A chronometer watch ...

"A chronometer watch is a specific type of watch tested and certified to meet certain precision standards. In Switzerland, only timepieces certified by the COSC may use the word 'Chronometer' on them".

There are other types of chronometers (or used to exist, before atomic clocks and GPS) but, as you stated, they are tools and not watches.

So, IMHO, a chronometer has nothing to do with the ability to hack or not, but, again IMHO, a chronometer wrist watch that does not hack is painful to be properly set.

That is the main reason that most of precision freaks, like me, prefer watches that hack but this is a pure preference. I like the Zenith El Primero movements and they don't hack.

On a summary, the non-hacking ones are just a little more annoying to be set.

An ideal watch for me (that does not exist, as far I know) should be one that when you pull the crown to adjust the time, when you press the crown back the seconds should reset to zero and then keep going.

About your example, there is an extreme one that says that a stopped watch is perfectly correct twice a day.

Cheers,

Nilo

What's a chronometer?

By: nickd : October 11th, 2012-01:17

Following the thread about the new Journe chronometer, I'll open a discussion about what a chronometer is with some random historical jottings. A chronometer shows the correct time at all times. Imagine the following situation: - A watch gains 8 seconds d...

A chronometer watch ...

By: nilomis : October 11th, 2012-11:25

The Montblanc Villeret Retour-à-Zéro offers that . . .

By: Dr No : October 11th, 2012-15:11

. . . impressive functionality, Nilo. Not that I'm in the market for five-figure watches these days, but if I were, the smaller version of the one I reviewed a few years ago . . . . . . would be on the very short list, along with the G O Senator Chronomet...

Amazing is not a proper word to define ...

By: nilomis : October 11th, 2012-15:44

This feature. Perhaps "revolutionary". Montblanc is ... Coming, for sure. A hit here, a miss there but they are on the proper direction. Cheers, Nilo

Definitions...

By: BDLJ : October 11th, 2012-15:59

To me, the term Chronometer describes the precision and accuracy of the timer, not the method used to obtain that accuracy. In the 21st century a mechanical watch is only a chronometer when afforded 'special dispensation' by the self-regulating watch indu...

According to Fritz von Osterhausen...

By: SteveG : October 11th, 2012-17:21

paraphrasing from his book "Wristwatch Chronometers": The term "chronometer" began in 1715 with English watchmaker Jeremy Thacker, for a sea watch using a verge movement. John Arnold extended the use to pocketwatches in 1782 for those having spring or piv...

Don't forget...

By: Tony C. : October 12th, 2012-12:32

L'Observatoire de Besançon, which has certified chronometres in France over many years (including some of those rare Leroy & Cie Peseux 260 examples).

Yes indeed, and the British and the Germans, as well.....nt

By: SteveG : October 16th, 2012-12:30

I totally agree with your last sentence, Steve. It perfectly sums what can be seen as a

By: amanico : October 12th, 2012-12:40

Chronometer. Best, Nicolas

What is a Chronometer? These!

By: Tick Talk : October 16th, 2012-16:13

1912 Observatory movement, completed trials at Geneva and Kew, cased in 1914: 1927 Observatory movement, 3rd Prize at Geneva as adjusted by Edmond Olivier, cased in 1942 as a deck watch: I couldn't agree more that today "chronometer" is a marketing term a...