Rolex Daytona 116500
The Rolex Daytona 116500 is one of the latest models in the popular Daytona chronograph line. Originally designed for endurance racers, the Daytona model has been produced for over 50 years and continues to set the standard for sports chronographs in general. The main feature of the model is the bezel with a tachymeter, which can be used to measure speed up to 400 miles per hour. The bezel on the 116500 model is black, reminiscent of the 1965 Daytona model that came with a black plexiglass insert.
The dial is silver-white, with silver appliqué indices and luminescent hands inside. The hands are long and thin, with a straight, non-tapering profile. This makes the watch easy to read at a glance. The second hand moves in 1/8 second increments, providing exceptional accuracy. Three sub-dials show time in 30 and 60-minute increments, as well as hours. This makes it easy to track elapsed time while simultaneously keeping track of the current time. The watch is topped with a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal, and the overall water resistance of the case is 100 meters.
The Calibre 4130 automatic movement consists of fewer parts than most similar chronograph movements. The fewer the parts, the less complex it is, meaning less chance for inaccuracy. The mechanism is highly shock and temperature resistant, with an accuracy of +/- 2 seconds per day. The watch is adjusted using a screw-down crown, which can also be used to wind the watch.
Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch Professional
The Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch Professional not only has chronometer characteristics but also looks like a chronometer: a winding crown and two pushers on the right side, with the left side bare. This makes the watch convenient to operate, although it is more comfortable for right-handers than left-handers. The 42mm case is made of stainless steel, 18-carat Sedna gold, or 18-carat Canopus gold.
There is also an additional display case back, providing visibility of the Calibre Omega 3861 movement. This movement is an upgrade of the earlier Calibre 1861. It is the same size but has a longer power reserve, better magnetic properties, and chronometer characteristics. In fact, the 50-hour power reserve is one of the longest you can find.
The most striking visual feature is that the hands are dome-shaped along with the crystal. This provides a unique profile and eliminates any distortions from the dome shape, allowing for accurate readings. The hands are thin, with luminescent strips down the center for better visibility. The second hand has a luminescent pointer at the front, which is also easy to read. On the lower half of the dial are three tachymeter sub-dials. The upper left shows 60 minutes, the upper right 30, and the one at the “6 o'clock” position shows up to 12 hours.
IWC Portugieser Chronograph
The IWC Portugieser Chronograph is yet another medium-large profile watch, with a 41mm stainless steel case. It features a sport narrow bezel, leaving room for a beautiful, wide dial. The dial itself is silver-coated and relatively spartan for a chronograph. Instead of three additional dials, there are two, and they are the same color as the rest of the dial. There is no dark ring around them, just a slight recess, allowing them to blend seamlessly with the rest of the design. The upper sub-dial at the “12 o'clock” position shows time in 30-second intervals, and the lower one at the “6 o'clock” position in 60-second intervals.
The hands are narrow but slightly thicker in the center and taper to the tips and bases. Small applied blue dots are located on the one-minute marks, and larger dots on the five-minute marks. Arabic numerals are also present, although 12 and 6 are cut out to make room for the additional dials.
The glass is scratch-resistant sapphire, perfectly flat on top to avoid casting shadows on the dial. All this ensures a clean appearance without excessive embellishment. Meanwhile, the back cover of the watch looks stunning when the watch is removed. All this is complemented by a blue alligator leather strap, which pairs beautifully together.
Zenith El Primero Chronomaster Sport
The Zenith El Primero Chronomaster Sport is one of the most striking chronometers you can find. Like most other chronometers, it has three sub-dials, but each is a different color. The left and right sub-dials are pale gray and metallic blue, respectively, displaying separate 30-second intervals. The “6 o'clock” sub-dial is a richer gray color and shows time in 60-second intervals. All are inscribed on a bright white dial, with a small date window between the “4” and “5 o'clock” indices. The 5-minute markers are silvered, and tiny minute hashes are painted. The silver hands are straight and narrow, with thin luminescent strips down the center.
The stainless steel case has a diameter of 41mm, giving it a medium size on the wrist. The watch features a wide ceramic bezel with an inclined scale, marked every 1/10 second. This allows for high-precision timekeeping. The watch is operated using a crown and two pushers, making it very simple to use. The movement is the proprietary El Primero 3600, boasting chronometer precision and a 60-hour power reserve. This is even more than the Omega Speedmaster! And the 100-meter water resistance means you won't have to worry about taking these watches for a swim.
Girard Perregaux Laureato Chronograph
The Girard Perregaux Laureato Chronograph is one of the smallest chronograph watches on the market. The case diameter is 38mm, making it medium in size, but most of this area is taken up by a thick hexagonal bezel. This leaves less room for the dial than you might expect from a watch of this diameter. The case is available in both stainless steel and 18-carat rose gold. The stainless version uses 904L steel, which is one of the most corrosion-resistant options.
The hands and indices are made of blued metal with luminescent strips for better visibility. They are set against a textured silver background, providing sufficient contrast. Sub-dials are located at the “9” and “3 o'clock” positions, showing 30- and 60-second intervals, respectively. At the “6 o'clock” position, there is a third additional dial, counting time up to 12 hours. All sub-dials are black, creating a contrast with the dial. A discreet date window is located between the 4 and 5 o'clock positions.
The Calibre GP03300 movement belongs to the chronometer class, has 27 jewels, and a 46-hour power reserve, which is above average.