7 affordable (sort of) chronographs you can buy today
A stopwatch on your wrist
A chronograph is essentially a stopwatch on your wrist. Chronograph functions and features have often been associated with the world of racing, and rightly so. One of the most famous and easily recognizable chronographs of all time is the Rolex Daytona, especially the so-called "panda dial" version, found in the most expensive watch ever sold at auction, the "Paul Newman" Ref. 6241 Daytona.
It is relatively easy to find an affordable good-looking chronograph these days and as there's an ocean of options you can choose from, I thought I'd help you wade through that ocean with a list of of reasonably-priced chronographs you can buy today.
Luminox F-22 Raptor chronograph
Several brands like to talk about the sturdiness of their watches but only a few can actually match that with field credentials. Luminox is well known for creating military grade watches for armed forces across the globe, including the U.S. Marines, and the F-22 Raptor Chronograph certainly lives up to the brand's name.
It is powered by a high precision quartz movement and it features a self-powered illumination system, protected by a silver titanium 45 mm with scratch resistant sapphire crystal. The case, just like the glass, is shock and scratch resistant and also features a two-way dive bezel. Water resistance is 100 mt which, along with its robustness and indeed its chronograph capability, makes it an exceptional all-rounder.
TAG-Heuer Formula 1 chronograph
The Formula 1 is essentially the cheapest way into the TAG-Heuer world but that's absolutely not a bad thing because this is a great watch. The Formula 1 you see here (ref. CAZ1010.BA0842) is a stainless steel chronograph, with diving credentials thanks to the 200 mt water resistance, scratch resistant sapphire crystal and a screw down crown for added safety.
The 43 mm case houses a TAG quartz movement under a black dial, with matching black dive bezel with white markers and white on silver grey hands. This is a solid watch and a great proposition by TAG.
Omologato Monza Chronograph
Chronographs are often associated with the racing world and when it comes to racing-inspired watches, Omologato is your go-to brand because every single timepiece by Omologato is a tribute to a specific car or a specific track or racing even.
In this instance, we're talking about the Monza chronograph, powered by a Japanes quartz movement and featuring a square 42 mm case, incorporating a silver grey dial with chronograph sub dials at the 3 and the 9, and the Monza logo (used under license) at the 6.
Seiko Solar Powered Chronograph
When it comes to watches, Seiko is your go-to answer no matter the question. Whether you're looking for an automatic or a quartz, a diver or a dress watch, a digital or an analogue watch, Seiko usually has it. The same could be said for chronographs and also solar powered watches.
This is the Seiko ref. SSC719P1 and it is a chronograph, powered by a quartz movement, which is in turn powered by solar energy, meaning you won't have to worry about changing the battery. Water resistance is 100 mt, and the 44 mm stainless steel case is protected by scratch-resistant hardlex crystal. Hard to go with Seiko.
Citizen Eco Drive Chronograph
In 1976, Citizen introduced one of the most important technologies in the history of watch-making, the Eco-Drive system, which converts any source of light, including solar light, into usable energy that can be harnessed and stored in the watch. This automatically makes (nearly) every Citizen worth its price tag.
This is no exception. The Eco-Drive Chronograph (ref. CA0641-24E) features a 44 mm case encapsulating a clean and crisp black dial with white Arabic numerals and indexes, with luminous hands. All things considered, I'd say this might be the best watch on the list.
Casio Edifice Chronograph
As a general rule, you can't really go wrong with Casio and especially with the Edifice collection. This is the Edifice Chronograph, (ref. EFR-566PB-1AVUEF), which comes with both stopwatch and countdown functions and a rather striking dial and unidirectional bezel.
This is one of the best propositions available in terms of value for money because you get all the usual benefits of going Casio, with its durable battery, the sturdy 49 mm stainless case and its features, with a price tag well under £100. The only downside is it comes with a mineral crystal, not sapphire. Having said that, it is a Casio mineral crystal, which makes it way better than average.
Timex Expedition Chronograph
If, for any reason, you wanted to build an entire watch collection with Timex, you could easily do that with the three models: the Marlin, the Weekender and the Expedition. However, while the Marlin and the Weekender fall in (more or less) specific categories, the former is essentially a dress watch and the latter is a minimalist all-rounder, the Expedition watch covers all the bases.
The Expedition range includes sports watches, technical watches, aviator and diver watches and, par for the course, chronographs. In this instance, we're talking about the reference TW4B04300, which comes with a 42 mm brass case, with chronograph function up to 30 minutes and water resistance of 100 mt. The movement is a proprietary quartz and the timepiece also features the brand's flagship 'Indiglo' dial, incorporating an electro-luminescent panel as a backlight for the actual dial.
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Comments (33)
or, a G-Shock for $80.. :)
G-Shocks rule
that said, I learned that they're a bit overrated. The problem is: even a solar capacitor will fail and need a replacement. It is, after all, a battery.
So: G-Shocks have a screw-on back plate. Edit: no, it's not a screw-on plate (that would...
Read moreI do not but I sure like the Luminox. I can destroy ANYTHING. I think one of these might live up to me.
(True story: I am the reason Tonka trucks had to stop running their "Our trucks are indestructible" adds. My Mom sent a few, in pieces, back to them with letters explaining her 4yo destroyed them. Yeah, were you even alive when those ran?)
Luminox is a good brand, sort of underrated
I had bad luck with them.
How are these affordable? 😂 😭
lol. I'll fix the headline
Can’t afford one of these due to COVID and all 😭
You forgot to add Seagull, Dan Henry, Baltic, and Furlan Marri to the list!
I know Seagull, Dan Henry and Baltic but I didn't know Furlan Marri. Interesting design, albeit a bit conventional. I'll look into it
I think they have a great value for money. Scratches that Patek itch without being a Patek
I couldn’t agree more with you second choice! 🙂. Great little article, has given me some ideas (my wife won’t like that mind you!)
Thank you! And great watch, btw