Originally for sportspeople and military personnel, the chronograph is essential for professionals who rely on accurate time-keeping. Today, however, its long-standing association with astronauts, pilots and race-car drivers makes it a subtle fashion statement.
Omega's Speedmaster GMT Solar Impulse (above) was created in honour of the Solar Impulse project, an attempt to circumnavigate the globe in a plane powered by the sun. Three black counters, set against a black carbon-fibre dial, indicate the 30-minute recording, 12-hour recording and seconds. Another handy feature is the central GMT hand, which runs in a 24-hour revolution for dual time indication and can be used as a compass. The timepiece costs HK$68,200.
Raymond Weil has updated the Parsifal collection with an automatic chronograph timepiece (above left). A button at two o'clock is used to start and stop the central chronograph while the button at four o'clock resets it to zero. Pink-gold frames for the three subdials and square date-window against a black dial add charisma to the understated design. Encased in the 41mm pink-gold and steel case and priced at HK$33,300, the watch comes with a saddle-stitched black alligator strap.
The split-second (also known as 'rattrapante') chronograph has two second hands, enabling it to time two simultaneous events. Patek Philippe has launched an ultra-thin rattrapante watch with the split-second function (right) encased in stainless steel - a rare choice for the brand. The time is indicated by two black leaf-shaped hands, while two second hands can be started with a button at the three o'clock position. Priced at 440,000 Swiss francs (HK$3.25 million), the watch's silvery opaline dial is completed with intricate black-lacquer engravings.