Horological Meandering

Hi All,

What are your top 5 favorite chronos.  Mine are as follows:

1. Chopard LUC Chrono One

2. Lange 1815 Chrono

3. Chopard MM GT XL LE 2007

4. Omega Speedmaster Professional

5. GO Panomaticchrono



P.S. I included a pic of my Chopard MM GT XL LE 2007 and encourage anyone else to show and not just tell. ( :


Godspeed,

Scott D

added to Editor's Pick
This message has been edited by AnthonyTsai on 2008-03-07 21:29:33

Any thoughts on the Tag Heuer Carrera Calibre 360 (mechanical) capable of measuring 1/100 of a second or the Microtimer which goes to an accuracy of 1/1000 of a second.

 

fnk 

along with the Patek 5959 and Kari Voutilainen's chronograph. Also, the original Royal Oak Offshore.

-SJX

1/ JLC Duo Metre Platinum .
1/ Ex Aequo, Lange Datograph, platinum.
3/ Patek 5070 WG, because the platinum 5070 doesn't exist..LOL
4/ Vacheron Chrono Mante platinum.
5/ Ulysse Nardin Chrono Monopusher, white gold, because platinum doesn't exist...

Best.
Nicolas

But I personally prefer the yellow gold version. Usually I don't like that metal but this one just works.

- SJX

It will give me the opportunity to make an in Depht review of this marvellous time piece.
As for RG/YG or Platinum, I'd add that each of these possiblities gives this watch a different personnality, it's amazing.
But whatever the metal you choose, you can't be wrong.
Best.
Nicolas

I recall the finish of the dials being different, and the dial of the yellow gold left the best impression on me when I saw them last year. Or was I mistaken?

- SJX

The YG has a smooth dial, as the RG and the platinum have " grené" dials...
Best.
Nicolas

Here they are:

Lang and Heyne Albert
JLC Duometre
VC Malte Chrono
Lange and Sohne Double Split
Seiko Spring Drive Chrono GMT

Best
Mitch

Lange datograph

Patek 5070

JLC Duometre

AP RB2

Rolex Daytona Steel

 

 

George

. . . with the possible exception of the moonphase models, the last of the Minervas from a few years back, the Sinn 756 (especially the 's' model), many of the Zenith El Primeros prior to 2004 and perhaps a few since, and the G O Panograph . . . it's hard to beat the Speedy, though.

I was recently tempted to replace my Mk II with the similar but thoroughly modern Constellation Double Eagle titanium chrono, but have since reconsidered. Reliable, durable, rugged, inexpensive, universal parts availability, unfettered appearance, pure functionality . . . what's not to like? Cordially, Art

These are my  favorites, from a group of about 20 that I have owned.

Seiko Flightmaster - killer looks, light, easy to wear - rare complication of power reserve on a Chrono

The GST Perpetual in the center. Not only times, things but looks absolutely the business with all that other stuff going on.

This was my first Chrono and it has clarity, light weight, and matching rubber pushers/strap for coolness.

OK, one more a dark horse. Kinetic, so gets no respect. But this was a $2500 watch less than a decade ago. It's got 6 crystals and the price per
has to be a lot less than a Harry Winston or Vianney Halter (only other watches I can think of with a multitude of glass covers).
It's been worn hard and put away wet more than once, and it runs like a champ.

A while back in Watch Time Magazine they had a guy in there who collects watches, and canes among other things.  He had a one of a kind high dollar collection then the market crash of the 80's forced him to sell it.  He since has another beautiful collection of GP, Patek, Breitling and some others.  Through all his trials he kept the one watch that was most important to him.  It was an Omega just like that one, same color scheme I think.  It was a graduation gift but in the article he said that was his absolute favorite.

1. Richard Mille RM004

2. Kari Voutilainen Chronograph

3. Patek 5004

4. Lange DoubleSplit

5. Glashutte Original PanoRetroGraph

...difficult to disagree with any of those.

 

Cheers,

pplater.

How about you?  What are your choices?

...difficult to disagree with any of those that you have nominated Allen. There are a few that might be considered as part of a larger list, though, and amongst these might be the Speedie Pro for all of the usual reasons, the completely bulletproof and lovely Zenith Chronometre El Primero Flyback (calling Donut...), the ALS Tourbograph PLM as an exotic (and BTW I rate the Double Split ahead of the Dato, but would part with an organ for any of that family), the VC Malte Chrono and its line of forebears, including particularly the 'Cornes de Vache'  Ref 6087 and the 'Les Historiques', Breguets both classic (Ref 5947) and modern (TypeXXI),  the 'Patek du jour' (the 5070 of course), the De Bethune DB 21 for being 'out there' but still haut de gamme, the FPJ Octa chrono (which, despite seemingly being of an ilk with the Voutilainen chrono, appears to be somewhat under-rated), the Urban Jurgensen Reference 1 (OK, so it's a bit more than a 'mere' chrono, but hey...), the GP 4946 (a current favourite) with the GP tourbillon for sheer understatement and, of course, Monsieur Dufour's forthcoming monopoussoir.

In all of this I do not neglect the Duometre, but as yet it's an unproven quantity and with Nicolas as an advocate, JLC needs no more.

Did someone say five? Sorry about that: if you'll pardon the pun, you pushed my buttons...

 

Cheers,

pplater.

 

I basically made my choices within a minute of starting the post.  I think the more we think about it, the more difficult the choices would be!

... having given it more thought? You seemed to me to be on the money.

 

Cheers,

pplater.

I think I would stick with my original list.  The first ones that come to mind are usually the ones that you like best!

 

Do tell.

...a little bit of mischief-making, I'm afraid: just looking to see who's paying attention!  Still, if I were to hope for a new chrono by anyone it would be M.Dufour, especially a rattrapante - can you imagine a more perfect movement??? The complexity of an ALS Double Split with the finish of a Simplicity: if only visualisation could lead to realisation...

 

Cheers,

pplater.

Hi Scott,

Here's my top five chrono (in no particular order)

1) Lange Datograph

2) Breguet 5237 in rose

3) Rolex Daytona 16520 with the Zenith movement

4) Voutilainen Masterpiece Chronograph

5) JLC duometre

Cheers

Gaz

 

PS enjoy the chrono one

in no particular order..

1. ALS Double Split

2.ALS Double Split

3.ALS Double Split

4.ALS Double Split

5.ALS Double Split

Beautifully balanced front, even more exquisite back, extra smooth pushers..this the chrono to beat...

Heavy? Thick? Naahhhh...gives the watch a great presence!!

 

cheers!

 

sh

 

(picture credits from internet - my apologies as authors unknown)

 

No message body

The Double Split Lange...LOL

without doubt the first will be the PP 5070

so: Patek 5070, VC Chrongraphe historique, breguet rattrapante,  Journe's chronograph and the last will be the datograph. (superb movement buy I don't like the dial. the big date screws up the layout, the subdials are to low, and it's too busy)

Are a bit less complex,

Here is my favorite and I the one I went for. Broad Arrow GMT  FP movement, display back, 100M

 

The rest of the list

1. GP Vintage 1945 King Size Chronograph GMT

2. Breitling Chronomat Evo

3 Longines new Admril Chronogarph form the sport line.

4. Omega Seamaster Olympic Chronograph.

That would do it. Each one a different movement. No dupes but a couple of ETA standards.

Voutilainen chronograph
HW Z1
Patek 5980
JLC Duometre

1. GP ww.tc

would be:

1) Lange Datograph

and in no particular order,

2) VC Les Historiques / Malte Chronograph

3) Omega Speedmaster (original moon watch)

4) GO PanoRetroGraph

5) Rolex Daytona (with Zenith el primero movement)

To date, I have only managed to own one of the above, but I'm not complaining.

Cheers,

CS