Here at MR PORTER, we’ve spent many virtual column inches extolling the wonder, appeal and historic pedigree of the chronograph watch movement. But we’ve never before focused on the hand-wound variety. Why? Well, because, to be honest, they are not incredibly common in the modern marketplace: most people, after all, tend to prefer the convenience of an automatic watch that winds itself. However, there is still a magic to hand-wound watches, partly because they are so directly connected to the history of watchmaking and partly because, in an age where many luxury watches come with a sapphire case back, they offer unparalleled transparency when it comes to examining the inner workings of the movement.

In the above video, the third in our About Time series, we explain the beauty that’s to be found in a hand-wound chronograph, using Vacheron Constantin’s beautiful, vintage-styled Harmony Chronograph by way of example.

Watch previous episodes of About Time below, or on our YouTube channel.

The IWC Schaffhausen Big Pilot’s Watch, then and now

How to work, rest and play with Jaeger LeCoultre