The Euros with Football Chronographs
The match between Portugal and Turkey was played today, Saturday 22 June 2024, at 17:00, at the BVB Stadion Dortmund, in Germany. Portugal has a historical edge over Turkey, with seven wins to two and a total of 19 goals scored compared with Turkey's 9. Nevertheless, both teams have shown mixed recent form. The match was refereed by Felix Zwayer. Here at the IPR we naturally recommend the best watch for watching this match.
The most fitting watch for watching this game would be a 1970s football chronograph. These chronographs stand apart from the rest in always having a 45-minute indication, equivalent to half of a football match. One might consider this a far-fetched and not very useful reason to create a new chronograph model. However, given the number of desk divers and desk pilots around today, why not add the category of desk footballer as well? Usefulness has nothing to do with it.
At the time, these watches were made for supporters, players or referees. Although their purpose is more aesthetic than technical, they are all excellent pieces for the most die-hard supporters of the national team, as well as for any watch enthusiast. A good collector will surely recognise them as highly collectable models. Unfortunately, they are not easy to find, let alone in good condition. Get to know their features and the different versions, and find a pleasant surprise at the end.
OMEGA Soccer Timer — Seamaster — Ref. 145.016, 145.019, 145.020 — 1970
This is an excellent example of a football watch. Omega produced 3 models of the Soccer Timer between 1968 and the early 1980s. All use the Omega 861 calibre, and they grew from 38mm to 41mm. In fact, the only difference between these models and other chronographs is the 45-min marking beneath the 3 o'clock counter.
In the image above, we can see the 145.016 in the first row, the 145.019 in the second and the 145.020 in the third. The 145.019 is the most prized among collectors, perhaps because it is the only one with a rotating inner scale and the most playful-looking. Still, they are all rare and highly collectable watches.
Breitling Soccer Timers
Fasten your seatbelts: these Breitlings are a roller coaster of unnecessary usefulness and, to complicate matters, they are extremely useful for doing things that are not of much use, but are extremely fun. Confusing? Naturally, these models break completely with the notion of a chronograph.
When you press the chronograph pusher, the only visible change happens in the circular window at 6 o'clock; the chronograph hand does not show elapsed seconds but minutes. The circular window gives three indications: chronograph running, chronograph paused and chronograph stopped (see video).
CHRONOGRAPH ACTIVATION IN DETAIL
CHRONOGRAPH ACTIVATION
The indications are shown through different colours, mixed colours or dots, depending on the version.
Why is this a football watch?
Well, like the other football watches, it has a 45-minute indication, and that is all.
Heuer referee chronograph
Should there be any doubt about this watch's purpose, just read what is written on the dial: Football | Soccer. With these two words it is quite clear that we are talking about football. The bezel is bidirectional, the diameter is 44mm and a 45-minute scale is shown by an orange inner ring. The calibre is described as Heuer H11 6060 and is based on a Leonidas.
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