Definition of chronograph

The word "chronograph" originated in the 16th century from the Greek words "chronos," meaning time, and "graphein," meaning to write. Initially, a chronograph referred to a device or instrument used to record time, such as a timeline or a calendar. In the 17th and 18th centuries, chronographs became synonymous with astronomical clocks that tracked the movement of celestial bodies. Later, in the 19th century, the term evolved to describe a type of mechanical watch that recorded the passage of time, often with a hands-on display of hours, minutes, and seconds. Today, the term "chronograph" is often used to describe quartz or digital watches with stopwatch or timer functions.