8 Best Stainless Steel Chronograph Watches at European Watch Company

Chronographs are probably the first complication a collector will look for when expanding beyond time-only watches. This is because it is a relatively affordable complication, is incredibly useful, and there are an abundance of options. And the most affordable chronographs come in stainless steel. So we thought we would take a look at 8 of our favorite stainless steel chronographs. 8 modern icons that we regularly see at European Watch Company.

Rolex Daytona Ref. 126500LN

Price: $35,000-$37,000, Case Size: 40mm, Thickness: 12.2mm, Lug-to-Lug: 46.5mm, Lug Width: 20mm, Water Resistance: 100M, Crystal: Sapphire, Movement: Automatic Winding, Material: Stainless Steel

When you think of the quintessential stainless steel chronograph, you probably think of the Rolex Daytona. In a catalog full of iconic models, the Daytona sits above the rest for Rolex. And what’s not to love? The 40mm case sits close to the wrist as the Daytona is only 11.9mm thick. And the panda dial configuration is timeless. If you are looking for a steel chronograph with both history and style, the Rolex Daytona is the watch for you.

Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch Ref.  310.30.42.50.01.001

Price: $4,500-$5,500 Case Size: 42mm, Thickness: 14mm, Lug-to-Lug: 47.5mm, Lug Width: 20mm, Water Resistance: 50M, Crystal: Hesalite, Movement: Manually Wound, Material: Stainless Steel

You’re either a Rolex Daytona person or an Omega Speedmaster person. And there is definitely an argument for either watch. In the case of the Speedmaster, the case is easy. Not only is it an attractive watch with good proportions, but it is priced well, under $10,000 USD. And, oh yeah, we almost forgot, it was the first watch on the moon. That pedigree is enough to warrant buying a Speedy.

Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Chronograph Ref. 26331ST

Price: $42,000- $46,000, Case Size: 41mm, Thickness: 11mm, Lug-to-Lug: N/A, Lug Width: N/A, Water Resistance: 50M, Crystal: Sapphire, Movement: Automatic Winding, Material: Stainless Steel

The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak is one of the most iconic integrated bracelet stainless steel sport watches. So adding a chronograph to the collection makes a ton of sense. And the Royal Oak Chronograph just works. The silver Grand Tapisserie pattern is contrasted by three black subdials, giving the watch a unique panda design. If you want an iconic design but want something a little more interesting than a three hander, the Royal Oak Chronograph is a great choice.

H. Moser & Cie Streamliner Flyback Chronograph

Price: $35,000-$40,000, Case Size: 43.2mm, Thickness: 14.2mm, Lug-to-Lug: 43.2mm, Lug Width: N/A, Water Resistance: 12 ATM, Crystal: Sapphire, Movement: Automatic, Material: Stainless Steel

The H. Moser & Cie Streamliner Flyback Chronograph is one of the most unique chronographs on this list. Unlike the typical chronograph, there are no subdials. Instead, the chronograph seconds and minutes hands are centrally mounted. This gives the watch a much cleaner look than your typical chronograph, something Moser is known for. And on top of that, the Streamliner, Moser’s take on an integrated bracelet sport watch, is just incredibly unique. You can’t go wrong with the Moser Streamliner Flyback Chronograph.

Czapek Antarctique Rattrapante Ice Blue

Price: $42,000- $45,000, Case Size: 42.5 mm, Thickness: 15.3mm, Lug-to-Lug: 46.3mm, Lug Width: N/A, Water Resistance: 120M, Crystal: Sapphire, Movement: Automatic Winding, Material: Stainless Steel

If you are looking for a chronograph with a fully openworked dial, the Czapek Antarctique Ice Blue is for your. Housed in a stainless steel integrated bracelet sport watch, is rattrapante chronograph that looks as stunning as it is complicated. On top of that, the transparent baby, or “ice”, blue accents give some extra visual interest. The Antarctique Ice Blue is truly a sight to behold on the wrist.

You can read our full review of the Czapek Antarctique Rattrapante Ice Blue here.

Patek Philippe Nautilus Ref. 5980/1A-019

Price: $105,000- $110,000, Case Size: 40.5 mm, Thickness: 12.2mm, Lug-to-Lug: 44mm, Lug Width: N/A, Water Resistance: 30M, Crystal: Sapphire, Movement: Automatic Winding, Material: Stainless Steel

There are quite a few iconic stainless steel sport watches on this list. And one of them is definitely the Patek Philippe Nautilus Chronograph Ref. 5980/1A-019. Instead of the multiple subdials, there is a single chronograph subdial at 6 o’clock. While the seconds is centrally mounted, the minutes and hours subdial are both located here. Presenting the chronograph in this way allows the dial to be less cluttered and allows the white dial to shine.

Check out our review of the Patek Philippe Nautilus Ref. 5980/1A-019 here.

Breitling Navitimer B01 Chronograph

Price: $5,000- $5,500, Case Size: 43 mm, Thickness: 13.6mm, Lug-to-Lug: 49mm, Lug Width: 22mm, Water Resistance: 30M, Crystal: Sapphire, Movement: Automatic Winding, Material: Stainless Steel

The Breitling Navitimer is one of the most iconic chronographs on the market. As a pilot’s watch, in addition to the chronograph, the watch features a slide rule bezel. This allows the wearer, typically a pilot, to do quick calculations on the fly, which can be essential in flight (especially when the watch was first released 1954. And the fact that the Navitimer has withstood the test of time and is still popular today, only further demonstrates what an icon it has become.

IWC Pilot Chronograph Ref. IW377710

Price: $4,800- $5,100, Case Size: 43 mm, Thickness: 15.4mm, Lug-to-Lug: 53.5mm, Lug Width: 21mm, Water Resistance: 60M, Crystal: Sapphire, Movement: Automatic Winding, Material: Stainless Steel

The final watch on our list is another iconic pilot watch. The IWC Chronograph Ref. IW377710 is IWC’s quintessential pilot watch. Yes, the IWC has a catalog full of pilot watches, but the Ref. IW377710 is what you think of when you think of an IWC pilot watch. The black dials and subdials are contrasted by the red seconds hand, and the big white hour markers make the watch incredibly legible. You can’t go wrong with the IWC Pilot Chronograph Ref. IW377710.

For more, check out our 34 favorite chronograph watches and our 10 favorite gold chronograph watches.