11 Best Chronograph Watches Under $10,000

The $5,000 to $10,000 range is actually quite difficult territory to navigate in the watch world: this is where the quality of the timepieces really starts to improve drastically, especially as you approach the 5 figures. For many, this is probably the upper price limit for a watch they would wear everyday (let’s face it, you’re spending some serious money at this point). Thankfully, this price range is also where you can find some of the best chronographs: the quality is superb, the finishing is really worthy of that pricetag, but you won’t be afraid to wear the watches out and about. We’ve compiled this guide to help you find the perfect chronograph for you. Let’s jump straight in with an absolute classic…

Omega Speedmaster First Omega in Space (FOIS)

Price: $7,900 USD; Material: Stainless Steel; Diameter: 39.7mm; Lug-to-Lug: 48mm; Water Resistance: 50m; Movement: Manual; Crystal: Sapphire.

It would be criminal to start this guide with any watch other than an Omega Speedmaster, and luckily for us, Omega have released a brand new iteration. The 'First Omega in Space' (or FOIS) Speedmaster pays tribute to the 1962 watch that accompanied the astronauts of the Mercury programme. This is a fabulous combination of retro-elements, like the handset or case size, and modern tech, like the co-axial movement. This sharp Speedmaster lives up its dsitinguished history. It is available to purchase for $7,900 USD in stores.

Breitling Navitimer B01 Chronograph 41

Price: $9,850 USD; Material: Stainless Steel; Diameter: 41mm; Lug-to-Lug: 47mm; Water Resistance: 30m; Movement: Automatic; Crystal: Sapphire.

When talking about historic aviators chronographs, it's also tricky not mention the Breitling Navitimer. Initially, this design started out combining two pilot's tools, the chronograph and the slide into a practical and wearable watch. Whilst the slide rule may be a little outdated for most wearers, this 41mm Navitimer barely looks different to the original released in 1952. Available in a number of colourful and classic options, we think this traditional black and white does justice to thei watch's past. It retails for $9,850 USD.

Oris Aquis Chronograph

Price: $4,900 USD; Material: Stainless Steel; Diameter: 43.5mm; Lug-to-Lug: 51mm; Water Resistance: 300m; Movement: Automatic; Crystal: Sapphire.

The last thing you wopuld expect to come across in this guide about the best chronographs is probably a dive watch, but the Oris Aquis is such a versatile piece and ticks both of those boxes. This watch is a monster with its tough and resistant case: it would definitely look at home in the marina or at the beach. If you wanted to dress it up a bit, it wouldn't look out of place with a suit: you can take this anywhere. Some enthusiasts strive to get their collection down to just one watch and this might just be the one. If the versatility of the Aquis Chronograph has piqued your interest, you can find out more on Oris' website. It retails for $4,900 USD.

Sinn 140 St ‘Space Chronograph’

Price: $4,900 USD; Material: Stainless Steel; Diameter: 44mm; Lug-to-Lug: 45.5mm; Water Resistance: 100m; Movement: Automatic; Crystal: Sapphire.

Sinn Spezialurhen are potentially one of the stealthiest brands out there and their watches are no different. Functional, clean, and high-performing, Sinn's watches are tools first and foremost. The 140 St Chronograph or 'Space Chronograph', was made to equip the astronauts of the German missions to space in the 1980s and 1990s. Packed full of functions and technologies, such as the dehumidifying case or virtually unscratchable steel coating, this watch is a hardy and trustworthy companion. This unique chronograph can be purchased for $4,900 USD. More information is available on Sinn's website.

Longines Spirit Flyback

Price: $6,500 USD; Material: Stainless Steel and Yellow Gold; Diameter: 42mm; Lug-to-Lug: 49mm; Water Resistance: 100m; Movement: Automatic; Crystal: Sapphire.

Longines have aced 2024 by releasing some real beauties in 2024. Whilst this new Spirit Flyback Chronograph has flown a little under the radar due to the success of the Zulu Time GMT, we think it deserves some love. The two-tone case and chocolate dial may not be everyone's cup of tea, but it is undeniably a stunning but subtle design. The balance between bling and functionailty is really neat, and makes the watch feel like a proper tool. Longines' aviation heritage is ever present in the form of the flyback chronograph function, reminding us that they have are serious experts in the chronograph complication for a while. This Longines Spirit Flyback retails for $6,500 USD.

Tudor Pelagos FXD Chronograph

Price: $5,275 USD; Material: Carbon; Diameter: 43mm; Lug-to-Lug: 52mm; Water Resistance: 100m; Movement: Automatic; Crystal: Sapphire.

Tudor is another brand who have had a fantastic 2024 with some really cool new releases. One of our favourites from their new line up is this special edition Pelagos FXD Chrono made in collaboration with the Tudor Pro Cycling Team, who race at the highest level of the sport. The FXD platform has been super popular and the lightweight carbon case makes it really nice to wear whilst doing high-octane activities. Subtle, stealthy, and sporty is definitely the best way to define this watch. If any of the above has tempted you, it retails for $5,275 USD.

TAG Heuer Carrera Skipper

Price: $6,750 USD; Material: Steel; Diameter: 39mm; Lug-to-Lug: 46mm; Water Resistance: 100m; Movement: Automatic; Crystal: Sapphire.

The TAG Heuer Carrera is one of the brand's most beloved and iconic designs. The 'Skipper' was born out of the many similarities between the needs of high-level sailors and racing drivers: accuracy, precision, and reliablity in the most-challenging of environments. The large sapphire crystal means that this is ultra-legible, a feature that is sometimes overlooked on a chronographs with sporting backgrounds. The distinct orange and teal colourway pays tribute to TAG Heuer's early regatta chronographs. If you want something that's bold, but not too much, this is definitely the watch for you. The 'Skipper' retails for $6,750 USD.

Bell & Ross BR-03 Chrono ‘Patrouille de France’

Price: $6,500 USD; Material: Ceramic; Diameter: 42mm; Lug-to-Lug: 51.5mm: Water Resistance: 100m; Movement: Automatic; Crystal: Sapphire.

In my humble opinion, Bell & Ross go far too unnoticed in the industry today and it feels like tool watch and military watch enhtusiasts overlook them slightly. B&R have some serious pedigree when it comes to making aviators instruments, which is omnipresent throughout their designs. This BR 03-94 Chronograph has been developed in partnership with the Patrouille de France (the French Air Force aerobatics and display team) and it's fabulous. You get tough ceramic case which makes the blue dial look black (which means that you're going to spend hours looking at the watch in the light trying to figure out what colour it actually is), and at 6 o'clock you get the unit badge, which makes just a little bit more special. The BR 03-94 retails for $6,500 USD.

Grand Seiko SBGC201

Price: $8,200 USD; Material: Stainless Steel; Diameter: 43.5mm; Lug-to-Lug: 51.2mm; Water Resistance: 100m; Movement: Automatic; Crystal: Sapphire.

The $5,000-$10,000 range is definitely Grand Seiko territory, so it would not be right to leave one of out our list. Most recently their Tentagraph Chronograph (released in 2023) has been extremely popular, the slightly lesser known SBGC201 is a little bit more in-line with their traditional design language: you can find all the same sporty and comfortable case shapes, gentle tones on the dial, and supremely good finishing everywhere else. Obviously, this chronograph is running a Spring Drive movement, giving it that ultra-smooth and buttery sweep. It retails for $8,200 USD.

Zenith Chronomaster Revival Shadow

Price: $9,800 USD; Material: Titanium; Diameter: 37mm; Lug-to-Lug: 47mm; Water Resistance: 50m; Movement: Automatic; Crystal: Sapphire.

When it comes to chronographs, few brands have as much of a pedigree as Zenith. Responsible for one of the most high-perforamnce movements, the El Primero (which powered the Rolex Daytona for the longest time), you can be assured of Zenith's ultra-high quality. This Chronomaster Revival Shadow is a modern re-release of an obscure Zenith protoype reference from the 1970's. Between the almost completely original design and the micro-blasted titanium case, you can't find much room for improvement: this is the epitome of neo-vintage watch design. Retailing for $9,800 USD, this piece is available in store and online.

Montblanc 1858 Geosphere Chronograph 0 Oxygen 8000 Limited Edition

Price: $10,000 USD; Material: Titanium; Diameter: 44mm; Lug-to-Lug: 52mm; Water Resistance: 100m; Movement: Automatic; Crystal: Sapphire.

Whilst the name of this watch might at seem unnecessarily complicated, it does more than up to it: the Montblanc 1858 Geosphere Chronograph 0 Oxygen the 8000 limited Edition is something of a novelty. Once you've cut through all the technical terms, you're left with a fabulous chronograph watch that has some really interssting features. Starting with the titanium case, this watch is super light and durable- pretty useful if you're going mountaineering for example... Equally, it has been designed in a way that means that there is no oxygen inside the case, which completely eliminates the possibility of fog and oxydisation, making the movement last a lot longer in harsh conditions. To top it all off, you get two rotating hemispheres that indicate where all the peaks above 8000m are situated: pretty cool if you ask me. Sadly, this piece is limited to just 290 pieces, so you might be hard pressed to get your hands on one. It retails for $10,000 USD.

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