Let’s be honest, how many times have you confused these terms? Believe me, you are the only one who encounters difficulties in differentiating chronographs from chronometers. Once you have stepped into the world of watches, it is welcome to know some basic terms. These will eventually help you better understand their construction and operation. Chronographs and chronometers are just 2 of the terms in the wide “horological dictionary”.
Even people who have some knowledge about watches sometimes find it difficult to spot the differences between these 2 terms. In many cases, watch lovers interchange them, without realizing that in fact, they are totally different from each other.
In this article, I will not talk much about replica watches, as I usually do. Instead, I will shed light on the differences between a chronograph and a chronometer. I hope that after this article, you will choose your replica watch with more knowledge, taking into account the aspects discovered here.
The specifics of Chronographs
Let’s start with the beginning, that is, with the simple definition of these terms. The chronograph per se is nothing else than a complication in a watch. It allows the measurement of certain time intervals with phenomenal accuracy. The distinctive feature of chronograph watches is the presence of sub-dials on the main dial. As a rule, they come in small circles located on the dial plate and include certain markings. The markers, in turn, show a certain amount of seconds, minutes, or hours that have passed. The term “chronograph” itself is an umbrella term, or a collective noun if you like. The term refers to the very complication and mechanism that integrates these small sub-dials into the watch, and not to the watch itself.
As a general rule, small chronographs, i.e. sub-dials, necessarily come paired with two pushers, in addition to the traditional crown. The role of these buttons is to adjust the operation of the sub-dials. As a rule, the button above the crown serves to start and stop the operation of the sub-dials. The one below the crown serves to reset their operation, starting the “count” from zero. In a chronograph watch, the crown has the same function as for any other type of watch, i.e. to set the actual time.
So, as a general idea, a chronograph watch is something similar to a stopwatch.
Chronographs in replica watches
Regarding the replica watch industry, NOT ALL IMITATIONS have functional chronographs. Chronograph watches have a rather complex internal mechanism to be able to cope with the calculation of different periods of time. Not all replica factories have the technical capacity to build such mechanisms, integrating simple mechanisms instead. As a result, the chronographs are integrated only “aesthetically”, which means that they are not functional, but only appear to be functional. In replica industry slang, these types of watches are known as “frozen chronographs”.
Why am I telling you all this? I do it so that you know WHAT you are buying, when you buy a chronograph replica watch. Dealers can promise you functional chronographs, asking exorbitant amounts for the replica watch. You have to be very careful, and make sure that the chronograph is fully functional. Ask for pictures from the dealer if necessary, and try to buy only from reliable dealers who can guarantee you full functionality of chronograph sub-dials.
The specifics of Chronometers
The confusing term “chronometer” is often understood as a function of a watch, such as a tachymeter, or as a watch complication, such as a perpetual calendar, or chronograph.
In fact, it is neither a function nor a complication. It is, in fact, a standard and a goal towards which all watchmaking houses tend. Did I confuse you a little? I will explain everything to you right away.
The fact that a watch shows the hours, minutes, and calendar indexes does NOT make it a chronometer. In order to obtain chronometer status, watchmaking companies must submit their watches to rigorous tests in order to determine the degree of precision and accuracy of the time. The watch falls into the category of chronometers if it registers an accuracy of approximately -4/+6 sec per day, which is the permissible fluctuation for one.
Obviously, in addition to precision, there are many other quality markers that must be met by a potential chronometer. The idea is that if the watch passes these tests, the manufacturing company receives an official certificate confirming the status of a chronometer. As a rule, these certificates are handed out by the COSC agency, which primarily specializes in the validation of chronometer watches.
As a general idea, therefore, a chronometer is about the perfection of the operation and precision of a watch. When you talk about a chronometer, know that you are actually talking about the superlative standard of watch precision and accuracy.
Rolex, as usual, is the exception to the rule
A curious fact is that Rolex built its own certification ”laboratory” of its timepieces. The tests related to the certification process do not differ much from the COSC tests. But the most remarkable thing is that this brand has set an even more ambitious standard of precision than COSC. The permissible precision fluctuation in Rolex timepieces is -2/+2 sec a day. And the brand’s chronometers fit into it without any problem. With that in mind, imagine now the degree of superiority of Rolex timepieces’ precision. Remarkable, right?!
Chronometers in replica watches
How much we would love to know that replica watches work with the same precision as a genuine chronometer, wouldn’t we?
The truth is that the mechanisms in the replica watches are not and probably never will be tested to such a high level as the COSC level. Based on this, when you see the term “Chronometer” in a replica watch, you should know that it runs on the most common mechanism possible. By “most common” I mean the fact that the operating system was never tested according to COSC standards.
For example, let’s take the Omega Seamaster Chronometer replica watch model. The AAA-grade version of this imitation works on the basis of the Top Quality Japanese OS20 Quartz Movement. The Swiss imitation version comes, at best, with a Genuine Swiss Cal.8800 Movement used in this watch with machinery alignment exactly as per the original model. Still, neither of the two is COSC certified. And it is unlikely that the imitations will have the same precision as the authentic model. Summing up all these ideas, you must know that replica watches will always have a different precision fluctuation compared to original models, even if they have the “chronometer” label on their name.
Can a watch be both a chronograph and a chronometer?
Definitely, yes. Nothing prevents a watch with integrated chronometers from working perfectly and within the COSC- specific precision limits. So, technically, these 2 terms are compatible with a watch.
In reality, very few chronograph watches have the status of chronometers. It seems that in practice, only superlative watch brands have the talent to successfully combine these 2 terms in a single watch. And those watches represent the highest level of horological art.