
Then, in early 1844, a man by the name of Adolphe Nicole created an improved version of Rieussec’s constantly moving chronograph which used a reset feature to allow successive measurements. No longer were races won simply by breaking through the tape faster, for now, thanks to the chronograph, races of all types could be timed and records continually challenged and beat. The result would change the world of sports forever and be utilized in a variety of capacities the world over. Thereafter he was known throughout France as the “Watchmaker to the King.” Rieussec was asked to develop the complication so the King could time horse races, a favorite pastime of his.


The chronograph literally translated means “Time Writer” - a union of the Greek word “chronos” meaning time and “graph” meaning writing.
CHRONOGRAPH SERIES
These registers count elapsed seconds, minutes and hours when the pusher is activated.Īs we continue our series on horology, we’ve created this guide to help you better understand the chronograph and discuss some of its historical milestones and capabilities.

The recorded time is read off sub-registers (or recorders) found on the dial of the watch. While some watches can only record up to thirty minutes at a time, others can go as long as 12-hours. Commonly using anywhere between one and three buttons, these “pushers” start, stop and reset the chronograph function without interfering with the watch. The Chronograph, in layman’s terms, is just a fancy word for a stopwatch or timer. The chronograph is not to be confused with a Chronometer, which when labeled on Swiss-made watch indicates that it is COSC-certified and has been tested and certified to meet very precise and specific standards. Don’t confuse a Chronograph with a Chronometer here is a Glashutte Original Senator Chronometer Regulator
