Just last week we looked at six very versatile watches 36mm and under, and this week we're revisiting the topic. However, instead of looking at more time and date watches, let's turn to one of the industry's most popular complications: the mighty chronograph! While a chronograph movement requires a little more space and therefore often a larger case due to its complex construction, there are still many more compact options. And luckily, there are some relatively affordable options on the market too! With this in mind, here we present you six chronograph watches with a size of less than 40 mm!
Longines Spirit Flyback Chronograph 39
While Longines' Spirit collection was never lacking in style, it has to be said that some models seemed a bit oversized for comfort reasons. The original Spirit Flyback Chronograph, for example, was 42mm wide and quite tall. However, Longines provided a remedy at the end of last year with the more compact Spirit Flyback Chronograph 39 mm. As the name suggests, the diameter decreases to 39mm while the height drops to 13.4mm. It also works mechanically, as it features the L792.4 caliber, a hand-wound flyback chronograph. It is available with a leather strap or a stainless steel bracelet and retails for price 5,150 euros or 5,400 euros.
For more information, visit Longines.com.
Quick facts – 39.5 mm x 13.4 mm – Brushed and polished steel case – Bi-directional bezel with ceramic insert – Sapphire crystal front and back – 100 m water resistance – Matte black dial – Gold-plated markers and hands with SLN – Caliber L792.4, hand-wound – Column wheel flyback chronograph – COSC certified chronometer – 28,800 vph – 68 hour power reserve – steel bracelet with folding clasp or brown leather strap – 5,150 euros (leather strap) – 5,400 euros (steel bracelet)
Atelier Nossedh AN.01
You don't always need excessive and over-the-top watchmaking to look truly stylish, and the Atelier Nossedh AN.01 is living proof. Measuring just 37mm in diameter and 10.5mm thick, the AN.01 is a classic-style bicompax chronograph available in six colors. The leaf-shaped hands and the applied dots for the hours are polished to create a contrast to the dial. Under the solid caseback, the manually wound Sellita SW510 M delivers a whopping 63 hours of power when fully wound. Fitted with an Epsom leather strap with a steel pin buckle, it is available directly from Atelier Nossedh's website 2,200 euros.
For more information, visit AtelierNossedh.com.
Quick facts – 37 mm x 10.5 mm – Stainless steel case, brushed and polished – Sapphire crystal, solid case back – 50 m water resistance – Black, blue, brown, white, salmon or gold bicompax dial – Sellita SW510 M, hand-wound chronograph – 28,800 vibrations per hour – 63 hour power reserve – Epsom leather strap with pin buckle made of stainless steel – available directly on the brand’s website – 2,200 euros
Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Chronograph 38
This year's new Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Chronograph 38mm also comes with a brand new movement, the Caliber 6401, which replaces the Caliber 2385. This fully integrated manufacture movement can be seen through the back of the 38mm wide steel or rose gold case, also a first for the 38mm Royal Oak. The steel version features a blue dial, while the rose gold version has either a gray or gold dial (the latter featuring a diamond-set bezel). Thanks to the compact 38 mm case, the new 26450 series fits perfectly on the wrist. Of course, it comes with the signature Royal Oak bracelet and prices vary between 34,000 francs To CHF 72,400.
For more information, visit AudemarsPiguet.com.
Quick facts – 38 mm x 11.1 mm – Stainless steel or rose gold case, brushed and polished – Sapphire crystal front and back – Optional diamond-set bezel – 50 m water resistance – Blue, gray or rose gold dial with Grande Tapisserie pattern – Contrasting subdials – Applied markers and hands with SLN – Caliber 6401, in-house automatic Column wheel chronograph – 28,800 vibrations per hour – 55 hour power reserve – integrated bracelet with folding clasp – 34,000 francs (steel) – 66,700 CHF (rose gold) – CHF 72,400 (rose gold and diamonds)
Lebois & Co Heritage Chronograph Eggshell
While the Lebois & Co Heritage Chronograph was already a real eye-catcher, this Coquille d'Oeuf is perhaps the best new edition yet. Featuring an eggshell-colored Grand Feu enamel dial, it takes the spirit of the vintage-inspired chronograph to a new level. Its restraint goes well with the pulsometer scale and bicompax layout, which are finished in black. All of this is housed in a 39mm wide steel case with molded pushers and a sturdy knurled crown and is powered by the hand-wound caliber LC-480 (La Joux-Perret). It is worn on a vintage-style leather strap and is limited to 25 pieces per year 9,800 euros.
For more information, visit Lebois.com.
Quick facts – 39 mm x 14.3 mm – Stainless steel case, brushed and polished – Sapphire crystal front and back – Extended pushers – 50 m water resistant – Grand Feu eggshell enamel dial – Bicompax arrangement – Black markers, hands and scales – Caliber LC-450 (La Joux-Perret) – Hand-wound column wheel chronograph – 28,800 vibrations per hour – 60 hour power reserve – vintage style leather strap with pin buckle – limited to 25 pieces per year – 9,800 euros
Zenith Chronomaster Original Blue
As one of the pioneers of chronograph watchmaking, it's no surprise that Zenith is on this list. The Chronomaster Original Blue takes up the style of the El Primero A386 from 1969 and runs with it in a super stylish diameter of 38 mm. The deep blue dial features the typical three-color subdials and a tenths of a second scale. There's even more typical Zenith quality inside, as the fully integrated El Primero 3600 caliber runs at a speed of 36,000 vibrations per hour and enables precise chronograph measurements down to a tenth of a second. The watch comes with a stainless steel bracelet and a second blue leather strap and retails 10,400 euros.
For more information, visit ZenithWatches.com.
Quick facts – 38 mm x 12.9 mm – Stainless steel case, brushed and polished – Sapphire crystal front and back – Pump style pushers – 50 m water resistance – Midnight blue brushed sunray dial – Tri-color subdials – Tenths of a second scale – Markers and hands with SLN – El Primero 3600 caliber, in-house movement – Integrated automatic chronograph – 36,000 Vibrations per hour – 60 hour power reserve – Stainless steel bracelet with secondary blue leather strap – 10,400 euros
Raymond Weil Millésime Chronograph
Raymond Weil's brilliant Millésime collection exudes vintage charm, with the Millésime Chronograph currently leading the range. Available in 39mm wide stainless steel or rose gold PVD coated steel, it enhances the retro look. The black or grey-anthracite dial features contrasting subdials and applied luminous markers and hands. The power comes from the RW5030 caliber, which is essentially a Sellita SW510. It runs at 28,800 vibrations per hour and has a power reserve of 62 hours. In steel, it is available with a leather strap or a steel bracelet, while the rose gold PVD model is only available with leather. Prices range from 3,725 euros To 3,895 euros.
For more information, visit RaymondWeil.com.
Quick facts – 39 mm x 12.9 mm – Brushed and polished stainless steel – Optional rose gold PVD coating – Sapphire crystal front and back – 50 m water resistance – Black or anthracite dial – Contrasting subdial – Applied markers and hands with SLN – Caliber RW5030 (Sellita base) – Automatic cam chronograph – 28,800 vibrations per Hour – 62 hour power reserve – Calf leather or stainless steel bracelet (uncoated version only) – 3,725 euros (leather strap) – 3,850 euros (steel bracelet) – 3,895 euros (Rose gold PVD)
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