Split-Seconds Showstoppers: The Standout Chronographs of Watches and Wonders 2025

Watches and Wonders 2025 once again proved why it’s the pinnacle of the haute horlogerie calendar, delivering a sensational lineup of timepieces that pushed the boundaries of technical mastery, aesthetic innovation, and storytelling. Among the stars of the show were the chronographs — mechanical marvels that not only captured the essence of precision timing but also served as canvases for brands to showcase their latest breakthroughs in design and movement architecture.

Simply put, a chronograph is a complication in horology that integrates a stopwatch function into a wristwatch, enabling independent measurement of elapsed time. Typically, it features a centrally mounted chronograph seconds hand, along with subdials (registers) for tracking elapsed minutes and hours. Operation is controlled via pushers — usually positioned at 2 and 4 o’clock. The upper pusher initiates and halts the chronograph, and the lower pusher resets the counters to zero. The chronograph mechanism often relies on a cam-actuated or column wheel control system, with the latter prized for its precision and smoother operation. Some chronographs also include a flyback or split-seconds (rattrapante) function for more complex timing applications.

GMT India spotted a compelling array of chronographs at the world’s biggest watch gala this year. Here are the standout models.

Grand Seiko The Tentagraph

This 43 mm Brilliant Hard Titanium watch has an octagonal bezel, and two claw-like, hairline-finished pushers at 2 o'clock and 4 o'clock. They span a wider area that includes not only the lugs but also the bezel. On the side, the pushers have been updated to improve the chronograph function’s ease of use. The three-dimensional 30-minute subdial at 9 o'clock, the 12-hour subdial at 6 o'clock, and a running second subdial at 3 o'clock, resembling the sharp claws of a lion, elevate the dial aesthetics. There are dauphine, enlarged hour, minute hands, along with a black-orange tippled central second hand. Powering this watch is Calibre 9SC5 with a 72-hour power reserve. Turning the watch showcases the titanium skeleton caseback with an oscillating weight.

IWC Pilot’s Watch Performance Chronograph Perpetual Calendar Digital Date-Month

The watch's case, pushers, crown, and bracelet sport an all-black design execution in Ceratanium®. The bezel is made of polished black ceramic and features a tachymeter scale. In combination with the chronograph, it lets the wearer determine the average speed over a reference distance of one kilometre. The black dial with a hammered effect is manufactured through a complex process, and represents a masterpiece of craftsmanship and finishing. Powering this watch is the IWC-manufactured 89802 calibre, a high-end mechanical movement assembled from 474 individual components. The movement also drives a chronograph function. The stopped hours and minutes are displayed combined in a totaliser at 12 o’clock. A highly efficient double-pawl winding system builds up a power reserve of 68 hours in the mainspring. 

Montblanc Star Legacy Nicolas Rieussec Chronograph

This 43 mm stainless steel model has a stainless steel monopusher chronograph at 8 o’clock and an onion crown at 3 o’clock, complementing a green dial with a Clous de Paris pattern; white rhodium-coated dauphine hour and minute hands with blue luminescence; a rhodium-coated dual time skeletonised hand; two rotating domed discs; 60-second and 30-minute counters, on which a rhodium-coated applied bridge is used as a hand; and mention of Chronographe Nicolas Rieussec on the flange at 12 o’clock and Académie des Sciences de Paris - 1821 at 6 o’clock. The Montblanc Star Legacy Nicolas Rieussec Chronograph is powered by the self-winding Manufacture monopusher chronograph movement MB R200, delivering a 72-hour power reserve; it is equipped with a column wheel that controls the monopusher mechanism.

TAG Heuer Monaco Split-Seconds Chronograph | F1®

The model comes in a 41 mm white ceramic case, accompanied by fine-brushed polished white ceramic shaped chronograph push-buttons at 2 o’clock and 4 o’clock, a split-seconds push-button protector at 8 o’clock, and a split-seconds push-button with a red lacquered titanium tube at 9 o’clock. The red-tinted translucent dial has a black grained minute chronograph counter; a red lacquered hand at 3 o’clock; a rhodium-plated sandblasted ring permanent second indicator at 6 o’clock; a black grained hour chronograph counter; and a red lacquered hand at 9 o’clock. Powering the watch is the 5 Hz Calibre TH81-00 with a power reserve of 65 hours (chrono off)/55 hours (chrono on). 

Patek Philippe Split-Seconds Chronograph

A flagship model, this split-seconds chronograph puts forth its first version in rose gold, harmonising with a dial in brown grand feu enamel, subsidiary dials, and a tachymeter scale in beige champlevé enamel. This decoration with its unalterable colours is hand-crafted on an 18 ct gold plate. Calibre CHR 29-535 PS combines its traditional architecture (manually wound, column wheel, toothed-wheel horizontal clutch) with seven patented innovations, including one for the reworked split-seconds mechanism that offers a 65-hour power reserve. This new timepiece is worn on an alligator-leather strap in shiny dark chestnut brown, accompanied by a new patented three-prong fold-over clasp.