Chronographs come in all sorts of shapes, sizes and colors, so it's difficult to make the best choice. What helps is the ability to divide them into subcategories since there are so many different ones. One class of chronographs that always seems to get a lot of attention are the two-register or bicompax chronographs. Loved for its often balanced designs, there are still many styles to explore. From the latest space-inspired Speedmaster DSOTM to an excellent monopusher chronograph from Angelus and everything in between, here's our pick of some of the best dual register chronographs.
Omega Speedmaster Dark Side of the Moon dark red
The latest trio of Dark Side of the Moon dual-register Omega Speedmaster iterations come in a variety of black colorways, with only minimal red or white accents to set them apart. The dark red we had on hand is one of the most understated expressions of the Speedy yet, yet red and gray are used to ensure legibility. The bicompax display is made possible by the hand-wound caliber 9908, which also reduces the height to 13.02 mm. The elegant, all-black ceramic Speedmaster DSOTM Dark Red is worn on a black rubber strap with a signed black folding clasp in typical Omega style and is priced at 15,800 euros.
For more information, visit Omega.com.
Quick facts – 44.25mm x 13.02mm – 50mm lug to lug – all black ceramic case, brushed and polished – sapphire crystal front and back – black ceramic crown and pushers – 50m water resistance – grained black ceramic dial – recessed black subdials – black markers and hands – gray and red printed Details – red chronograph second hand – caliber 9908, hand-wound – METAS Master Chronometer certified – 28,800 vibrations per hour – 60 hour power reserve – black rubber strap with folding clasp – 15,800 euros
Tudor Black Bay Chrono Blue
While the Black Bay Chrono Blue isn't one of the highly touted Flamingo Pink or Flamingo Blue models, or even the race-ready Carbon 25, it is, quite frankly, one of the best looking yet. The shade of blue on the dial and bezel gives it a distinct warmth that is very appealing. The dial itself is nice and balanced, with two recessed contrasting sub-dials, a snowflake hand and large luminous markers all around. It also looks fantastic on the Jubilee style bracelet, which features the adjustable T-Fit folding clasp. The Tudor Black Bay Chrono Blue is an exclusive boutique watch and retails 5,720 euros.
For more information, visit TudorWatch.com.
Quick facts – 41 mm x 14.2 mm – Stainless steel case, brushed and polished – Box-shaped sapphire crystal – Solid case back – Fixed tachymeter bezel – Screw-down crown and pushers – 200 m water resistance – Blue sunray dial – Silver-white subdials – Hands and markers with SLN – Caliber MT5813, automatic – Integrated Column wheel chronograph – 28,800 vibrations per hour – 70 hour power reserve – Stainless steel anniversary bracelet, T-Fit folding clasp – Boutique Exclusive – 5,720 euros
IWC Portuguese chronograph
A chronograph with two registers does not necessarily have to be horizontal to look sexy, as the IWC Portuguese Chronograph has always proven. Thanks to its vertically aligned subdials, it stands out from the crowd. The sleek, elegant design is truly iconic and last year's Dune, Obsidian and Horizon Blue editions are some of the best yet. Encased in a stainless steel, rose gold or white gold case, you get the classic mix of running seconds at the bottom and a 30-minute chronograph counter at the top. All are based on IWC's caliber 69355 automatic chronograph movement and come with a leather strap. Prices range from 9,100 euros To 23,000 eurosdepending on the housing material.
For more information, visit IWC.com.
Quick facts – 41 mm x 13.1 mm – Stainless steel or gold case, brushed and polished – Knurled crown with pump-like pushers – Sapphire crystal front and back – 30 m water resistance – Dune, Obsidian or Horizon blue dials – Recessed subdials – Polished applied numerals and hands – Caliber 69355, automatic – 28,800 vibrations per hour – 46 hour power reserve – black alligator leather or gradient blue leather straps from Santoni with pin buckle or folding clasp – 9,100 euros To 23,000 euros
Hanhart 415's chronograph
Hanhart delved deep into its rich and storied chronograph archive and resurfaced late last year with the 415 ES Chronograph. The 415 ES is modeled on a watch from the mid-1960s and exudes a charming retro look throughout. The black dial features red, white and yellow markers and gold-colored hands. A nice little touch is the 100 unit scale used in industrial factories to measure time and calculate productivity. Inside is a hand-wound Sellita SW510, which is attached to a leather strap with a pin buckle. There is now also a Pure edition, in which the yellow is replaced by white, as well as the Panda and Reverse Panda editions. Prices start at 2,490 euros.
For more information, visit Hanhart.com.
Quick facts – 39 mm x 13.5 mm – Stainless steel case, brushed and polished – Bi-directional rotating bezel with black insert – Sapphire crystal – Solid case back – 100 m water resistant – Matte black dial with red, yellow and white printing – Recessed sub-dials – Gold-colored hands – Super-LumiNova – Sellita SW510, hand-wound – 28,800 vibrations per hour – >58 hour power reserve – Leather strap with pin buckle (multiple colors) – 2,490 euros
TAG Heuer Monaco Chronograph Gulf White Edition
No list of dual register chronographs is complete without the TAG Heuer Monaco. For this review, we chose the Gulf White Edition, which uses the Gulf Oil company's famous orange and blue and combines it with a simple white dial and a white textile strap with folding clasp. The Monaco is a true icon of watchmaking, and this one impresses with the unmistakable arrangement of the crown on the left and the pushers on the right. The rounded square subdials are finished in black, and you also get a black and orange handset. This copy is limited to 971 copies and will captivate you CHF 9,500for which you also receive a perforated blue leather strap.
For more information, visit TAGHeuer.com.
Quick facts – 39 mm x 39 mm x 14.35 mm – Sandblasted grade 2 titanium case – Sapphire crystal front and back – Left crown, right pusher – 100 m water resistant – White dial with black subdials and Gulf Oil stripes – Black markers and hands, orange chronograph seconds hand – Caliber 11, more modular automatic chronograph – 28,800 vibrations per hour – 42 hour power reserve – white textile and perforated blue leather straps with folding clasp – 971 pieces – CHF 9,500
Angelus Chronograph Telemeter
For us, the Chronographe Télémètre from Angelus is one of the most beautiful two-register chronographs of recent years. The compact 37mm x 9.25mm steel or yellow gold case houses stunning grained dials. The snail-shaped subdials, applied markers, syringe-style hands and telemeter scale further enhance the character. And of course, the THA-based hand-wound monopusher chronograph from La Joux-Perret is a dream! With numerous details and refinements, it catches your eye through the case back. The watch comes on a calfskin strap with a pin buckle that matches the case and is limited to 15 or 25 pieces depending on the material and cost CHF 17,900 in steel or 32,300 CHF in gold.
For more information, visit Angelus-Watches.com.
Quick facts – 37 mm x 9.25 mm – Steel or yellow gold case, brushed and polished – Sapphire crystal front and back – Crown with integrated monopusher – 30 m water resistance – White nickel, rose bronze or gray titanium dials – Grained – Syringe-style hands with SLN – Recessed and snail-shaped subdials – Caliber A5000, hand-wound monopusher chronograph, 21,600 v/h – 42h power reserve – calfskin strap with pin buckle – limited to 15 or 25 pieces each – CHF 17,900 or 32,300 CHF
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