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Chronograph + Countdown Bezel?

  1. Dsloan Nov 13, 2019

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    Hey forum, I've realized that the most useful watch for me is a fairly rare combination: one that has both a chronograph function and a countdown bezel.

    My beloved Bulova 666 for example:

    IMG_20191013_160637.jpg

    At work (video producer), I find a countdown bezel is something I actually use. A count up bezel, not so much, as I don't find myself diving very often. Or ever. But, the countdown bezel lets me know when to circle back to my crew to hand off memory cards, or allows me to put a time limit on finishing up a scene that we're filming. And if I do need to count up or time a second thing simultaneously, then I can use the chronograph.

    It's fun to have my watch do something at work other than just look pretty. So, my question is: what other makes and models combine these two functions?

    I know that Sinn has a few options:

    Screenshot_20191110-102204~2.png

    A few Breitling models also fit the bill:

    Screenshot_20191110-102633~2.png
    Screenshot_20191111-213616~2.png
    And I suppose an Autavia or Tudor Heritage Chronograph could do the trick, although they don't have a true countdown bezel (if there were any Autavias with a countdown bezel, I think that would be just about the perfect watch for me, as I find the proportions and layout really gorgeous):

    Screenshot_20191110-102343~2.png

    Anyone know other watches that combine these two functions?
     
    sonicosa likes this.
  2. Braindrain Nov 13, 2019

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    The vintage Type 20/21 had these....

    Airain-Type20-chronojpg.jpg
     
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  3. zrleopold Nov 13, 2019

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    Blancpain has a couple variants of this one!
    upload_2019-11-13_20-41-45.jpeg

    Ignore me. This isn't a countdown bezel ::facepalm1::
     
  4. speedmistr Nov 13, 2019

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    Two of my favs in this category. The Sea Sky I own. The Super Graph I have to covet still.

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
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  5. Dsloan Nov 13, 2019

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    Haha, still a great watch though.
     
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  6. Dsloan Nov 13, 2019

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    Those are both really cool. Thanks for sharing! This confirms with my suspicion that there are a fair amount of vintage pieces that might fit the bill.
     
  7. Willbur Nov 14, 2019

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    I read somewhere that in the past diving bezel were in countdown to know how many time you can still diving.
    But regarding some design consideration it was switch...
     
  8. DeepBlue Nov 14, 2019

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    Those deepsea chrono's are cool watches. Great example you have!
     
  9. Lancaster Feb 29, 2024

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    There are some fantastic example shown above! Have you managed to pick any up in the last 5 years? I find the count down bezel to be more usable and practical as well. As you must know, there are far fewer count down watches out there than those with other types of bezels. Are we just talking mechanical movement chronos? Here's a couple at the opposite end of the size spectrum, and very different from each other in other aspects as well. 45mm and 38mm. Love how the AR on these Revue Thommens render the crystals virtually invisible. Eminently readable in spite of its size. And being titanium it's practically weightless even on its titanium bracelet. Put it on a NATO and you forget it's there.

    012.jpg
     
    Edited Mar 1, 2024
    Robert M likes this.
  10. hejsam Feb 29, 2024

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  11. spacemission Mar 1, 2024

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    First time that I read this thread.

    Nobody said fortis? :whistling:
     
  12. Lancaster Mar 1, 2024

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    Quite a few not yet shown, but the version of the Fortis Cosmonauts Chronograph with Lemania 5100 movement and count down bezel has been high on my acquisition list. A few years ago a member on another forum offered one and we came to agreement late one night. He agreed to let me settle the payment the next morning. Got up early to take care of that and found that he apparently had a better offer overnight and sold it to that chap. Never did explain himself actually. Still on the hunt for a reasonably priced one with bracelet.
    upload_2024-3-1_5-12-43.jpeg
     
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  13. Lancaster Mar 1, 2024

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    My Muhle Glashutte Seebataillon GMT before I moved it on a couple years ago. Okay, not a chrono, but a gorgeous watch. Another large one at 45mm, but light being titanium.


    upload_2024-3-1_5-46-47.jpeg

    upload_2024-3-1_5-47-35.jpeg

    upload_2024-3-1_5-48-16.jpeg
     
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  14. spacemission Mar 1, 2024

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    The cosmonauts collection was top. I'm looking for two references.
     
  15. Lancaster Mar 18, 2024

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    Damasko also offers most of their chronographs with a count down bezel option.
    upload_2024-3-18_11-54-50.jpeg
    The DC86 below can also be equipped with the same bezel as shown above.

    upload_2024-3-18_11-56-21.jpeg
     
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  16. Lancaster Mar 18, 2024

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    Another example:
    upload_2024-3-18_11-59-15.jpeg
     
  17. Dsloan Mar 18, 2024

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    I forgot I started this thread! I love all the examples that people shared. That Fortis looks great, though I worry a bit about Lemania 5100 servicing / parts long term (I've been eyeing a vintage Sinn 140 or 142 and have the same concerns on those models)

    I did pick up a Sinn 103:

    IMG_20201119_134453-1.jpg

    Currently, I'm trying to track down an EZM 1.1 DS

    SINN_EZM1.1S_K_quer.jpg
     
    Edited Mar 18, 2024
    Scarecrow Boat likes this.
  18. Lancaster Mar 18, 2024

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    Very nice. I have the black 103 myself. I wish they could put the SZ01 movement in something that size, but the EZM 1.1 is 43 mm which is their smallest watch yet with that movement.
     
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  19. Dsloan Mar 18, 2024

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    And it's 16.4mm thick, lol!