5 Vintage-Inspired Chronographs That Deserve Your Attention
Vintage chronographs are more popular and expensive than ever before. Sought-after models, like the vintage Omega Speedmaster or the ultra-rare Rolex Paul Newman Daytona, can command astronomical secondary market prices, putting them well out of reach for the average collector.
That’s where the vintage-inspired and re-issue watch market comes in and has really taken off. These watches capture the appeal of vintage grails while incorporating modern materials and more reliable movements, and at incredibly approachable price points, too. Some brands have revived beloved designs from their archives, while others have created new neo-vintage chronographs that channel the same heritage and aesthetics of genuine vintage watches at a fraction of the cost.
Below, we’ll explore five of the best vintage-inspired chronographs under $3,000 that deserve a spot in your collection, all of which you can find in the Clicky Bezel store.
Best Chronographs Under $3000: Nivada Chronomaster
You might have heard of Nivada, a brand established in Grenchen, Switzerland, back in 1926. They made quite a name for themselves with models like the waterproof and shock-resistant Antarctic released in the 1950s, the Wanderer wrist alarm from the 1960s, and the uber water-resistant Depthmaster (1,000m). Like most Swiss brands from the era, Nivada faced some serious challenges during the quartz crisis, an era that saw an increase in popularity for affordable quartz watches. After multiple ownership changes, the brand was brought back to Switzerland by Guillaume Laidet and Remi Chabrat, with a mission to reimagine its most successful models for modern collectors while staying faithful to the originals.
The original Chronomaster Aviator Sea Diver came about in 1963. Developed as an adventurer’s watch, it boasts all the typical tool watch features one would expect, including a 5-minute countdown timer, 60-minute rotating bezel, a Tachymeter scale, and strong water resistance. The modern reissue, Chronomaster Broad Arrow ref. 86056M01LC keeps the 38mm case, oversized crown, and vintage styling but adds a clever twist: an interchangeable bezel system inspired by the 1960s COLORAMA VI.
The bezel can be swapped in seconds, no tools required, with five included color options: black, red, green, blue, and black/red. At just over $2,000, the Chronomaster offers both clever versatility and value for vintage chronograph enthusiasts.
Affordable Paul Newman-Style Chronograph: Nivada Chronosport Meca-Quartz
The Chronosport Meca-Quartz is modeled after a 1970s Nivada prototype, which had a Singer-made dial, hence its close resemblance to the famous exotic dial Rolex Paul Newman Daytona. That same aesthetic has been carried over to this newer model. While Nivada also makes an automatic version of the watch, this Meca-Quartz model is nearly identical and can be had for a fraction of the price.
Meca-Quartz movements combine quartz timekeeping with mechanical chronograph components, delivering quartz accuracy and smoother chronograph hand motion. At $530, this model combines the incredibly popular Paul Newman look with a reliable hybrid movement.
Swiss-Made Vintage Chronograph: Vulcain Chronograph 1970s
Many watch enthusiasts are already familiar with Vulcain for the Cricket, a watch that made history in the 1940s with its innovative mechanical alarm. It featured a second case back that amplified the sound, giving the alarm its signature chirp. Nearly every U.S. President since Truman has been gifted one, earning it the nickname “The President’s Watch.”
While the Cricket is a notable piece of Vulcain history, the focus of this list is on the Chronograph 1970s ref. 640109A30.BAC207, a modern watch inspired by a timepiece from Vulcain’s archives. This contemporary re-issue features a similar 38mm case, a double-domed sapphire crystal (shaped to resemble vintage acrylic), and a 1970s-inspired “step case” with a polished mid-case and brushed, tapered bezel and case back. Powering the watch is the SW510, a hand-wound movement with a 63-hour power reserve. At $2,750, it’s one of the pricier watches on our list, but it’s well worth the premium as it nails the balance between modern materials and vintage-inspired design elements.
Manual-Wind Panda Dial Chronograph: Baltic Scalegraph Classic Panda
Baltic, a young French brand launched via Kickstarter a few years ago, has been making waves recently with its roster of vintage-inspired watches. Most notably is the Scalegraph Classic Panda with the SW510 hand-wound movement.
It features a light beige dial with black sub-dials, Super-LumiNova BGW9, and a double-domed sapphire crystal. Baltic also offers a reverse Panda version for those who prefer darker dials. Both variations come with aluminum bezels and are priced well under $2,000.
While the Scalegraph is pricier than Baltic’s non-Sellita models, the Swiss-made movement and nicely executed vintage-inspired design make it one of the most compelling manual-wind panda dial chronographs available today.
Best Chronograph Under $300: True North Vintage Rally Timer
Los Angeles-based True North Watch Company produces some of the most affordable neo-vintage chronographs out there right now. The micro brand was founded by Shane Russeck, a wildlife photographer and avid vintage watch collector. He’s blown people away with the level of craftsmanship for the price, which falls well below $300 for the Daytona-esque Vintage Rally Timer. It sports a similar tri-compax layout but with the Meca-Quartz technology mentioned earlier, which offers the accuracy of quartz and the smoothness of a mechanical chronograph.
It is by no means a direct copy of the Rolex Daytona. Still, it delivers a remarkable level of quality for the price. If you’re in the market for a chronograph that looks and feels like a vintage classic without the insane premium that comes with it, this one’s hard to pass up.
Final Thoughts
From $265 to just under $3,000, each of these five chronographs proves you don’t need to have a six-figure budget to enjoy the charm and timeless aesthetics of vintage chronograph watches. From faithful re-issues like the Nivada Chronomaster or budget-friendly neo-vintage chronograph like the True North Vintage Rally Timer, there’s a model out there for just about any wrist or budget.
Which chronograph are you adding to your watch box? Visit the Clicky Bezel store to explore these models further and check availability.