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If you’re learning about luxury watches, there are many terms, definitions, and features to understand. It can be a bit intimidating for the uninitiated. One term you may have heard before is ‘flyback chronograph.’
But what is a flyback chronograph watch? How does it work? You can find all the answers in the BQ Glossary. Today’s lesson is flyback chronograph watches. Let’s dive in!
A flyback chronograph watch is a watch that contains a chronograph complication. A complication is simply a mechanical function that the watch performs, in addition to keeping time. Other examples of common complications include day and date displays, such as those found on a Rolex Day-Date.
So, what does a flyback chronograph do? A flyback chronograph is an exceptionally convenient watch complication that allows the user to reset the chronograph without the need to first stop it – a process which is different to that of regular chronographs, whereby the user must first stop the chronograph, then reset it, and start it again in order to time a subsequent event.
This incredibly useful complication combines three steps – stop, reset to zero, and restart – into one seamless action.
Flyback chronographs are a great investment for those looking to purchase a truly superior watch complication. These chronographs are renowned for their accuracy and engineering brilliance, and can be used to record successive time intervals. If you‘re looking for a watch with extra complications and features, a flyback chronograph is sure to delight. These watches are available from many great watchmakers around the world, so there‘s something for every taste and style.
So, how exactly does this complication work?
The magic of how a chronograph complication works lies in how it’s able to track elapsed time, while the watch itself continues to keep regular time. Quite simply, a flyback chronograph allows you to ‘flyback’ to zero.
In a traditional chronograph, one needs to press the start button to pause the chronograph hand, and then press the reset button to bring it back to zero, followed by another press on the start button to start counting time again. On the other hand, when using a flyback chronograph, restarting it from zero is much simpler; one just needs to press the reset button and the chronograph hand will immediately reset and start counting again. This feature is especially beneficial for counting lap timings, largely when it comes to sporting events.
Chronographs, of all types, put simply, act as stopwatches. You can measure seconds, minutes, and hours depending on the sub-dial.
How is a chronograph watch different to a flyback chronograph?
A chronograph is a type of watch that includes a stopwatch function, allowing the user to measure elapsed time with a central seconds hand and typically sub-dials for minutes and hours. A flyback chronograph, however, is a more advanced version of this feature. While a standard chronograph requires three separate actions to stop, reset, and start the timing mechanism, a flyback chronograph allows the user to reset and start the timing hand with a single push of the button, known as the "flyback" function. This capability is especially useful for pilots and professionals who need to perform quick, successive timing operations without losing precious seconds.
Click here to read our article on Chronograph watches.
In a traditional chronograph watch, the sequence of button presses is top (start), top (stop), bottom (reset). By contrast, a flyback chronograph watch has a function that allows you to ‘fly back’ the stop watch hand to zero instantly.
Flyback chronographs are generally designed with the standard crown at 3 o‘clock and 2 push–pieces at 2 and 4 o‘clock. The ‘flyback’ is typically activated by the button at 4 o‘clock, while the push–piece at 2 o‘clock is used for stopping the chronograph. It is important to note, that if you attempt to reset the chronograph without stopping it on a traditional chronograph watch, it could damage the movement.
The advantages of a flyback chronograph complication are quickly evident, as it saves time from having to go through the stop, start, reset step sequence of a regular chronograph watch.
Now that you know what you can expect from a flyback chronograph watch, you may want to add one to your collection. Of course, there are plenty of choices available. Let’s take a look at some popular watch models that have flyback chronographs.
Breguet has a rich history dating back to 1810, making it one of the oldest watchmakers in the world.
The Breguet Type XXII Flyback Chronograph features dual time zone as well as a high frequency automatic movement at 10 Hertz. What sets this chronograph apart is its 30-second/half-minute totalizer at the centre, allowing for measurements up to a 20th of a second when activated. Its red chrono-seconds hand and gold chrono-minutes hand double around the dial to make this a unique timepiece.
This watch is fitted with a flyback chronograph dial, bidirectional rotatable bezel and sapphire crystal glass. The movement is automatic, and the leather strap is fitted with a folding clasp. This watch is a beautiful timepiece for both men and women and is water resistant to 100M.
Rolex is the most popular luxury watch brand in the world – for good reason. Each watch they release is a winner and the Rolex Daytona is no exception.
The Cosmograph Daytona was designed for endurance racing drivers who needed the ultimate timing tool. It features three counters, pushers, and a bezel with a tachymetric scale to measure the average speed over a given distance based on elapsed time.
The Cosmograph Daytona is one of the most iconic and recognizable timepieces from Rolex. It stands out amongst other watches for its chronometric precision and its impeccable reliability. The watch is a symbol of Rolex‘s craftsmanship and exemplifies why they have earned their place among the world’s most esteemed watchmakers.
The Breitling Navitimer is renowned as a classic amongst watch collectors due to its iconic image as one of the most distinguished pilot watches in the world. It has rightly made its mark in history, and remains one of the most iconic and sought–after timepieces.
From its precise functionality to its timeless design, this watch has set the standard for high performance and reliability, becoming an absolute classic among watch collectors and aficionados alike.
Without a doubt, the Navitimer is Breitling’s flagship watch. Iconic and easily recognisable, its distinctive feature is the slide rule, bidirectional bezel. (It’s usually white, contrasting with the dial and complementing the subdials.) The iconic look is also functional: before digital calculators, slide rules were commonly used to quickly calculate multiplication and division.
The handy slide rule bezel, in conjunction with Navitimer’s chronograph complication, was quickly adopted by pilots.
Since its founding in 1860, Panerai has developed a global reputation for its exquisite Italian design and technical excellence. Originally designed to meet the military requirements of the Italian Royal Navy, Panerai timepieces are known and celebrated for their clear legibility and luminosity in the dark, as well as their performance at extreme depths.
In 1998, Panerai unveiled the Submersible, a watch belonging to their Luminor family, renowned for its effective waterproofing technology. It has a 300–meter depth rating, a cushion–shaped case, a prominent high–contrast dial and a protective bridge over the crown to safeguard against impacts and keep water away from the movement.
The flyback function on a chronograph enables the user to quickly reset and restart the timer with the press of a single button located at the 8 o‘clock position. This eliminates the need for additional steps, such as stopping and resetting the timer, thereby reducing the overall time taken to make subsequent measurements. This can be especially helpful in situations where precise timing is necessary.
If you’re looking for an incredible selection of pre-owned flyback chronograph watches, there’s no better place to go than BQ Watches. We have chronograph watches from every popular luxury brand that carries them.
If you have something particular in mind, make sure to ask about our sourcing services. We’d be happy to help you find your perfect watch. Once you know which of our services you need, simply fill out our contact form below. A member of our team will be in touch shortly.