The
word "Chronograph" in word-for-word translation
from Greek means "writing time". Such watch with
ink needle was invented in 1821
by French master Russak. It actually wrote on the dial with
a small pen attached to the index. The length of the arc
of the circle displayed the time that had passed. The index
was fixed while the dial turned. Literally, this was the
only timepiece that bore the name Chronograph rightly. But
chronograph in its everyday understanding appeared thanks
to Adolph Nikol 20 years later.
The term "Chronoscope" is used rarer, but
it would be a more accurate name for chronographs, since
there is no real "writing" involved anymore.
In
1822, Rieussec was granted
a patent.
1930s
- waterproof chronographs appeared, the first anti-magnetic
chronograph followed. In 1933,
the firm Universal introduced the first waterproof chronograph
to the public under the name "Colonial".
1969
the first self winding chronograph appears on the market.
Two automatic chronographs were introduced on the Basel
Watch Fair: the Chronomat and the El Primero.
At
the beginning of the 20th century, stopwatches
were used mainly by sportsmen and the military. Quartz chonographs
are used.
