People have long been trying to streamline their time. But, oddly enough, what is a chronograph in a watch, not everyone knows. Watchmakers invented it not so long ago. Many do not even know how to use it and do not know how it came about.
A bit of history
Only in 1821 did the first device appear, which made it possible to detect time. He was introduced by Nicholas-Mathieu Ryösak. It was invented in order to time the races. At the tip of the hand, which counted the seconds, was an inkwell. When the mechanism stopped, the needle touched the dial, thereby leaving a speck on it. Previously, they also tried to create a device that would help measure time intervals, but it did not at all look like a chronograph. Georg Graham, a watchmaker from England, was the first to introduce watches with such capabilities. So it was thanks to him that we learned what a chronograph is in a watch. After that, mechanisms appeared, the second hand of which had an independent wheel system, just once every second it made a leap. Quartz watches work in a similar way today . And the first to describe such a mechanism was Jean Muise Pouzé, a Geneva watchmaker, in 1776.
Some interesting facts
First you need to identify how a chronograph differs from a watch. In fact, this is the same watch that has the ability to fix a certain period of time. The operation of the hand mechanism is completely unrelated to the chronograph. They need buttons to operate. There are devices with one, two and three buttons. The first ones are not convenient enough, because start, reset and stop are carried out with one button.
Such models cannot be started after a stop. Then a device with two buttons comes to the rescue. After stopping, the second hand can start.
Varieties of Chronographs
After we find out what a chronograph is in a watch, you need to find out what they are. There are simple models with one or two buttons. Using them, you can measure one period of time or several consecutive ones at once. Split is a more complex device. It has two second hands, which are located in the middle of the dial, one above the other. Such a chronograph allows you to measure the duration of various events that started at the same time, and ended at different times. Such devices are equipped with three buttons. Fly-back is used to take measurements that have zero gaps between values. Moreover, a new measurement can be started by clicking on one button.
Scope of application
Such devices are widely used. It is very important to know how to use the chronograph on a watch. For convenience, different scales are applied to it. The main one is used to make reading more convenient. Often it is divided into fractions of a second. Today, there are such models that can measure 1/10 of a second. This is Zenith El Primero. This chronograph is unique. Its balance is 36,000 vibrations in one second. With such a device, a very clear measurement can be made.
Varieties by scale type
- Having found out what a chronograph is in a watch, it should be noted that the devices differ from each other in the type of scales.
- The simplest has a conventional scale for measuring the period of time.
- A tachometer is needed to determine how fast the object is moving. Moreover, the distance can be measured not only in meters, but also in miles.
- A telemeter helps you measure distance by sound. So, for example, you can determine how much time has passed since lightning to thunder.
- With a heart rate monitor, you can measure your heart rate. The scale can be divided into several indicators, the more there are, the more accurate the readings.
- An astmometer is used to measure respiratory rate. Using this device, you can find out how many times a person inhaled and exhaled in one second.
- Chronograph for controlling production processes. Its scale is similar to the tachymeter, however, in this case, the numbers indicate the number of operations or products that were performed within an hour. The arrow indicates how many operations have been completed in this time span.
- A device for recording tides. Here you need to know how to set the chronograph on the watch so that it accurately reports the time when the tide will come in the area.
- A device that helps determine the direction and navigate the sun.
- A chronograph that has a logarithmic scale.
- A sophisticated device that includes various scales.
There are models in which the color indicates an interval of three minutes to control a telephone conversation. Some are able to determine the parking time or duration of a football match. Quartz models even emit a signal when time is up. In a word, everyone can choose for himself such a device that he needs.