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Buying Guide

5 of the Coolest Chronograph Watches Recently Launched

Taking a look at some of the best chronographs launched early 2021

calendar | ic_dehaze_black_24px By Xavier Markl | ic_query_builder_black_24px 4 min read |
IWC Pilot's Watch Chronograph Edition Tribute to 3705 Ceratanium IW387905

The chronograph is one of the most popular complications and 2021 continues to be a staple of new chronograph launches. Here are 5 cool models that have been presented since the beginning of the year… and with Watches and Wonders coming in a few days, there will certainly be more to add to the list in a couple of weeks.

Hamilton Intra-Matic Chronograph H

A monochrome favourite in the accessible chronograph category, the Hamilton Intra-Matic had been available with automatic movements only. This year, the brand launches a hand-wound version of the model. This nicely executed bi-compax chronograph comes in a compact 40mm case and is fitted with a hand-wound evolution of the tried-and-tested 7750 movement. The model is available on leather strap or mesh bracelet.

2021 Hamilton Intra-Matic Chronograph H Hand-Wound H38429710

More information with our at www.hamiltonwatch.com

Quick facts – 40mm steel case – Calibre H-51 – hand-wound chronograph based on the 7753 architecture, specifically developed for Hamilton – from EUR 1,895

TAG Heuer Carrera Porsche Chronograph Special Edition

Big news, TAG Heuer and Porsche unite forces. To kick-off this new partnership, TAG Heuer Modelled on the 44mm Carrera Sport Chronograph launched in 2020. If it comes with added Porsche or automotive-inspired design cues, TAG Heuer rightfully opted not to feature the Porsche logo all over it. Starting with the black ceramic bezel, the name Porsche is picked out in bright red. The gritty grey surface of the dial looks like the asphalt of racing courses while the applied black gold-plated Arabic numerals use the same font as the dashboard counters of Porsche sports cars. Turn the watch over and the sapphire crystal caseback reveals the Heuer 02, TAG Heuer’s in-house chronograph movement with a robust power supply of 80 hours. The watch is available on a steel bracelet or on a calf leather strap whose stitching echoes the Porsche interior.

TAG Heuer Carrera Porsche Chronograph Special Edition 44mm Calibre Heuer 02 Automatic

For more information and orders, please visit www.tagheuer.com

Quick facts – 44mm steel case – calibre Heuer 02, in-house – automatic chronograph, integrated, column wheel and vertical clutch – from EUR 5,550 on leather strap 

Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch Professional Master Chronometer

Omega has updated its most iconic watch, a model that had been practically untouched since the late 1960s. Importantly, the movement has been fitted with the new co-axial Calibre 3861 which is master chronometer certified. But that’s not just a mechanical upgrade that Omega, as the new moonwatch is coming with several visual updates. The stainless steel Hesalite model on bracelet (ref. 310.30.42.50.01.001) is priced at EUR 6,200, while the stainless steel sapphire model on bracelet (ref. 310.30.42.50.01.002) is priced at EUR 7,000.

Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch Professional Master Chronometer Co-Axial 2021

More information with our in-depth review or at www.omegawatches.com

Quick facts – 42mm steel case – Calibre 3861, in-house – Master Chronometer certified – anti-magnetic (15,000-gauss) – hand-wound chronograph with horizontal clutch – from EUR 5,900 for the steel/leather with hesalite crystal

Zenith Chronomaster Sport

The Zenith Chronomaster has spawned numerous versions and generations since it was originally presented in 1994. As 2021 kicked off, Zenith unveiled a new sporty and technical iteration of the collection with a sharp new look outside and a version of the El Primero movement capable of displaying the 1/10th of a second. Taking full advantage of the 5Hz frequency, the central chronograph hand makes one turn in 10 seconds! Fashioned out of steel, it is presented in a versatile, intermediate diameter of 41mm. The main novelty is the use of a black ceramic bezel featuring the 1/10th of a second graduation, a unique bezel typology for chronographs, differing from the more prevalent tachymeter scales.

Zenith Chronomaster Sport 2021

For more information, please visit www.zenith-watches.com.

Quick facts – 41mm steel case – El Primero 3600, in-house – 1/10th of a second central chronograph hand – automatic column-wheel hi-frequency chronograph with horizontal clutch – from EUR 9,400 on rubber strap

IWC Pilot’s Chronograph “Tribute to 3705”

The Schaffhausen-based brand pays tribute to a cult classic, the 1994 “IWC Fliegerchronograph Keramik”, also known as the Pilot’s Chronograph 3705. The new black-out Flieger chronograph is released in a 1,000-piece limited edition. The watch 41mm case benefits from the brand’s high-tech material, a compound named Ceratanium. Another update to give this IWC Pilot’s Chronograph Edition “Tribute to 3705” its old-school flair is the dial. As such, IWC has given this new model the traits of early FliegerChronograph watches, specifically for the hands and indexes. Under the hood, the calibre 69380 is an in-house integrated automatic chronograph.

IWC Pilot's Watch Chronograph Edition Tribute to 3705 Ceratanium IW387905

For more information, please visit www.iwc.com.

Quick facts – 41mm black matte Ceratanium case – calibre 69380, in-house – automatic with pawl winding system – integrated chronograph with column-wheel – limited edition of 1,000 watches – EUR 12,800

https://mowa.dev/5-cool-chronographs-recently-launched-2021-buying-guide/

7 responses

  1. The new Speedmaster is beautiful, but I can’t buy one because of the idiosyncratic choice between the applied metal logo and the hesalite/solid caseback. I would like both and given the price I’d be unwilling to compromise. I really do not know what Omega were thinking, possibly cost saving, but does that really make any sense?

    The IWC though? That’s a winner aesthetically. The price? Eye watering!

  2. Zenith Chronomaster Sport is a hit for me. Zenith hit this one out of the park in my opinion.

  3. Hamilton;
    Personally prefer their beefier chronos, like the X-Mach

    Omega
    The cheapest Speedmaster with hesalite crystal is the handsomest. Could do with higher water resistance though.

    Zenith
    I do like the standard El Premiros, but this one tries too much to be a Daytona

    IWC
    Save your money and get a Sinn 356 instead.

    TAH Hauer
    Mother always told me that if you’ve got nothing good to say about something, it’s best not to say anything at all.

  4. The sapphire Speedmaster without a doubt, despite all that NASA space geek palaver that appeals to me as much as a blister under my fingernail.

  5. I agree with @Stamos: the A385 revival is to me the coolest new release. It is missing the coolness of the fast chronograph second hand, but other than that it really is incredible.

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