Chronographs: Function or Style?

[Thwizzit]

I see that a lot of people like Chronographs and I was curious as to whether most people enjoy chronograph watches because they like the way they look or if they actually use the functions on a daily basis?

[Tom Barry]

I have three chronographs, but I use only two of them (because they're on bracelets) when I'm timing a new route on our (Lab Daphne and me) five-day-a-week, 4-mile morning power walk. The mechanical one I bought because I got it new at the price of the Valjoux 7750 movement alone - and used the chronograph feature once to make sure it worked correctly. I have a feeling the majority, like my wife, buy them for the looks, not to actually use the stop-watch function. Same with divers, but less so, I imagine. I have one diver, a Rolex no-date Submariner, which I used for many years in diving (off a board, not deep-sea) and swimming. Nowadays, it usually stays dry except for brief dips in the pool - but it's still my favorite watch, a timeless design.

[ozark]

Both. I like the looks and I use the function. I am always timing things. Trip to store. Time spent at red light in busy intersection. Cooking noodles. Timeout for the children. Many, many uses of a chronograph. I do admit though, maybe I go over-board on timing things.

[save_alkaline]

style. i like to think i could use the function more, but realistically, i don't. :(

[BlueDevil]

I also have quartz and mechanical chronos-- I think the quartz were bought for style and sports/water use more than timing, though the auto is a real looker too! Ironically I use the 7750 for timing my daughter's track meets, etc. quite a lot, much more than the more-accurate quartz.

[pz93c]

I'd say 95% of chronograph sales go to people who think they look cool.

Why else would they make watches with day/date subdials that look so chronographish? They end up being too small to read.

I would never use one, so I don't own one.

[Jittery Jim]

Both. I like the looks and I use the function. I am always timing things. Trip to store. Time spent at red light in busy intersection. Cooking noodles. Timeout for the children. Many, many uses of a chronograph. I do admit though, maybe I go over-board on timing things.

Sounds like me. I love the function, for some reason, and will time this that and the other.

Out in the real world, though (those that are non-WIS) I suspect most people buy and have no use for the chronograph, nor any use what it is, and buy based on looks. A friend of mine had a nice Hamilton quartz chronograph a few years ago and knew not how to use the chronograph. It was stopped at some funky time and he admitted he never used it.

[Thwizzit]

I think they look cool and gadgety with all the dials and buttons but I'd never own one because I don't like all the clutter on the watch face. I want to be able to glance at my watch and know in an instant the time. I tried wearing one once for a couple of days and I found I had to keep looking at the watch to decipher the time.

As far as function, I have a TAG 2000 series from the early 90's and I'm always using the bezel to time things like how much time left I have on the parking meter or when I need to go throw the clothes in the dryer. I don't often have the need for a stop watch so my second hand suffices.

[jas32]

Coolness factor mainly. Just love the look of a chronograph.

I'm also awed by the complexity of an automatic chronograph complication. An automatic movement is amazing enough by itself, add a stop watch function on top of it and make it accurate to within COSC stds is just mindboggling.

Quartz chronographs adds another dimension to time keeping typically with lap time function, etc. I used to have an analog Seiko Quartz Chronograph with all these plus a countdown timer and alarm. Can't seem to find watches with all these functions any longer.

[Art]

Both for me.