There are many different ways one can create a collection of watches. Some individuals like to create a collection with a significant piece with various complications or functions. An example is having a dress watch, dive watch, and chronograph. But some people like to collect watches with a specific complication or function. The chronograph is an extremely popular complication. It may be one of the most useful, along with the date function, as a stop-watch can be applied to multiple different activities - from cooking all the way to timing football match halves.

We decided to put together a five piece collection around chronographs. We have an entry level, mid range, and high end chronograph, an independent watch companies chronograph and a vintage piece. This covers many of the bases for collecting but also gives you some variability in what you can wear!

The first piece is our entry level piece and we went with the Tissot PRC 200 Automatic Chronograph. Not only is this watch from a very well establish Swiss company, it also is a good entry into watches. It is fairly large at 43mm but is very legible with large numbers on the dial. It also has a date function so you get that added benefit. It comes on a rubber strap and has a 200m water resitance so you don’t have to really worry about water damage. Running on the ETA C01.211 movement, its a good place to start with a very robust movement.

The mid-range piece we chose was the Omega Speedmaster Professional. It is hailed as one of the best watches every created and is extremely well respected within the collector community. There is not much to say that has not already been said about the Omega Speedmaster. It is a classic, extremely wearable and has a beautiful dial. Find a reference that works for you and you will be golden for years.

The high end watch we went with was the Vacheron Constantin Overseas Chronograph. The Overseas collection received a face-lift recently and we think it was very well done. The new shape to the case assists it in being more wearable. It also is the less worn out when compared to the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak or Patek Philippe Nautilus. The chronograph is 42.5mm in diameter and has various dial colours - white, blue, brown and black - which allows for you to be more selective for your personal taste. It is different and gives you a taste of a Holy Trinity watches without following the masses.

Our independent chronograph is the De Bethune DB28 Maxichrono. De Bethune has begun to receive the credit it deserves for the insane quality it makes. We are a huge proponent of independent watch companies so it excites us when a brand does well. This watch has a white dial with blue numbers that really stand out quite well. It is a mono-pusher chronograph with the chronograph ring on the outside of the dial. In typical De Bethune style, the watch has a case that looks like a futuristic spacecraft that is just so unique.

Lastly, the vintage piece we would have is a Universal Geneve Compax with either a 281 or 285 movement. These chronographs are literally the definition of vintage - smaller very wearable in size at 36mm or 38mm with an incredible cream patina dial. You want vintage? This is where you should look.

Enjoy!