The manual winding chronograph is particularly prized by connoisseurs, less sporty and more chic than its automatic winding cousin, it is also often considered more noble. If you are one of those who love the charm of these particular timepieces, here are some luxury models that should speak to you.
1# The Patek Philippe 5172G
For this vintage chronograph intended for lovers of fine mechanics, a 41 mm 18-carat white gold case, a brown alligator leather strap, and a rose gold-gilded opaline dial whose salmon hue changes from the usual colors. On the latter, a central hand for the chronograph function, an instantaneous 30-minute counter at 3 o’clock, a small seconds counter at 9 o’clock, as well as hour/minute hands filled with luminescent white material, not forgetting the tachymeter scale around the perimeter.
There 5172G from Patek Philippe houses the CH 29 535 PS chronograph caliber, a 33-jewel hand-wound mechanical movement, whose superb finishes are fully visible on the back. This mechanism beats at a rate of 28,800 vph and offers a power reserve of 65 hours.
Price: CHF 68,000
2# Omega’s Speedmaster 321 Canopus Gold
Placed in the series Legacythis Speedmaster unique and very popular with collectors is adorned with a magnificent 38.6 mm case in 18-carat Canopus gold, a white gold alloy exclusive to the brand.
On the dial, there are “Broad Arrow” hands in white gold, as well as indexes with Canopus Gold PVD treatment. The central hand as well as the two 30-minute and 12-hour counters provide the chronograph function, while another counter is used for the small seconds. This same dial is surrounded by a bezel coated in black Grand Feu enamel with a tachymeter scale.
There Speedmaster 321 Canopus Gold is driven by the Omega caliber 321, a reliable, precise and technical hand-wound movement with a 55-hour power reserve. The latter is revealed on the back of the watch thanks to the transparent back.
Price: €95,500
3# The Linesport Monopusher Split-Seconds Chronograph by FP Journe
A watch that is both sporty and luxurious with a rather recognizable dial with its white counters at 3 and 9 o’clock connected by the same plate, its applied numerals, its large date window at 6 o’clock, not to mention its multiple hands, two of which intersect in the center ( split-second function). The pushers on either side of the crown activate the two chronograph and split-seconds functions.
To activate this beautiful little world, the caliber 1518, a manual winding movement designed by FPJourne, featuring a chronograph clutch with tilting pinion, which thus avoids the needle jumping at the start. It has an 80-hour power reserve and a frequency of 21,600 vph. This mechanism is also visible on the back of the model.
THE Linesport Monopusher Split-Seconds Chronograph comprises a 44 mm case and is available in 4 versions: one in 950 platinum, one in 18-carat 6N pink gold, and two in grade 5 titanium.
Price: Approx. €90,000
4# MB&F Legacy Sequential EVO
This is not the first time that we have spoken to you about this model signed by the independent manufacture MB&F, whose skeleton dial is both audacious and complex. Above, the different elements of the movement are superimposed to offer a very pleasant and original mechanical 3D visual effect, amplified by the glass dome above.
There Legacy Sequential EVO includes two chronographs that can be started, stopped and reset completely independently of each other. This particular double chronograph system was entirely developed for the brand, and includes a Twinverter switch with several timekeeping modes, as well as a 72-hour power reserve. To activate these functions, there are no less than 5 pushers in addition to the crown, which securely surround the caseband. On the structure side, this watch plays it sporty and robust with its EVO case in zirconium and its integrated rubber strap.
Price: €160,000
5# The Jean Bugatti by Jacob & Co
For those who love luxury hyper-sports cars, this chronograph is a benchmark. It perfectly embodies the partnership between the Jacob&Co manufacture and the prestigious Bugatti automobile brand, of which this model is the latest.
The dial of the John Bugatti presents an elegant retro face with a surprising layout, directly inspired by the dashboard of a vintage Bugatti car. The openings in the lower part are reminiscent of the grille and headlights of a 1930s Molsheim coupé.
On this same dial, we therefore have these two famous large apertures at 5 and 7 o’clock under smoky sapphire discs which house a pair of one-minute flying tourbillons, as well as a large vertical aperture at 6 o’clock. In the upper part, two short red hands on the edge indicate the hours and minutes, while two other blue hands in the center are used for the chronograph function: one for the units of seconds, the other for the tens of seconds.
On the back of the watch, you can admire the JCFM09 caliber developed exclusively for the John Bugatti. This hand-wound movement is made up of 470 components, oscillates at a frequency of 36,000 vph and has a 48-hour power reserve.
There John Bugatti comes in a 46 mm case in 18-carat white or rose gold, with an alligator leather strap. Each version is available in 57 pieces only.
Price: Approx. €235,000
6# The 1815 Rattrapante of A. Lange & Sohne
This is the first split-seconds chronograph from A. Lange & Söhne. There 1815 split-seconds is an elegant watch with a classic design, featuring a stopwatch function with additive time measurements up to 30 minutes, and a split-seconds function with comparative time measurements up to 60 seconds. These functions can be found on the silver dial, perfectly balanced with its two counters at 6 and 12 o’clock, swept by blued hands, including the split-seconds which allows several intermediate times to be recorded in a single minute if necessary.
This watch contains a rather complex mechanism visible on the back of the case. The in-house caliber L101.2, developed specifically for this timepiece, has a power reserve of 58 hours and a frequency of 21,600 vph. Everything is housed in a precious 41.2 mm brushed and polished 950 platinum case accompanied by a black alligator leather strap.
Be careful, the 1815 split-seconds is only available in 200 platinum and 100 gold.
Price upon request
