A chronograph watch operates like the common stopwatch. It was first introduced as a wristwatch almost one hundred years ago (way back in 1910). This type of watch took off immediately, and proved to be very popular. In 1990, the famous watch making company Swatch helped to create a public frenzy for chronograph watches. The chronograph was invented by a Frenchman, called Rieussec, in 1821. So it actually took eighty-nine years before someone thought of making it into a wristwatch.

However, the chronograph watch should be more accurately called a chronoscope nowadays, as there is no real writing involved anymore as the word chronograph derives from the Greek words chronos which means time, and graph which means writing.

How it works
Besides general timekeeping on the main dial, they also have subsidiary dials which have a variety of scales on them, meaning they can be used for very specific time measurements. The number of dials on a chronograph watch varies depending on the design. There can be up to four dials, each one designed for a slightly different function.

However, it is very common for one of the dials to be situated on the number nine of the main watch face, showing continuous seconds. A chronograph watch is activated as a stopwatch when a button is depressed on the side. One of the miniature dials (normally the one near the number nine) will start to record the seconds gone by.

Purpose & Why Swiss?
Towards the beginning of the century, many Swiss chronograph watches were used by the military and sports people. This was because swiss watches were renowned for their accurate timekeeping and durability and they still are.

In fact, they are still used in the modern day for this purpose, but many of the mechanical watches have been replaced by quartz versions as they can measure time down to hundredths of a second.

In addition to this, the Swiss have actually combined the mechanical and quartz technologies in some of their watches. This gives the watch buyer the best of both worlds an authentic looking mechanical watch, which has the ease of use of an electronic watch.

Buying Chronograph?
Today, the wearing of a chronograph watch is more of a fashion statement than a professional practicality. The appeal of the Swiss mechanical watch seems to be its exciting, sporting image. It is desirable to the general public because it is the watch of Formula One drivers, astronauts, and sports stars.

Generally, chronograph watches are quite expensive and valuable. They usually cost more than a normal or automatic watch, due to the excellent craftsmanship and the complexity required in their manufacture. For a more complete recommendation of swiss chronograph watches, be sure to visit Swiss-Watches-Guide.com.