Chronometer Watches Back to Which Watch?
Chronometers are not to be confused with
chronographs. A chronograph refers to a watch which has an independent
timer for recording elapsed time. A chronometer refers to the movement of
a watch which has exceptional reliability.
A chronometer is a highly accurate movement and has to be tested by the Controle
Officiel Suisse des Chronometres (C.O.S.C). This body will test a watch
for 15 days and nights. Each movement undergoes stringent tests in five
different positions under rapidly changing temperature conditions.
Once the watch has passed the tests, it is issued with a unique identification number. It is also issued with a certificate to confirm the accolade of "Officially Certified Chronometer". When buying a chronometer, it is better to make sure that it comes with the original papers to prove it's authenticity.
Chronometers were usually associated with sea travel. This is due to navigators using GMT and time local time of day to determine their longitude at sea. The chronometer would be set to GMT so would therefore need to be highly accurate an respond under various changes in temperature and atmospheric conditions. If a chronometer was inaccurate, the resultant loss in time could prove disastrous to the sailors, since just a few minutes of time loss could mean a ship is hundreds of miles off course. Many sailors have met untimely ends due to such navigational errors.
The first chronometer to prove itself worthy of navigation was made by Harrison in 1789. His H4 Marine Chronometer was the culmination of a lifetime of work in perfecting a precision timepiece. The most famous watches associated with chronometers are Rolex. However they do not have a great naval history.