What does a chronograph actually do? How do you use the subdials? And do you really need one? A complete beginner's guide to chronograph watches.
Chronograph Watches: A Complete Guide to Features and Functions
Let's be honest: most people buy chronograph watches because they look cool. The multiple subdials, the pushers on the side, the tachymeter bezel — it gives a watch a purposeful, tool-like aesthetic that simple three-hand watches can't match.
But if you own a chronograph, you should know how to actually use it. Here's everything you need to know.
What Is a Chronograph?
A chronograph is essentially a stopwatch built into your watch. The main watch keeps time normally (hours and minutes), while the chronograph function lets you measure elapsed time independently.
The word comes from Greek: chronos (time) + graph (to write). Early chronographs literally marked time on paper.
The Parts of a Chronograph
Pushers
The two buttons on the right side of the case:
Top pusher (2 o'clock): Start and stop the chronograph
Bottom pusher (4 o'clock): Reset the chronograph to zero
On most quartz chronographs (like our SG-1), you press the top pusher to start, press it again to stop, then press the bottom pusher to reset.
Subdials
The smaller dials on the watch face tell the chronograph story:
Chronograph seconds (usually the large central seconds hand or a subdial at 9 o'clock): Measures seconds up to 60
Chronograph minutes (subdial at 6 or 3 o'clock): Measures up to 30 minutes
Chronograph hours (subdial at 6 o'clock or small window): Measures up to 12 hours
The SG-1 Chronograph features a 24-hour subdial in addition to the chronograph functions — useful for tracking a second time zone or AM/PM reference.
The Fourth Hand
Many chronographs have a separate, thinner seconds hand (often called the "running seconds" hand) on a subdial that ticks continuously — this is the normal watch seconds, separate from the chronograph.
Common Chronograph Complications
1. Standard Chronograph
Start-stop-reset. Measures elapsed time up to 12 hours.
2. Flyback Chronograph
A single press of the bottom pusher resets and immediately restarts the chronograph — useful for timing consecutive events without stopping and starting.
3. Split-Seconds (Rattrapante)
Two chronograph seconds hands — one can be stopped independently while the other continues. Used for timing overlapping events.
What Is a Tachymeter?
That ring of numbers around the bezel (marked 60-400) is a tachymeter. It measures speed based on time over a fixed distance.
How to use it:
Start the chronograph when passing a mile marker
Stop it when passing the next mile marker
Read the number on the bezel at the chronograph hand's position or that matches the time on the subdial.
If the hand points to "60," you were traveling at 60 mph. If it points to "120," you were doing 120 mph.
In practice, it's also used for: measuring production rates ("60 units per hour"), heart rate monitoring (medical tachymeters), or just looking incredibly cool.
Do You Need a Chronograph?
Get a chronograph if:
You like the look (this is the #1 reason — and it's valid)
You cook and need kitchen timers (seriously, sous-vide + chronograph = perfect)
You track workouts, parking meters, or productivity intervals
You want a watch that feels purposeful and mechanical
Skip the chronograph if:
You want the thinnest, most elegant dress watch possible (chronographs are thicker)
You never use timers (a simple three-hand watch is more elegant)
Budget is tight (chronographs cost more for the movement)
The SG-1 Approach
Our SG-1 Chronograph uses the Hattori VR32 movement — a proven Japanese quartz chronograph caliber. It gives you:
12-hour chronograph (start/stop/reset)
24-hour subdial (dual time zone reference)
Date window at 3 o'clock
Luminous hands and markers
5ATM water resistance
At 43.5mm with sapphire crystal and 316L steel, it's a chronograph built to be used — not just admired.
Quick Start Guide
Press top pusher → Chronograph starts (seconds hand sweeps)
Press top pusher again → Chronograph stops
Press bottom pusher → Chronograph resets to zero
That's it. You now know how to use a chronograph.