Top 10 Chronographs Under $10,000

Can you read this paragraph in 30 seconds?

Imagine you have to build a list of the best chronos, and you're on a budget. Chronographs can sell for over $10,000 or even $1,000,000, especially in the world of Rolex and Patek Philippe, but we're prioritizing value to save you time and money. You know the icons on this list, but watch until the end to see some watches you didn't know existed.

0:00 The 30 Second Test
0:36 Wrist Check
1:09 Best Dress Chronograph
3:24 Best Seiko Chronograph
4:32 Best Automatic Chronograph
6:47 Best Chronograph for Smaller Wrists
8:22 Best Vintage Chronograph
10:37 Best Oddball Chronograph
11:57 Best Pilot Chronograph
14:10 Best Chronograph Under $1,000
15:19 Best Chronograph Under $5,000
16:48 Best Chronograph Under $10,000

#chronographwatch #breitlingwatch #affordablewatches #seiko #tudorwatch #zenithwatches #tagheuerwatch #omegaspeedmaster #omegawatches #omega #chrono24

[luxurywatchinvestment]

This is a well-structured and genuinely informative breakdown of chronographs across a wide spectrum of styles and budgets. I appreciate the balance between iconic pieces and hidden gems especially the inclusion of options under $1, 000, which often get overlooked in enthusiast circles. It’s clear a lot of care went into curating this list not just for prestige, but for real-world value and wearability. Great to see a video that respects both seasoned collectors and newer watch fans alike.

[DP-hx]

Just found this video as I am looking for a chronograph under 10k. Excellent video. Well done. 👍

[adamadel]

I recently purchased a Breguet Type XX 3820 18K Rose Gold White Dial 39mm for 8K love it

[aneeshwagle]

In addition to the heuer reissues, you can also add the heuer 160 years silver limited edition. Managed to snag one earlier this year, and it is perfection personified 👌🏻

[adiwanam]

Great vid! These are all solid selections on its own already. I'd throw in a few more to complicate things further:
- Nivada Grenchen Chronomaster
- Lebois & Co Heritage Chronograph
- Any Sinn Pilot Chronograph
- Maen Skymaster 38

[gambino]

Great job team. These have quickly become my favourite watch YouTube videos - enjoyable and informative!

[HRM.H]

The Chopard St. Moritz chronograph is a very cool option in my opinion. Has a very thin case because it uses the Frederic Piguet 1185. Same calibre is found in many watches double its price.

[markikn]

Woohoo, the Bullhead got a mention. Bless you Tom, though my cherished 1973 Bullhead cost a lot less than the one you showed. Lovely lovely vintage piece (and wears less chunky than it looks)

[yvelf]

Another excellent vid Thomas!
these are very much accessible watches (almost all of them...)

[dukes]

For TAG Heuer vintage chronographs you also have Monza and Targa Florio, both good for smaller wrists too

[gabigolz]

Always appreciate your perspective and you’re knowledgeable in the vintage space is always insightful 🙏

[toneswinger]

Omega has a bullhead chronograph from 1969 and heritage model from a few years ago.
My favourite is the Speedmaster Racing and the 57

[HRM.H]

Eberhard also has a bunch of incredible mechanical chronographs around 1000 usd. I personally bought a eberhard quadrangolo chrono of your site, uses a manualwind lemania 1872 movement.

[ArtofMark]

Should’ve mentioned the citizen Bullhead chronograph you can get those for under 1000 with a flyback function.

[ArtofMark]

One cool fun fact about the 6139 movement is that the second wheel is in constant motion so it’s actually better to run the movement constantly where as Swiss movements it’s better to leave them stopped. The 6139 is a stopwatch that also tells the time essentially.

[syktgrei.elegada]

My favourite, after a couple of years of searching, is the late 1990s Zenith El Primero 02.0500.400. 38mm, 12.2mm automatic (!), 100m, column wheel, and strikes the perfect balance (imo) between dressy and sporty. Just got mine through Chrono24.

[InGratitudeIam]

I think the Speedmaster Professional is iconic, hackneyed and trite. Still, it's a beautiful watch. The Bulova Lunar Pilot, especially the smaller, newer variant with opaline dial and blue sub-dials is pretty compelling, and accurate. The term "hackneyed" doesn't even come to mind when thinking of this watch. :)

[brockadcock]

The next watch on my list is going to be the Seiko Solar Speedtimer panda dial. I can't help but to drool every time I see that watch.
I learn so much when I watch Thomas's videos.

[pi]

I’d throw in two more dress chronographs:
- CARL F. BUCHERER Heritage BiCompax Annual 41mm
- Union Glashütte Belisar Chronograph Mondphase

[itsacookie]

Everyone loves chronographs until its time to service them.