Five of the best chronographs released in 2022
Zach BlassIf a date complication ranks first on the list of complications you most encounter, the chronograph is likely the second. While most people probably do not use a chronograph as a tool like they would in past decades before smartphones, the romantic connection of having a watch that also serves as a mechanical stopwatch remains strong. We often tell children do not push the button, so perhaps there is a child-like dopamine rush as we actuate the pushers of our chronograph watches. But, I am rambling here. Let’s just get right into it. Here are five of the best chronographs released in 2022.
MB&F LM Sequential EVO
The winner of the GPHG Grand Prix prize, the “Aiguille d’Or”, the MB&F LM Sequential EVO is a must-include on this list. It is one of the most complicated chronograph mechanisms ever made, boasting not one, but two chronographs in one watch. Two chronograph mechanisms run independently of each other, with their own dedicated pushers on the left and right side of the case. But, they are linked by an ingenious “twinverter” pusher at 9′, which will invert the status of each chronograph. So, for example, if you have the right-side chronograph running, and want to stop timing lap one and start timing lap two, you could hit the “twinverter” pusher to simultaneously stop the right-side chronograph and start the left-side chronograph. To record more laps, once you have noted a timed lap down, you could then reset that stopped chronograph and repeat the process over again. So f*****g cool.
| Brand | MB&F |
| Model | LM Sequential EVO |
| Case Material | Zirconium |
| Case Dimensions | 44mm x 18.2mm |
| Water-Resistance | 80m (screw-down crown) |
| Dials | Orange or black PVD dial plates |
| Strap | Black or white rubber |
| Movement | LM Sequential EVO |
| Power Reserve | 72 hours |
| Complications | Hours, minutes, power reserve, two column-wheel chronographs |
| Availability | Now |
| Price | CHF 160,000/ EUR 160,000 / $180,000 USD (all excl. applicable taxes) |
Zenith Chronomaster Sport Boutique Edition
Continuing the theme of accomplishing things I have never seen another manufacture do, Zenith blew us away with their quietly launched Boutique Edition of their wildly popular Chronomaster Sport. It is nearly every bit the same watch as the steel Chronomaster Sport models you are probably familiar with, but it stands out with a tri-coloured ceramic bezel. Not just a ceramic insert for the bezel mind you, a full tri-coloured ceramic bezel. As we saw with the modern GMT Master II Pepsi, which collectors have since denoted models with a Mk1 or Mk2 bezel due to the variations, it is already hard enough for manufactures to make ceramic inserts limited to two colours. Zenith, on the first go upon release, managed to perfectly execute three colours. And the silver, black, and blue colours are by no means random. They were specifically chosen to match Zenith’s famed tri-colour registers, featured against the silver backdrop of the Boutique Edition dial.
| Brand | Zenith |
| Model | Chronomaster Sport Boutique Edition |
| Case Material | Stainless Steel |
| Case Dimensions | 41mm (D) x 13.8mm (T) x 47mm (L2L) |
| Water-Resistance | 100m |
| Dials | Silver-toned sunray-patterned dial with three different-coloured counters |
| Strap | Stainless steel bracelet w/ folding clasp |
| Movement | In-house hi-beat automatic El Primero 6000 |
| Power Reserve | 60 hours |
| Complications | Hours, minutes, small seconds, date, 1/10th of a second chronograph |
| Availability | Now |
| Price | A$17,200 / US$12,800 |
Omega Speedmaster ’57 40.5mm
There are loads of Speedmaster watches in the modern catalogue. Of course, the Speedmaster Moonwatch is the most familiar and inquired upon. But, this year the Speedmaster that stole the show was the new Speedmaster ’57 40.5mm. With a smaller case diameter than the Moonwatch, as well as a more slender profile, the Speedmaster ’57 arguably offers a greater level of wearability than the Speedmaster Professional Moonwatch. Also, its steel bezel, front-side polished, and straight-lugged case, paired with a flat-link bracelet I should add, affords a more elegant vibe that can be both dressed up and down with ease. And, with a variety of dial colours, there is a hue for every taste. It also worth noting that the manual-winding Co-Axial Master Chronometer Calibre 9906, with its full-bridge decorated with Geneva waves in arabesque is a robust beaut to look at as well.
| Brand | Omega |
| Model | Speedmaster ’57 Co-Axial Master Chronometer Chronograph |
| Case Dimensions | 40.5mm (D) x 13.4mm (T) x 49.4mm (L2L), 20mm lug width |
| Case Material | Stainless steel |
| Water Resistance | 50 metres |
| Dial | Black, blue, green, or burgundy |
| Crystal(s) | Box sapphire crystal front, flat sapphire crystal back |
| Straps | Flat-link stainless steel bracelet or colour-matched leather strap |
| Movement | Omega Calibre 9906, METAS-certified with Co-Axial escapement, 60-hour power reserve |
| Functions | Hours, minutes, seconds, chronograph, time zone setting |
| Price | A$13,200 / US$8,600 (steel flat-link bracelet) |
| A$12,725 / US$8,300 (leather strap) |
Tissot PRX Chrono
The Tissot PRX Powermatic 80 was a massive success, so it is only natural that Tissot followed it up this year with a PRX Chrono. If the PRX is the affordable Vacheron Constantin 222 or Royal Oak alternative, the PRX Chrono is the affordable alternative to a Royal Oak Chronograph. The same integrated thrills as its predecessor, the PRX Chrono forgos the clous de Paris dial – instead serving up a delectable sunburst panda dial. With its automatic 60-hour power reserve Valjoux chronograph calibre, 42mm x 14.5mm 100 metre water-resistant case, and a case-matching integrated stainless-steel bracelet with quick-release system, there is a lot to like about this US$1,750 watch.
| Brand | Tissot |
| Model | PRX Automatic Chronograph |
| Ref. Number | T137.427.11.011.00 (silver dial) T137.427.11.041.00 (blue dial) |
| Case Size | 42mm x 53mm x 15.3mm |
| Case Material | Stainless steel |
| Dial | Vertically brushed with contrasting chronograph sub-dials |
| Strap | Integrated stainless steel bracelet |
| Movement | Valjoux A05.H31 automatic chronograph, 60-hour power reserve |
| Crystal | Sapphire crystal with AR coating |
| Functions | Chronograph with 30-minute and 12-hour counter |
| Price | AU$2,775 / US$1,750 |
| Availability | Available now |
IWC Pilot’s Watch Chronograph Top Gun Edition “Woodland Green”
Green has become increasingly popular of late, so to come forward with a green-dialled novelty pits you against a lot of others. But, IWC came correct with their “Woodland Green” chronograph. The watch stands out with its unique Pantone-derived green shade, utilised on both the dial and the ceramic case. It’s a super stealthy darker green that pops under light. The IWC Pilot’s Watch Chronograph Top Gun Edition “Woodland Green” is definitely a larger watch, but its size caters to the aviation theme it was born from. Robust, stealthy yet legible, and very handsomely executed.
| Brand | IWC |
| Model | Pilot’s Watch Chronograph Top Gun Edition “Woodland Green” |
| Case Material | Ceramic |
| Case Dimensions | 44.5mm (D) x 15.7mm (T) x 53.6mm (L2L) |
| Water-Resistance | 60m (screw-down crown) |
| Dials | Matte Woodland Green |
| Strap | Green rubber strap with textile inlay, green ceramic pin/buckle |
| Movement | IWC-manufactured automatic 69380 |
| Power Reserve | 46 hours |
| Complications | Hours, minutes, small seconds, day, date, chronograph |
| Availability | Now, Limited Availability |
| Price | A$15,900 / US$10,700 |
Honorary mention: Swatch x Omega MoonSwatch
The Swatch x Omega MoonSwatch is the undisputed biggest release of 2022. It was not just a watch community moment, but a pop cultural moment that brought a whole new base of people into the thrills of watch enthusiasm and collecting. The queues and demand for the watch were massive, and unprecedented. It was unlike anything we have ever seen in the watch industry. But, this choice was so obvious I elected to reserve it as an honorary mention.