From racetracks to wrists: 10 of the greatest chronograph watches
Sleek, purposeful, and unmistakably sporty, chronograph watches have long bridged the gap between utility and style. From the dashboards of Le Mans racers to the wrists of astronauts, they’ve timed the fast, the fearless, and the downright historic. These days, the function has become just as much about style and status as it is about practicality.
Whether you’re just dipping your toes into the world of men’s chronograph watches, or you’re looking to expand your collection with something off the beaten path, we count off ten of the greatest chronograph wrist watches that you can buy today.
What is a chronograph watch?
Let’s start with the basics: what is a chronograph watch, anyway?
A chronograph (literally translating to “time writer”) is a watch with a built-in stopwatch function. Typically, this means additional pushers on the side of the case that start, stop, and reset a central seconds hand, often accompanied by sub-dials for minutes and hours.
Chronograph watches were originally designed for aviation, racing, and diving – basically any situation where timing short intervals mattered. If you’re interested in learning more about their history, we have an article you can explore here.
Key features to look out for:
- Multiple sub-dials (usually for 30-min or 12-hr recording)
- Tachymeter scales for measuring speed over a known distance
- Two or three pushers depending on complexity
Right then – let’s get into it. Here are 10 of the best chronograph watches money can buy in 2025.
Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch Professional
Let’s start with the obvious. No list of the best chronograph watches would be complete without the Omega Speedmaster – the first watch worn on the moon, and still a mainstay of the modern Omega catalogue. With its fame overwhelmingly coming from space, it’s easy to forget that it’s original design was intended for motorsport – still present with the tachymeter on the bezel. There’s currently 21 watches within the Moonwatch range, including steel, Moonshine gold, Sedna gold and Canopus Gold.
Read our deep dive on the Omega Speedmaster here.
Movement: Omega 3861 manual wind
Case size: 42mm
Price: £6,000 (steel on steel model)
TAG Heuer Monaco Chronograph
The TAG Heuer Monaco Chronograph is pure motorsport glamour. Famously worn by Steve McQueen in Le Mans, this square-case icon is all about boldness. A revolutionary watch, disrupting the pre 1969 norm of round watches.
Find out more about the TAG Heuer Monaco here.
Movement: Calibre 11 Automatic
Case size: 39mm
Price: £7,500
Longines Conquest Chronograph
A slightly dressier entry, the Longines Conquest Chronograph blends sportiness and elegance in a distinctly Longines way. As covered in our article on the history of chronographs, Longines was among the first watch brands to bring the complication to the wrist with its Single-Pusher Chronograph of the 1910s. Although the Conquest Chronograph bears little resemblance to that early ancestor, the heritage it carries lends real credibility and secures its place on our list.
Movement: L898 Automatic
Case size: 42mm
Cost: £3,650
Zenith Chronomaster Sport
If you want to get serious about chronograph watches, you have to look at Zenith – the first integrated automatic chronograph movement in the world. Our pick of the bunch? The Chronomaster Sport – a perfectly balanced watch – combining a black bezel, with a white face, and of course the unmistakable tri-colour subdials. Under the case is Zenith’s El Primero 3600, with an unmatched 1/10th of a second automatic chronograph movement.
Interested in finding out more about Zenith and the El Primero? We’ve got you covered here.
Movement: El Primero 3600 Automatic
Case size: 41mm
Price: £10,400
Hamilton Intra-matic Auto Chrono
A modern chronograph, with a vintage throwback that nails the 60s racing aesthetic. Underneath the distinctive ‘panda dial’ is the H-31 Swiss caliber, at £2,135, it is fantastic value for an auto chronograph.
Movement: H-31 automatic movement
Case size: 40mm
Price: £2,135
Brew Metric – Retro Dial
This is definitely the wild card of the list. From New York’s indie darling Brew Watch Co. comes the Brew Metric Chronograph – an espresso-fueled tribute to ’70s retro futurism – not the racetrack. The titanium variation first earned a spot on our Top 10 Watches Under £500 list, and now returns in our 10 Greatest Chronograph Watches, thanks to the retro dial and quirky design that’s rapidly building a cult following for Brew. It may not be for everyone – but we love it!
Movement: Hybrid VK68 Meca-quartz Chronograph
Case size: 36mm
Price: £358
IWC Portugieser Chronograph
The IWC Portugieser Chronograph blends the timeless elegance of the Portugieser design with the everyday practicality of a chronograph. Being a Portugieser, it’s born from marine navigation, rather than the asphalt of a race track. While firmly on the dressier side, it can easily be “sportified” (yes, we made that word up) with a rubber strap. Our standout pick is the contemporary white dial version, elevated by striking blue hands and subdials, which sit in perfect alignment when paired with the blue rubber strap.
Movement: IWC 69355 Automatic
Case size: 41mm
Price: £7,300
Rolex Cosmograph Daytona
Born from the world of motorsport and named after the famed Daytona International Speedway, the Rolex Cosmograph Daytona has become one of the most coveted chronographs ever made. First launched in 1963 and designed for professional racing drivers, it’s now a symbol of both performance and style. Available in Oystersteel, yellow gold, Rolesor (Oystersteel and yellow gold), white gold, Everose gold, and platinum, the Daytona offers a version for every collector. Our pick? The Oystersteel with white dial and black counters — a timeless classic with undeniable Paul Newman vibes.
Movement: Rolex Calibre 4131 automatic
Case size: 40mm
Price: £13,600
Tissot PRX Chrono
Claiming the title of the dressiest watch on this list, the Tissot PRX Chronograph draws heavily on 1970s design cues. Its brushed silver panda dial, accented by deep blue subdials, gives it a refined yet sporty character. The angled date window between 4 and 5 o’clock adds a distinctive touch that enhances its dynamic look.
Movement: Swiss Tissot automatic
Case size: 42mm
Price: £1,695
Breitling Top Time
The Breitling Top Time is a chronograph with a rebellious streak and is the watch adding some serious attitude to this list. First introduced in the 1960s for a younger, sportier audience, it broke from traditional designs with bold graphic dials. Today’s collection revives that spirit, from the retro-inspired “Zorro” and classic panda dials to automotive collaborations with Ford Mustang, Chevrolet Corvette and Shelby Cobra. We’ve picked out the Shelby Cobra variant because of its striking blue dial and red accents, framed effectively by its white ring.
Movement: Breitling 01 automatic
Case size: 41mm
Price: £5,950
Which chronograph watch is right for you?
From rugged tool watches to motorsport legends, chronograph watches have never gone out of style – and never will. They’re multifunctional, packed with heritage, and – let’s be honest – just look cool on the wrist.
Whether you’re after a moon-bound Omega, a racetrack-ready TAG, or a budget-friendly Seiko chronograph 100m, there’s something on this list for every wrist and wallet.
One last tip? If you’re buying your first mens chronograph watch, consider what you’ll use the complication for. Are you actually timing things, or just loving the look? Either answer is fine – just make sure it puts a grin on your face every time you check the time.
Check our live competitions – a Speedmaster or Monaco might just land on your wrist sooner than you think.
