Who doesn’t like a good looking chronograph? Chronographs are a unique species of watches. They indeed are. They are usually regarded as a rite of passage for watchmakers. However, at the same time they are not limited to a specific price range like its counterparts, namely, perpetual calendars and tourbillons. Chronographs can be found in the form of all kinds of watches. They can be seen in classic dress watches, tough as nails tool watches, and last but not least, ultra-high horology references.
Editor’s Choice – The Best Chronographs Produced In 2020
The year 2020 has seen some really fantastic references with what we know today as the world’s oldest and most widely used complication, the chronograph. Here are a few of my personal favorites that you might otherwise overlook.
The Nivada Grenchen Chronomaster Aviator Sea Diver
As I mentioned earlier, this blog will not be focusing on the clichéd timepieces and I intend to keep my word. The timepiece in focus is the Nivada Grenchen Chronometer Aviator Sea Diver. Nivada Grenchen is such a multi-faceted watchmaker that it would take days to properly dive into its range of watches.
The word I would choose to describe this reference would be ‘rustic’. The timepiece mentioned here is a perfect manifestation of mechanics combined with a sheer no-nonsense mindset. The watch has been upgraded as per modern needs for sure but it retains its tool watch identity that really separates it from the hordes of quintessential dress watches. The watch tries to please no one and that is what makes it the most attractive.
Find out more about this timepiece at https://nivadagrenchenofficial.com.
The IWC Portugieser Chronograph
The Portugieser Chronograph is an age-old classic among chronos. The timepiece is just as good as they get. As a matter of fact, the watch perfectly fits the description of a modern classic. Be it the case, the lugs, the hands, or the leather straps, everything about this watch screams ‘classic’.
When you add an in-house manufactured movement to the equation, the amazement just magnifies multifold. In 2020, IWC launched the new Portugieser Chronograph with a stainless steel bracelet and I’ll tell you why this is special. You see, stainless steel has always had a unexplained relationship with tool watches. Now, although the Portugieser is not your textbook tool watch, it does have the necessary characteristics of one.
That is not it though. The watch has also got an upgrade in the form of the Calibre 69355. After almost three decades in existence, (the original was released in the 1940s, but it was discontinued after some time. It was revived again in 1993.) the watch finally seems to reach its final form.
The bracelet used looks extremely sporty, but then again, any bracelet would do that. The bracelet makes it look the part and offers a rather rugged aesthetic as opposed to what the Portugieser is usually known for.
Find out more at https://www.iwc.com/en/watch-collections/portugieser/iw371605-portugieser-chronograph.html
The Breitling AVI Ref. 765 1953
The Breitling AVI is a rather lesser known timepiece from the popular tool watchmaker. The 765 AVI Chronograph is new in the sense that it has been redesigned and recreated. The mid-century military design offers a very vintage vibe and is made available in rose gold, platinum, and of course, stainless steel. The collection has been reborn after about 67 years and we could not be more excited.
The 41 mm case diameter is just enough for keeping people hooked and the 12-hour bezel secured via screws is perfect for making the watch look the part. Recreating the original AVI 765 1953 edition is not an easy task. There are a lot of areas to be taken care of. For instance, it has to look like the original but at the same time also cater to modern needs and audiences. One such pre-requisite is ample power reserve, something that has been beautifully handled by the B09 Calibre. The movement offers a solid 70-hour power reserve at 4 Hertz.
Find out more at https://www.breitling.com/us-en/watches/aviator-8/avi-ref-765-1953-re-edition/AB0920131B1/
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