The difference between a chronometer and a watch. Chronograph in watches: is such a function necessary? The chronograph is a useful and sought-after instrument.

Throughout long history watchmakers tirelessly improved the mechanisms of their products, trying to make them more accurate and endow them with additional features. One of these functions is chronograph. This concept is often confused with a chronometer due to similar names, but their meanings are completely different. Let's try to figure out what a chronograph and a chronometer are in wrist watch.

What is a chronograph in a watch

A chronograph in watches is (ancient Greek chronos “time” + grapho “I write”) a mechanism that allows you to measure short periods of time, like a stopwatch. However, unlike a stopwatch, a modern chronograph is an addition to the main function of the watch, without affecting the operation of the mechanism as a whole. The first chronographs were separate devices capable of recording readings by making ink dots with needles. This is where the second part of the name comes from, somewhat confusing when it comes to wristwatches with a chronograph.

How to use a chronograph in a wristwatch

The chronograph mechanism is controlled by pressing buttons - they allow you to start the countdown, stop it and reset the results. Single pusher chronographs are now being superseded by more complex versions, such as the split chronograph with two hands. It allows you to watch two events with different duration and start time. Three buttons are usually involved in the control, which allows you to stop one of the arrows. Flyback chronographs allow you to reset and start a new countdown at the touch of a button.

The chronograph is most useful for people associated with sports, but it can also be useful for representatives of other fields of activity, such as science, navigation and military affairs. For example, a tachymeter scale can be used both to measure the running speed of an athlete, and to measure the pressure or pulse of a patient.

How to use a chronometer in a wristwatch

A chronometer is a highly precise watch certified by the Swiss Chronometry Institute COSC (Contrôle Officiel Suisse des Chronomètres). There, the mechanism of each watch is individually tested and, upon successful completion, receives a certificate. Such a check is an expensive procedure, therefore certified swiss watches chronometers usually significantly more expensive than their "unverified" counterparts. Currently only 3% swiss watches chronometers boast COSC certification.

Chronometers can be not only mechanical, but also quartz, but do not forget that the quartz crystal is subject to aging and gradually becomes less accurate. If you want a chronometer to serve for many years, you should think about mechanical version. In the end, such a wrist watch with a chronometer can be passed on to posterity, who will certainly appreciate such a gesture.

Many people try to understand what are the main differences between watches and chronographs. In order to discover the existing differences, it is best to compare chronographs with accurate mechanical watches called a chronometer. Even in this situation, there are indeed many differences to consider.

Chronograph and watch: important differences

1. Functionality. Watches are required to measure time and control it. A chronograph is a device that measures certain periods of time with an accuracy of every fraction of a second, so it can be perceived as a high-end stopwatch.
2. The chronograph is a device that has a brutal spirit, because it used to be actively used in aviation and navigation. A watch will never have such a history and spirit, so it is impossible to stand out with such an accessory.
3. Watches were invented before the chronograph. At the same time, the year of creation of the chronograph is 1821. The Parisian watchmaker Nicholas Mathew Rjessek had special love to horse racing, so he decided to create a high-precision stopwatch. Fortunately, he coped with the task by 100%, delighting many representatives of society with a unique invention.
4. The design has significant differences. It is assumed that any classic watch will only have one dial. Most chronographs have three dials. In addition, chronographs have special buttons on the case.
5. The process of using each device has unique facets. At the same time, watches are always easier to use, because even classic medals have only one mechanical winding wheel. The control of the chronometer turns out to be specific, since you need to know each purpose in order for the device to be able to please with a long service life.
6. Prices for each direction of goods also surprise with a spread. Nice watch are always cheaper than a chronograph. This is due to the following fact: the status of a watch cannot be prestigious.

The level of functionality of any device must be taken into account. Focusing on the chronograph, it can be noted that this device has increased functionality compared to any watch. This is also a significant difference between the two types of products. What goals can a chronograph meet?

• Among the most common offers is a chronometer with a tachymeter scale. Similar models can determine the speed of a car, train.
• The chronograph-telemeter allows you to determine the distance to any object, including before a thunder or lightning strike.
• A special scale is also common, which allows you to measure the pulse of people. This feature contributes to the popularity of chronographs among athletes.
• Additional functionality is manifested in the ability to control the tide schedule in a certain area.
• There is an opportunity to carry out various mathematical operations using a logarithmic scale.
• The device allows you to monitor the duration of telephone conversations, parking, sports match.

Moreover, the above functions are just a part of the tasks that chronographs successfully cope with.

It is not surprising that the design of the manufactured products turns out to be truly complex and elaborate. A watch with a chronograph should have twice as many mechanical elements as a regular watch. In this regard, it is assumed the use of glass chronograph cases, which allow you to closely monitor the numerous wheels and gears. Such mechanical processes can fascinate and surprise not only those who love technology and engineering inventions, but also many other people.

Features of chronographs in watches

By carefully studying the best and most reliable watches in the world, you can understand what are the features of chronographs from ordinary stopwatches.

Stopwatch is a classic device for controlling fractions of a second and a minute. Advantages include simplicity and reliability. Despite this, the chronograph is a special watch movement that deserves active use due to its high level of functionality.

The best watch models suggest the possibility of using special devices. At the same time, it should be noted that chronographs are simple and summing. What differences can be noted?

1. A simple chronograph is controlled by only one button responsible for starting, fixing and resetting the result.
2. The totalizing chronograph involves the use of a complex design that can be controlled by two pushers. One key allows you to start and fix the stopwatch repeatedly, the other allows you to reset the results and start a new measurement if necessary.

Choosing watches with chronographs, it becomes possible to control the time intervals of two events at once. Such models are a breakthrough in the modern engineering industry.

Chronographs in watches are actively used by athletes, fans of mechanical watches, professionals who must regularly use high-precision stopwatches to perform their work duties.

Chronograph in watches - what is it? Together we will find the answer to this question and first turn to history.

Time jump

The competition of equestrians became the reason for the invention of the chronograph. Of the watch complications, he was one of the last to be born, in 1821. Tried Nikolos Mathieu. it french master. His invention in a pocket watch was approved by Louis 18th himself. The king, like Mathieu, passionately loved horse racing and complained that there was no way to determine exactly who came to the start first. The problem has been removed, and the word "chronograph" remains a mystery to many. There is a similar concept of "chronometer" on hearing. It, as they say, knocks down pantalik. Let's understand the essence of the terms. Let's start with the chronograph.

Chronograph - what is it?

The words chronometer and chronograph are united by involvement in the word "chronos", that is, "time". Otherwise, things are different. A chronograph is essentially a stopwatch. The device records time intervals. In the first models, a container with ink was built into the watch, which could be added. There was a container at the tip of the second hand. When the notch button was pressed, a drop fell on the glass of the dial next to the time marks. That is why in the concept of a chronograph, the root is supplemented by the Greek grapho, that is, “to write”. The mechanism records the time.

The chronograph is included, both in, and in women's. Quartz models are also equipped with a stopwatch. However, electronic variant chronograph is just a program that displays data on the screen. This makes the stopwatch cheaper. At the same time, electronics provides greater accuracy. The chronograph is mechanical watch- mechanism. The "Stop-reset" and "Reset" keys launch a complex structure. It makes the caliber heavier, takes up space. Therefore, making an attractive and miniature chronograph mechanism is an art that requires a substantial surcharge. Fly-back watches are especially prestigious. The function was created for the convenience of the pilots, it allowed to reset the data with a single keystroke. In high esteem and "Split". This type of chronograph is equipped with a 2 second hand. The mechanism discards the problem of measuring a pair of events that started at the same time.

The difference between a chronograph and a chronometer

Chronometers are called watches with minimal failures in readings. The title is awarded by the Swiss Institute of Chronometry, giving a corresponding certificate for products. The clock has a built-in unit that levels the effect of gravity and other factors that "loosen" the mechanism. Therefore, the stopwatch in chronometer watches is more accurate than the chronograph in ordinary accessories. At important starts, time is recorded exclusively by stopwatches of watches approved by the Institute of Chronometry. However, 2 complications in one case - the work is doubly precious and expensive.

Wristwatch is an important and desired accessory, which helps to complete the image of a man and emphasize his status and position in society. A modern wrist watch is not just a device for measuring time, but also a multifunctional device that can be very useful. After all, such accessories can have a calendar, chronograph, alarm clock and many other useful functions. And if an alarm clock with a calendar does not raise questions about their use, then they appear with a chronograph.

What is a chronograph?

You need to start with the fact that in a wristwatch, a chronograph is a kind of counter that allows you to very accurately measure small periods of time: minutes, seconds, hours. Its name comes from a combination of two words, translated from Greek meaning "record time". And due to the fact that the counter is not connected with the mechanism of the watch itself, with its help the measurements will be very accurate and of high quality.

What is a chronograph in watches?

The chronograph on the watch is turned on with the help of a button located on the case. At the same time, the operation of the chronograph does not interfere with the operation of the main dial. How to use the chronograph on the watch? Very simple - control is carried out using the buttons built into the case. This undoubted advantage is also complemented by the fact that the power button can be multifunctional, it can switch the working dial, complete measurements, reset the values ​​of the current measurement, reset them. It is also possible to use the chronograph as a stopwatch by pressing the buttons. It is also possible not only to measure and measure individual periods of time, but also to record them and store data. We hope you now understand what a chronograph is in a watch and how important it is!

Features and Benefits

Modern chronograph watches not only allow you to measure certain periods of time, but can also do this for several processes at the same time. So there can be chronographs that are equipped with one, two or even three control buttons and the possibility of parallel measurement of several different periods of time. This explains how to use the chronograph on the watch.
But this is not the limit of the capabilities of a modern chronograph - not only can they calculate the length of different segments, they can also summarize these measurements among themselves. The length of the segments that can be measured by such a mechanism also grows - from several minutes, at the dawn of the appearance of chronographs, to 12 hours in modern models. Wristwatches equipped with a chronograph bring a touch of elegance to the image of their owner.

Who needs a chronograph?

Who needs a chronograph in a watch? This function is most popular among people involved in sports and fans. various kinds active rest. All of them need to constantly monitor certain periods of time, which allows you to make a high-quality chronograph. Also, chronographs are constantly “hunted” by the military, who understand what a chronograph is in watches and all its importance.

What is this function for?

What is a chronograph for? It is useful for those who need to control the time spent on work or need a stopwatch. After all, if you need to calculate how much time passes between any operations or under some conditions, then there is simply no more necessary function than a chronograph.

What are the disadvantages of a chronograph?

Its main disadvantage can be called its complex design, which leads to an increase in the size of watches. Watches with a chronograph are much larger and heavier in weight than their brothers without additional features and such useful accessories. It also leads to an increase in the final cost of the model. That is why it is necessary to think right away whether the chronograph function will be used and whether it is really necessary. In fact, the chronograph is rarely used for its intended purpose. The very presence of a chronograph in watches is more often considered, which emphasizes the position and status of its owner.

Unfortunately, another disadvantage of the chronograph is its expensive repair. The chronograph works almost forever, but it will not be easy to repair a broken mechanism by picking up a broken part to replace it. So, in a disassembled state, this is a lot of springs and buttons that are interconnected through wheels and gears. Only a master can figure out this chaos, but by putting all the details together, a watch with a chronograph will again work like new!

Source - vodabereg.ru

A wristwatch is an important and necessary accessory that helps to give a “zest” to the image, emphasize the status of a person and position in society. A modern wrist watch is not just a device for measuring time, but also a multifunctional device that can be very useful. After all, such accessories can have a calendar, chronograph, alarm clock and many other useful functions. And if an alarm clock with a calendar does not raise questions about their use, then they appear with a chronograph.

What is the function of a chronograph?

First of all, it must be said that the chronograph is an independent measuring system that has no connection with the general watch movement. This to some extent complicates the design, but at the same time allows you to get the highest quality and accurate measurements. In fact, a chronograph is a counter that registers certain periods of time. With this device you can register seconds, hours and minutes. For example, it is often used to measure the time of a run or bicycle rides, business meetings, and even the much-touted "meal deliveries to the exact second." In addition, chronographs are used by doctors to measure the heartbeat, housewives - when cooking, the military in the calculations.

How to use the chronograph?

The chronograph is turned on and off using separate buttons on the case. Note that some models have a multifunctional chronograph activation button, which can be pressed multiple times to stop the recording of the time interval. One of the advantages of using a chronograph over a conventional stopwatch is that there is no need to change the dial. That is, the work of the clock itself is not disturbed, which continues to show the exact time.

The use of a chronograph on most watch models is standard and does not present any difficulty. Therefore, you can quickly learn how to use the chronograph on your watch. On single-button models, the first press starts the chronograph, and when you need to complete distance measurements, you need to press the corresponding button again. If you need to return the arrow to its original position, press the button a third time.
Chronographs with two control buttons are very popular today. The first button starts the measurement of the segment, then the second one stops this process. AT this case you get the opportunity to continue the measurement without returning the arrow to its original position. This is necessary when defining any specific action cycles.

Wrist watch high level can be equipped with a chronograph with three pushers. This is the so-called split system. With this split chronograph, you can register several events at the same time that started at the same time. You can start and stop segment measurement independently of each other.
Modern complex chronographs allow not only to take measurements of several segments at once, which began at the same time and at the same time end in different time, but also have the function of summing such calculated segments. There are also special varieties of chronographs that allow you to measure periods of time up to 12 hours.

Currently, in specialized stores you can pick up watches that are equipped with a high-quality and accurate chronograph. All this will allow you to maximum efficiency use your wrist watch.

By their design, chronographs are modular (when the stopwatch module is superimposed on top of a conventional base movement and connected to it) and integrated (when it is initially understood that the caliber will be equipped with a stopwatch). The latter, of course, are much more reliable and cooler.

A bit of history

In 1910, Gaston Breitling introduced the world to the first wrist chronograph, the progenitor of modern specimens. And it was intended for pilots, aviation that was emerging at that time. It is worth noting that the aviation theme has stuck to this day with the famous Swiss brand Breitling. But in this chronograph there was one small inconvenience, there was only one button (sometimes combined with the crown), which performed all 3 functions (start, stop, reset), in 1934 Breitling eventually corrected this nuance. Another interesting fact that self-winding chronographs were only introduced almost 50 years later, in 1969. Most likely, this is due to the fact that it was very difficult to place all the nodes at the same time in the limited space of the case.

AT modern world, the chronograph has a slightly different position from its original position, now its presence is more an aesthetic addition to a wrist watch than a demanded function. Its analog indicators add some "complexity" to any watch, look organic in the overall concept of the dial.

It is a mistake to believe that the chronograph looks organic only on a sports watch or makes the watch device too massive. There are very exquisite options, which look very elegant and are perfect for business and even evening look. These include, for example, watches