Horological Meandering

The tactile feel of chronograph movements: some questions?

Hi,

I am considering adding a chronograph to my watch line-up. I previously owned a 7750 based watch (Sinn 756 Diapal) and found the pusher feel to:

a) require high force to engage the chronograph,

b) was a bit jerky/stuttery in the second hand start-up.

I have heard two schools on this:

a) it is inherent in the cam design of the 7750,

b) It depends on the push rod design and some are much smoother.

Question 1: I am curious to hear from others in regard to start feel and the 7750. Is it inherent to its design or is it implimentation specific?

Question 2: Which chronograph movements in your experience are the smoothest to operate and have the best feel?

I was in NYC the other day and was able to stop at a number of the better watch stores to try out a number of chronographs to see how they felt in terms of chronograph functions. I tried a number of chronographs with in-house movements by Blancpain, Breguet, Breitling, Girard Perregaux, Glashutte Original, Jaeger-LeCoultre, Omega, Rolex and Zenith. There were distinct differences in their feel. Some were just as difficult to engage as my experience with the 7750. Others were difficult to engage only at the 12 noon position and were easy at any other. Some were easy in all positions.

It is very difficult to get this type of tactile information. I tried out a number of watches. Some were integrated chronographs, but many were modules atop of a base calber.

Somewhat harder to engage:

-Breguet Calibre 582/1 (Lemania 1372)
-Breitling Calibre B01
-Omega Calibre 1861 (Lemania 1873)
-Zenith El Primero 4002

Easier to engage:

-Blancpain Calibre 69F8 (Frederic Piguet 1185 with a Large Date Module)
-Girard Perregaux Calibre 337A (GP 3300 with a Depras Dubois Module)
-Glashutte Original Caliber 39-34 (Caliber 39 with a Depras Dubois Module)
-Jaeger-LeCoultre Calibre 971a/1
-Rolex Calibre 4130

Interestingly, 2 of the 5 smoother engaging movements were not integrated chronograph movements but had DD modules (curiously, I had always thought that the pushers were not in line with these...). This of course is a qualitative survey, but I thought that I would share my impressions. I would like to try a Grand Seiko 9R86 Spring Drive, but they are hard to come across here in the US.

I would welcome your impressions on the subject.

Bob

💰1859 Marketplace Listings for Rolex›

the best feeling? The Datograph.

By: foversta : November 14th, 2011-14:52

Or of course generaly speaking any Lange movement. They are perfect: smooth but not too much, they work like a mouse button. Despite a very spread idea, it is not due to the fact that the movement has a cam wheel or a column wheel which makes the pushers ...

Thanks...

By: iim7v7im7 : November 14th, 2011-16:10

Foversta, Alas, an ALS 1815 Chronograph is far beyond my financial reach, but I am not surprised to hear that it is superbly smooth. The list below reflects some of the watches that I tried. To your point, can you think of some smoothly running 7750 based...

The Dato, I agree, but I found better: A Longines 13 ZN Chrono.

By: amanico : November 14th, 2011-20:59

It is sweet as butter! Best, Nicolas.

Amoother than the Dato?! You serious?

By: ArthurSG : November 15th, 2011-05:53

I started googling that as well just a few days ago.

At least as smooth.

By: amanico : November 15th, 2011-05:59

There are so many issues embedded in your question

By: jkingston : November 14th, 2011-16:44

There is a pyramid of chronograph designs--ranging from the inexpensive to construct (but inelegant to use) to expensive to construct (and satisfying to use and to behold). Let me say this directly: one of the greatest designs in the history of watchmakin...

Thanks for the Thoughtful Response

By: iim7v7im7 : November 14th, 2011-17:25

Jeff (an others), Thanks very much for your thoughtful overview of chronograph movements. Within my budget, the ALS, AP or BP chronos that you admire are all beyond my reach. I am considering one of the twelve chronographs that I listed above or a watch w...

The Datograph Perpetual will win hands down

By: chintu : November 15th, 2011-09:46

The chronograph pushers of the Datograph Perpetual have the creamiest feel. The chrono features a precisely jumping minute counter ( full minute increments rather than gradual transition). Apart from the tactile feel, the chrono seconds hand starts withou...

I was quite ...

By: fernando : November 14th, 2011-17:43

impressed with the Tag Heuer cal. 1887 pusher feel at the lower price point. It's based on a Seiko movement with column wheel I believe. The top ones have already been mentioned but I would like to add the PP 5070 & VC Malte chrono to the list. ( both Lem...

Correction: Cal. 4130. [nt]

By: fernando : November 14th, 2011-22:47

No message body

Pusher feel …

By: AndrewD : November 14th, 2011-19:35

Interesting discussion so far. Like gear changes on a manual car gearbox, some prefer buttery smooth and others prefer a degree of notchiness, the feel of the teeth engaging. I agree with the observations of the buttery smooth engagement of the 1815 Chron...

Lange is hard to beat, Patek 5170 is also very impressive

By: Moses : November 15th, 2011-10:35