11 Chronographs Crafted as Diving or Dress Watch

Despite being more sophisticated than normal dive watches, diving chronographs must be subjected to the same high usefulness and durability criteria. To meet ISO standards, a watch must be pressure tested to at least 200 meters and have a legible dial and a ratcheting time bezel.

Chronographs, on the other hand, are sometimes seen as excessively sophisticated for dress-watch duties by super fans who feel the dress watch should be as minimalistic as possible. But there’s no reason a chronograph shouldn’t be worn to a formal occasion. There are several chronographs available that retain their stopwatch function but forego the tool-driven appearance in favor of a compact, elegant, and polished design. Some of the diving chronographs that achieve the ISO standards of a diving watch, as well as the finest chronographs as dress watches are featured here.

•   Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean Co-Axial Chronograph

In the brand’s chronograph family, the Speedmaster gets all the attention, but the Omega Seamaster has long been a platform for the stopwatch feature. Its Planet Ocean, on the other hand, may be the most technologically remarkable, with a coaxial movement that is accurate to chronometer standards, a helium escape valve, and a 600-meter depth rating that is more than you’ll ever need. The Seamaster Planet Ocean Co-Axial Chronograph’s starting price is $8,450.

•  Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe Chronographe Flyback

The Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe Chronographe Flyback’s most astonishing feature is not its extremely long and French name, nor its 300-meter water resistance or its ceramic case. It’s the in-house movement, which, in addition to a vertical clutch, a column-wheel, and a flyback function, ticks at a blistering 36,000 BPH, a novelty and rarity in watches generally, much lesser in chronographs. The Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe Chronographe Flyback price is $17,200.

•  Junghans Max Bill Chronoscope

The Chronoscope, an outgrowth of the stunningly simple Junghans Max Bill, uses the exact initial sleek, pared-down charm bestowed on the normal Max Bill by its eponymous founder. The bezel is extremely narrow, and the sub-dials are simply tiny dashes, resulting in a balanced, simple dial perfect as a dress watch for formal or casual events. The Max Bill Chronoscope price is $1,650.

•  Breitling Superocean Héritage II Chronograph

Breitling introduced their first diver, the Superocean, in 1957. It was not only one of the earliest diving watches created, but it was also among the first to feature a chronograph feature and the first-known “reverse-panda” color palette. Breitling’s new Superocean edition has the same high-contrast appearance and the product’s in-house, column-wheel chronograph. The Superocean Héritage II Chronograph has a starting price of $7,665.

• Oris Aquis Chronograph

Things don’t get much tougher than Oris’ Aquis Chronograph, which has a 500-meter depth rating and measures 45.5 mm in diameter. The large case is embellished with a black rotating bezel and houses a Sellita SW500, which is about a Valjoux 7750. The lovely black-to-blue gradient dial is a thoughtful detail that elevates an already bulky wristwatch. The price of Oris Aquis Chronograph is $3,700.

• Doxa Sub 200 T.Graph

A Doxa dive watch is recognizable and noticeable, thanks to its brilliant orange color. There’s also the distinguishing bezel and the unmistakable size. The Sub 200 T.Graph recreates a model that must have looked enormous when it was released in 1969, retaining the barrel-shaped case and original 43 mm width. The rice bead bracelet contributes to the retro vibe. It’s driven by a new-old-stock manually-wound Valjoux 7734 movement, which looks and feels a little more remarkable and one-of-a-kind. The price of this Doxa Sub 200 T.Graph is $4,900.

•  Bulgari Octo Velocissimo Ultranero Chronograph

This Bulgari Octo Velocissimo achieves a remarkable mix of the muscular, athletic style, and forceful discipline with its octagonal case, which is dressed up to sparkle owing to a deep black dial, polished and applied indexes, and a total of over 100 facets. Bulgari’s Octo line includes numerous varieties, ranging from an all-steel model to an even more mature edition with an 18k gold bezel, hands, and indices, and black DLC casing. The steel-cased variant with the black leather bracelet costs $9,900.

•  A Lange & Söhne 1815 Chronograph

It would be difficult to compile such a list without mentioning the A. Lange & Söhne 1815 Chronograph. Lange, one of Germany’s greatest watch brands, was never into huge watches, even the iconic experimental Lange 31 that was 46 mm wide. The 1815 is as traditional as they come, with its inconspicuous, rectangular pushers, thin lugs, and sleek white gold case. Today’s chronographs are often overly big for being large, but at 39.5 mm, this timepiece is perfectly designed to complement its restrained wrist appearance. With a price tag of $59,681, it won’t be on everyone’s wrist.

• Cartier Rotonde Chronograph

Cartier and sophisticated refinement are a pairing forged in paradise. Cartier excelled in creating a wristwatch that fully symbolizes the brand’s superb workmanship and traditional elegance with this Rotonde de Cartier Chronograph ref CRWSRO0002. Some may complain that the dial is too crowded, yet the big hands and hallmark Cartier Roman numerals all contribute to above-average readability. The Rotonde de Cartier Chronograph, retailing at $9,050, is a real masterpiece albeit not the most affordable.

• Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Chronograph

This watch is on the shortlist for a myriad of factors, the first of which is its capacity to fit in or stand out relying on your outfit. The AP “grande tapisserie” dial comes in a variety of colors and is combined with either 18k gold case or stainless steel versions. The Royal Oak’s iconic avant-garde styling lends itself well to a dressier attitude, and the gorgeous link band provides for an ideal mix. The one in gold costs $38,500.

• Patek Philippe 5170R-010

The dial configuration of the Patek Philippe 5170R-010 is comparable to that of the Cartier watches yet the 5170R is an immensely distinct watch. Its amply sized, 39.4 mm-wide rose gold case, attached Breguet numerals, and dauphine hands all contribute to a stronger, yet more elegant appearance. All of this grandeur and the Patek brand come at a price, the Patek Philippe 5170R-010 costs $81,000.

In A Nutshell

A chronograph may look just as well in a tuxedo, t-shirt, and jeans, or in the ocean with scuba gear, water inflatables, or kayaks, whether it has a sleeker, uncomplicated dial, or a gold case. Whatever timepiece you decide to get, you can buy it at The Watch Company! This website is the best place to get authentic wristwatches without breaking the bank.