Tudor Black Bay	79360N	Around £4,000 at the time of writing
Jaeger LeCoultre Polaris	Q9028180	Around £8,500 at the time of writing.
Vacheron Constantin Overseas Chronograph Panda	5500V/110A-B148	Around £35,000 at the time of writing.
Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Rubens Barrichello II	26078RO.OO.DOO2CR.01	Around £55,000 at the time of writing.

We hope we’ve covered all there is to be covered, showcasing the best chronograph watches that you can possibly peruse. Surely there’s one with your name on it within this definitive list.

It’s high time to get your office flex up to scratch with your nemesis! Chronograph watches for men aren't going anywhere, anytime soon. Depending on your price points, you may want to get your hands on a moon chasing Speedmaster or go all out with the brand new TAG Heuer Skipper.

No matter your choice, these are without doubt some of the best chronograph watches to make an impact in the office. Things don’t have to be so complicated…why not treat yourself to a beautiful chronograph through the best horological platform around?

Can't wait to buy a Rolex Daytona? Want to purchase one of these best chronographs to gain extra wrist worthiness? Save some time and chat with Chrono Hunter here. Check out our phenomenal reviews on Trustpilot and find out why we are the go-to place to buy a watch or sell a watch.

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