There is something about a steel chronograph that just seems to fit the bill as being a quintessential part of any serious watch collection. Be it the iconic Rolex Daytona, the trail-blazing Patek Philippe Nautilus, the pop-culture favourite Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Chronograph or even the dark horse that is Girard-Perregaux Laureato Chronograph. The steel chronograph is a must-have for any collection.
Here are 13 of the best steel chronographs that money can buy.
Patek Philippe 5990/1A Nautilus Travel Time Chronograph
An all-time favourite of mine that settles for second only to the illustrious 5740G, the Patek Philippe 5990/1A Nautilus Travel Time Chronograph is one of the great that pairs a travel time function with a chronograph.
Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Chronograph
Like the Patek Philippe 5990/1A Nautilus Travel Time Chronograph, the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Chronograph has its own air of supremacy, and can easily boast about its status as being one of the best steel chronographs on the market.
Zenith Chronomaster Open
A standing tribute to the excellence of the Zenith manufacture, the Chronomaster Open pairs theatrics with technical brilliance with that 1/10th of a second chronograph.
Vacheron Constantin Overseas Chronograph
Standing toe-to-toe with the likes of the Nautilus, the Royal Oak and even the Daytona is Vacheron Constantin's Overseas Chronograph. The connoisseur's choice.
Rolex Daytona
In almost any variation the illustrious Rolex Daytona is a highly respected machine of modern horology. In its simplest setting with a ceramic bezel and stainless steel case, the Rolex Daytona reigns supreme as one of the most popular watches in the world of the last decade.
Zenith Chronomaster Sport
Like the Zenith Chronomaster Open, the Chronomaster Sport is a reminder to us all that Zenith can, and does, produce some of the finest steel chronographs the world has ever seen, case in point with this little piece of brilliance.
Omega Speedmaster '57
The Omega Speedmaster '57 is a lovely bit of kit that combines the allure of the Speedmaster with the nostalgia of the Speedmaster namesake.
Glashütte Original SeaQ Chronograph
This is one of those pieces you need to see in the metal, because once you do it's going to be tough to not consider the Glashütte Original SeaQ Chronograph as your steel chronograph of choice.
Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch
A living legend, and like the Rolex Daytona, the Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch stands head and shoulders above many steel chronographs. One of the most important mechanical pieces of horology ever made.
Jaeger-LeCoultre Polaris Chronograph
An addition that many may not have thought of as a consideration, the Jaeger-LeCoultre Polaris Chronograph is an emblematic steel chronograph from the watchmakers' watchmaker.
IWC Portugieser Yacht Club Chronograph
Another odd choice, but the IWC Portugieser Yacht Club Chronograph is a fantastic steel chronograph that ticks a lot of boxes.
Breitling Super AVI B04 Chronograph GMT 46 P-51
One of my favourite modern Breitlings, the Super AVI B04 Chronograph GMT 46 P-51 has a whole lot of tech for not that much money. Relatively speaking, of course.
Girard-Perregaux Laureato Chronograph
The dark horse on the list, the Girard-Perregaux Laureato Chronograph is, simply put, one of the best pound-for-pound steel chronographs that money can buy. A must see in the metal, the Girard-Perregaux Laureato Chronograph is just brilliant.
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