Horological Meandering

Hi, I have been revisting a potential chronograph purchase. Must have requirements are stainless steel case, dark dial, running seconds hand and between 39-44 mm (if round). Nice to haves are good lume and a display case back. Some new watches within my b... 

I always appreciate a real manufactured movement which is also developed and designed by the Manufacturer. So strictly speaking at least the following of your candidates are having a fully manufactured movement: - Breitling - GP - Glashutte Original - JLC... 

Why is an integrated movement designed, developed and manufactured by Frederic Piguet for Blancpain or Lemania for Breguet (considering that they are now legally integrated) any more "real" than an in-house GO Calibre 39 with a chronograph module designed... 

We all appreciate different things and it's just my very personal opinion that these "integrated" movement makers are not the same as true manufacturers. But that's just my language. I have i.e. several Blancpains and Breguets and I'm very happy with thos... 

Kari, Thanks for clarifying your point. That leaves only Breitling, IWC, JLC, Zenith and Rolex as true chronograph manufacturers by your standard. The BP and VC use a FP calibre 1185, The GO and the GP use a DD module on their base movements, Breguet uses... 

. . . a Glashütte Original in a 39 mm case with an integrated chronograph movement. [watch and photo courtesy Goh] [watch and photo courtesy Yong] The PanoGraph was, in my humble opinion, both a great watch and an amazing value. It would be worth your whi...  

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...it is very similar to your Panomatic Lunar. I would add the Breitling Transocean and the limited edition B-01 Navitimers (particularly the Montbrillant-01) to your list. From your list, perhaps the VC Overseas is the easiest choice as it has a superb m... 

I believe the movement inside the IWC is a modified Valjoux based on the 7700 line (certainly the positioning of the subdials seems to confirm this). So it fails whatever "home grown" test one might want to apply....for what it's worth. My choice among al... 

The 1185 is a Frederic Piguet movement used by a wide variety of brands, including AP, VC and many others but arguably "in-house" to BP at this point. I've never heard of JLC using this movement although the architecture and some components of their integ... 

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Bob, Following Kari's sugggestion, you could select a Daytona from several years ago, and have that Zenith movement AND the Rolex name. I think that would be a great choice. There are plenty on the market and in 10 years of following them, they've never g... 

With a Daytona in your collection, as already suggested, or why not consider an Omega Speedmaster "Moonwatch"... And you'll have fun getting to grips with them all... Gary

Are the two examples you didn't mention and which are worth a try... GP Vintage 45 is another very interesting one ( fully in house ). In your list, the Breguet Type XX and the JLC black dial are also very good choices. Try them, your wrist will show you ... 

PAM for me but I will never be able to bring myself to paying the price it is asking now or anything close to that.

For example, if you compare the price of any other Pre V with the Mare, the Mare is still ( and it was always the case, curiously ) a bargain. Best, Nicolas.

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on your list, the VC Overseas is by far the best choice IMO. My next choice would be the JLC, good luck deciding. Tony

The VC was my favorite of all these bracelet chrono's. I regretfully sold it!!! I had both the Blancpain and JLC your looking at on the strap. My wrist is 6.5 inches....... Tony...  

for the OP, 2 suggestions 1. Rolex Daytona 2. If you get the breitling, make sure its the more classic and iconic Navitimer, not the Chronomat.

You may also want to take into account the absurdly high cost of servicing some chronos, particularly from some makes. Servicing costs can already be high, but chronos can cost double or triple the cost of an ordinary service (or even much more). There ar... 

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Zenith ElPrimero beating at 36000 vph ; column wheel chrono, inhouse manufacture; A true workhorse; and value for money any time. My vote would be for Zenith. If you had the budget then, the GO Panograph of course. If you can get the steel Jaeger Reverso ... 

may be you ought to consider a PAM 204 Radiomir (housing a Lemania 1872)...  

I really like their chronographs Chrono One which have very balanced dial and interesting features of the movement. Fx

Admittidly not a chronograph, my Habring2 is now my daily beater and it has been for some time. It you do not mind/ like a rather large watch, why don't you drop a line to Richard and Maria Habring and ask them what they can do for you? Even better: tell ... 

Thanks for your responses and comments. I took a look at some of the suggestions and wanted to share my thoughts. Breitling Navitimer 01: I tried one of these on recently at the Breiting boutique in NYC. It is a very nice watch, albeit busy. I also found ... 

If you check around you will find a few (4-5 pieces) most NIB offered at almost the same price than when they were issued, So at the price you can today get one, there are no competition, and added value it is rare with only 125 pieces produced, and a per... 

... has anyone recommended Chopard? I am and would be much intrigued by Jacky Ickx edition as well as other COSC certified chronos from Chopard. Or, of course, the Speedy! From the vintage department, I would love to own Longines 30CH movement one day....... 

Hi not sure if you have made your new purchase yet, but if you haven't i think you should seriously think about the Zenith! They are an amazing brand terrific quality and the Captain chrono is a great looking watch. Plus Zenith make the best chronographs.