Sooner or later, most watch brands produce a chronograph. It’s almost inescapable.
Complicated, functional, and ornate, chronograph watches are casual staples.
With so many amazing options out there, it’s hard to know which to choose.
Are you looking for a new stellar chronograph watch that’s as stunning as it is affordable? Well, start your timers, because you’re going to see why our favorite chronograph timepieces might just become your favorites, too.
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The 5 Best Chronograph Watches for Men Under $300
1. Nordgreen Pioneer
What We Like
The Nordgreen Pioneer is the perfect blend of Scandinavian minimalist design and complicated chronograph style watches.
The domed sapphire crystal is scratch proof and warps light in a cool and interesting way.
Nordgreen is committed to the future. They tell that story through their design.
Stunning depth in the dial.
What We Don’t Like
It lacks a few classic hallmarks of the chronograph style like detailed subdials. But then again, Nordgreen is minimalist in nature. We like it because it’s unlike most chronographs.
What Other Reviewers Say
The Pioneer is brand new, so there are only a handful of reviews on it right now (but we did an in-depth review here). Nordgreen as a company has gotten plenty of feedback, though.
Over 275 reviews give Nordgreen an average of 4.7 stars, touting their design, quality, and customer service. Our experience was certainly great and apparently, the public agrees.
The Verdict
It may not have all the bells and whistles of a standard chronograph, but the Pioneer blends beautiful, simple design with a classic, complicated concept.
When we tested the Pioneer for ourselves, we were surprised at how elegant it looks in person. The thoughtfulness of the design really shows when you’re holding it in your hands.
For those who appreciate minimal watch design and are looking to add a piece of history to their collection, the Nordgreen Pioneer is a great way to go.
The Nordgreen Pioneer is an innovative take on the chronograph watch. Built like a classic aviator, but with modern Scandinavian design principles, this timepiece looks natural and elegant—and it pairs well in a casual and smart-casual wardrobe.
2. Vincero Chrono S
What We Like
Vincero is known for its cold-edged masculine style, and the Chrono S is another extension of that look.
This timepiece has a unique setup for its subdials, featuring them at 6, 9, and 12’oclock. We first got our hands on a Chrono S over a year ago and we really liked the silver case and white dial. But if that’s not your style, no problem.
Vincero has a huge variety of case and dial colors you can choose from.
What We Don’t Like
The band was a bit stiff out of the box and the lume could’ve been stronger.
What Other Reviewers Say
There’s no typo in the following sentence.
Vincero has a 4.8 star average with over 18k reviews.
There are few other watch brands who can say the same.
The Verdict
If you can get behind Vincero’s hard-edged masculine attitude, the Chrono S is a bold and beautiful watch. It’s not quite as sturdy as the Nordgreen Pioneer or the Jack Mason Halyard Sport, but it holds up well to everyday wear.
Despite a few minor feature gripes, in terms of build quality and beauty of design, Vincero's Chrono S is excellent value for money at this price point.
3. Citizen Avion EcoDrive
What We Like
What We Don’t Like
What Other Reviewers Say
The Verdict
Decked out with Citizen's classic eco-drive series of movement, this watch never needs its battery changed. Beyond that, it's a workhorse and a great casual tool watch for everyday wear.
4. Seiko Prospex Diver
What We Like
What We Don’t Like
What Other Reviewers Say
The Verdict
The Seiko Prospex is a beast of a watch---with 200m of water resistance, it's a true dive watch. With a Seiko solar-quartz engine, you can expect this timepiece to keep ticking for decades.
5. Tissot Carson Chronograph
What We Like
We love the Tissot Carson old-school design.
They back all that fashion up with a Swiss automatic ETA movement.
Sapphire crystal adds lots of scratch resistance.
What We Don’t Like
It’s a personal preference, but the bracelet that comes in our featured model is a little too complicated for our taste.
What Other Reviewers Say
Tissot has earned a reputation as a true budget Swiss luxury brand. Sound like an oxymoron? Not when you consider the brand’s Swiss ETA automatic movements and high quality materials like sapphire glass.
The Verdict
There aren’t many automatic Swiss chronographs on the market under $1000, let alone under $500. The Tissot Carson is an excellent entry point into the world of fine watch collecting.
Tissot has earned a reputation as the go-to budget Swiss luxury brand. And we're not talking about "luxury" in quotation marks. We're talking about luxury a la Rolex and Omega. The Carson runs on a Swiss ETA automatic movement with a beautiful butterfly bracelet and sapphire glass.
What Are Chronograph Watches?
To break it down as simply as possible, a chronograph is a timepiece that uses subdials to measure more than just the hour and minute.
Chronographs will either have two or three subdials, depending on which complications the watchmaker chooses to include.
The style came from the original aviation watches used by pilots to measure distance traveled and judge their fuel consumption.
When Americans saw their beloved Charles Lindbergh flying across the states with this complicated timepiece, these watches became overwhelmingly popular.
They’ve never gone out of style, but over time have become less for function and more fashion-forward.
While there’s a ton of variation in chronograph styles, there are a few key features that are distinctive to all chronographs:
1. The Sub-Dials
If it doesn’t have subdials, it’s not a chronograph. Beyond their timekeeping functionality, these add visual depth to the watch and can be as complicated or simple as the designer chooses.
2. A Way to Adjust the Subdials
Most chronographs have two pushers at two and four o’clock which can start and reset your timer. The timer is measured by subdials, though there’s no set standard for what these dials should read.
There are the rare chronographs that don’t feature two-button pushers, and we’ve featured one in our list if you love the subdial look but you want to keep the crown simple.
3. More Features than Just Telling the Time of Day
Do you know what all those subdials and pushers are for?
Whether the subdials just measure seconds and minutes, or seconds, minutes, and hours, your chronograph should do more than simply tell the time of day.
Not all chronographs can act as stopwatches, though. Some swap out second-reading subdials to record the day of the week. There are hundreds of different complications watchmakers add to their chronographs. Just make sure you’re getting the style you like with the function you need.
3 Things to Consider When Buying a Chronograph Watch
Size
Chronograph watches tend to be larger. It’s rare to find a chronograph watch these days under 40mm.
These timepieces need to fit complicated movements and still stay readable. If watchmakers tried to squeeze all that information on a 38 or 36mm dial, you wouldn’t be able to read a thing. Some watches are so complicated, they’re still hard to read even with an oversized dial.
If you’re not sure what size watch you prefer, take a look at your wrist size. If you have average-sized wrists, 38-42mm is your sweet-spot. You can venture into 44mm territory no problem, but the watch will look noticeably large on your wrist—sometimes that’s exactly what you want.
If you’ve got a smaller wrist, 36-40mm is the way to go, and for that reason, you should double-check to see that your chronograph comes in a 40mm case size.
How Complicated Do You Want It?
I’m a big fan of the complicated and busy styles of some chronographs. But recently, I’ve come across some minimalist designs that have changed the way I think about the style.
With the thousands of brands out there, you can have it any way you want.
Functionality
If you need to use your watch for a specific function, that should make a huge difference in the type you go for. Back in the day, pilots needed to use their chronos to calculate their fuel consumption. If their watch was bogus their lives were at risk.
Maybe you’re not putting your life on the line, but if you need a precise chronograph, make sure you go with a trusted brand.
Similarly, picking a watch with outrageous detail might not be the best fashion choice, while picking a minimalist masterpiece might not have all the markings you need from a functionality standpoint.
Tips for Wearing Chronograph Watches
A Casual Stunner
Chronographs are casual watches. They’re often too complicated for formal wear, and you’re better off sticking with something simple, sleek, and shiny.
They’re best used as standout pieces in a casual wardrobe. I love to pair a chrono with a denim or leather jacket, jeans, and boots. Any sort of look where you’re going more rugged—the chrono will look great.
Small Wrists?
Do you have small wrists?
Chronographs are hard to find under 40mm. There’s just too much going on under the hood to gracefully fit everything in a smaller dial.
That being said, you can still get away wearing a 42mm watch, but that should be the largest you go. Even then, the watch will look oversized, but there are a time and place for oversized watches.
Is It Time Yet?
A chronograph won’t help you run faster, but it’ll definitely give you style points. Especially if you pick up one of our top recommendations.
If you don’t already have one, a chrono is one of the best ways to nail the smart casual style. They’re ornate and elegant, but ultimately have the masculine profile of a sports timepiece.
With this list, you’re sure to find a look that fits your wardrobe. Heck, you may even find a couple.
Unlock timeless elegance in your casual look with a great chronograph watch.
FAQs
What is the difference between cheap and expensive watches?
A few dead giveaways are the origin of the movement and the quality of the crystal. Look for sapphire or sapphire coated glass, and a movement made in Japan or Switzerland. Watches with sapphire crystals and Swiss or Japanese movements aren’t necessarily expensive, but they’re typically more reliable.
Is it worth it to buy an expensive watch?
If you have discretionary spending money, an expensive watch is a satisfying purchase. Men don’t typically wear much jewelry other than their timepiece. Your watch communicates a lot about your taste and sophistication, and because they last for decades and you can wear the same watch day after day, they’re worth the money.
Which is better: Seiko or Tissot?
It depends on what you’re looking for. If you want precision and performance, we recommend Seiko. If you want more old-school European style, or you want to dip your toes into the world of Swiss movements, Tissot has more dressy options.
