Here’s a surprising watchmaking fact that many collectors may not realise: just a century ago, less than a handful of watch brands produced their own in-house chronographs. In fact, most brands adapted or modified ébauches from movement makers.
Longines was one of the few brands with the ability to develop and produce its own chronograph movements. From 145 years ago, it created several high-precision chronographs for pocket watches and later for wristwatches specifically. This started with the 20N chronograph calibre, the very first high-precision chronograph in 1878.
Keeping Track of Time
By 1890, a new double-sided chronograph was introduced as the Calibre 19.73. The front of the watch was a two-register display, while the back bore a two-track tachymeter. The Calibre 19.73N was a slimmer version of the movement released in 1909 and designed to
