What is a chronograph watch, and how do you use one?

A chronograph is a watch with a built-in stopwatch. You press the top pusher (at 2 o'clock) to start and stop timing and the bottom pusher (at 4 o'clock) to reset to zero. The big center seconds hand counts seconds, and small subdials count the minutes and hours elapsed, while the main hands keep telling the time.

What it is	A watch with a stopwatch
Top pusher (2 o'clock)	Start / stop
Bottom pusher (4 o'clock)	Reset to zero
Subdials	Running seconds, elapsed minutes, elapsed hours
Name means	Greek: "time writer"
Famous examples	Speedmaster, Daytona, Carrera, Navitimer

The parts of a chronograph

Crown (3 o'clock): sets the time, and winds the watch if it is mechanical.
Top pusher (2 o'clock): starts and stops the chronograph.
Bottom pusher (4 o'clock): resets the chronograph to zero (only when stopped).
Center chronograph seconds hand: stays at 12 until you start timing.
Subdials: usually a running seconds subdial (the watch's normal seconds, always moving), a 30-minute counter and often a 12-hour counter. Which subdial is which varies by model, so check one by watching what moves when you start the chronograph.
Tachymeter bezel on many models, for measuring speed. See how to use a tachymeter.

How to use a chronograph, step by step

Make sure the chronograph hands are at zero.
Press the top pusher to start. The center seconds hand sweeps; the minute counter advances once a minute.
Press the top pusher again to stop, and read the time: hours and minutes from the counters, seconds from the center hand.
Press the top pusher again to resume timing from where it stopped (to add up laps), or press the bottom pusher to reset to zero.

Never press the reset pusher while the chronograph is running on a mechanical watch unless it is a flyback (see below); it is not designed for it. Need a timer right now? Use our online stopwatch.

How to reset a chronograph hand that isn't at zero

If the chronograph hand stops at, say, 2 seconds instead of 12 after a reset, usually after a battery change or a knock, a quartz chronograph can be adjusted:

Pull the crown out to the time-setting position (usually the second click).
Press the top or bottom pusher to step the chronograph seconds hand until it points exactly to 12. On many models, holding the pusher moves it quickly.
On some models, pull the crown to the first click to select and adjust the minute or hour counter the same way.
Push the crown back in.

Procedures differ by movement, so check your manual; the model number is usually on the caseback. A mechanical chronograph that won't reset to zero needs a watchmaker.

Types of chronograph

Monopusher: one button that starts, stops and resets in sequence.
Flyback: pressing reset while running instantly zeroes and restarts the timer, useful for pilots timing legs of a flight.
Split-seconds (rattrapante): two stacked seconds hands to time two events that start together, like two runners.
Automatic chronographs: first launched in 1969 by Zenith (El Primero), a Heuer-Breitling-Hamilton group (Calibre 11) and Seiko.

Chronograph vs chronometer

A chronograph has a stopwatch. A chronometer is certified to be accurate. Some watches, like the Rolex Daytona, are both. Famous chronographs include the Omega Speedmaster, TAG Heuer Carrera and Rolex Daytona.

Questions people ask

What is a chronograph watch?

A watch with a built-in stopwatch, operated by pushers on the side of the case.

What does chronograph mean?

From Greek chronos (time) and graph (writing): a "time writer".

How do you use a chronograph?

Press the top pusher to start and stop; press the bottom pusher to reset to zero.

Should I leave the chronograph running?

On a modern mechanical chronograph it's generally fine, though it uses a little more power. On a quartz chronograph, leaving it running drains the battery faster.

Why does my chronograph hand not return to 12?

On a quartz watch it usually needs re-aligning after a battery change or knock: pull out the crown and use the pushers to move it back to 12. Mechanical ones need a watchmaker.

Sources

Last updated October 18, 2026. Prices are auction hammer-plus-premium results or published list prices as reported by the sources below; retail prices change, so check an authorized dealer before buying. Brand and model names belong to their owners and are used here only to identify the watches; onlineclock.app is not affiliated with any watch brand. Found an error? Tell us.