Rubber B has become well-known as a highly respected crafter of custom rubber watch bands for timepieces from some of the most respected watchmakers in the field, including such brands as Rolex, Tudor, and Breitling. Rubber B has a variety of straps in different colors and styles in our product portfolio that are appropriate for both business/formal wear and more casual situations as well. This piece will serve as an in-depth comparison guide for chronographs from four of the most popular watchmakers in the marketplace: Rolex, Tudor, Zenith, and Breitling.
Each of these companies has a chronograph that is currently available for purchase: the Rolex Daytona, the Tudor Black Bay Chronograph, the Zenith Chronomaster, and the Breitling Chronomat. All four of these pieces are distinguished in their own right, and many of them have been produced for decades now by their respective parent companies. But can one of these watches clearly be deemed superior to the other three?
We will attempt to answer this question by providing information about each of these watches in terms of both of their technical specifications and design style, as well as any unique historical significance that may be associated with the timepiece as well. Rubber B has put together a series of hypothetical comparisons of these watches, which you will see below.
Before we get to those comparisons, however, it would be prudent to spend some time focusing on the Rolex timepiece specifically, as it is very unique and has a history that is worth exploring more deeply.
A Brief History of the Rolex Cosmograph Daytona
It should be noted at the outset of this article that of all of the chronographs we will be looking at, this one is the most coveted of the four by a considerable amount. This is largely due to the fact that this watch has a unique history to it that the other three chronographs cannot lay claim to.
Why is the Rolex Cosmograph Daytona Special?
Though Rolex can lay claim to a lot of accomplishments throughout the history of horology, producing the first chronograph is not one of them. However, no other watch has been sought after in quite the same fashion as the Rolex Cosmograph Daytona. One of these watches sold for a record-setting 17.8 million dollars at an auction in New York in 2017.
That particular Rolex belonged to the revered film actor Paul Newman and was gifted to his daughter after she passed away. Newman was well-known for wearing the watch, which had been gifted to him by his wife, Joanne Woodward, during his race car driving career, which he began pursuing as a sideline to film acting in the 1960’s. It would also be featured prominently in several of his films as well.
Because of Paul Newman’s long and storied association with the Rolex Cosmograph Daytona, it is considered to be one of the most popular watches in the world, especially among veteran collectors.
What Are The Technical Specifications of the Rolex Cosmograph Daytona?
There have been three iterations of the Rolex Cosmograph Daytona: the first was released in 1963, the second in 1988, and the most recent in 2000. An interesting note about the second series is that it used a modified version of a Zenith movement from one of their chronometers, marking only one of a handful of times where Rolex has not used an in-house movement in their timepieces.
For the purposes of this piece, we will be looking at the most recent version of this watch. The Rolex Cosmograph Daytona measures 40 mm in diameter and has a thickness of 12.8 mm, which is thin for a traditional chronometer. It also has a lug-to-lug measurement of 47 mm – when all of these measurements are taken into account together, this timepiece is ideal for those with average to smaller-sized wrists.
The Rolex Cosmograph Daytona is powered by the Caliber 4130, which has a power reserve of 70 hours. It has a hacking second and no date complication – this is unusual because the remaining watches on this list do have a visible date window on their dial. It is also water-resistant for up to 100 meters.
What Does the Rolex Cosmograph Daytona Look Like in Terms of its Aesthetic?
The dial for this timepiece is entirely in black and white, with the notable exception of the word “Daytona,” which is printed in red lettering above the bottom sub-dial. There are three sub-dials on the dial’s face, and the black ceramic bezel is both unidirectional and rotatable. The bezel has a clearly marked tachymetric scale on it which allows the wearer to measure up to 400 units per hour.
The Primary Problem With the Rolex Cosmograph Daytona
While this is an excellent timepiece to own, should you be able to procure one, actually managing to make that purchase could prove to be very challenging in its own right. This is one of the most sought-after watches in the world, and finding one could take months or years of independent research.
Additionally, because of its popularity, this timepiece is often frequently duplicated by counterfeiters, making it vitally important to be sure that the piece you are planning on purchasing is indeed a genuine Rolex before any financial transactions are completed.
While this watch officially retails for $13,150, you will likely end up paying double that, if not more, on the secondary market for it. Because its popularity and pricing contribute significantly to its difficulty to find, the Rolex Cosmograph Daytona will continue to be a sought-after watch among collectors for years to come.
1st Chronograph Comparison: Rolex Daytona vs. Tudor Black Bay Chrono
The Tudor Black Bay has become a more sought-after chronograph in recent years, partially in response to the fact that Tudor watches have become significantly more popular in the last decade. The success that Tudor has seen during that time prompted them to release their own chronograph in 2017, with two newer iterations in 2021, though they only differ from one another in terms of their color scheme. The newer iterations have come to be known as the “Panda” watches.
The Tudor Black Bay measures 41 mm in diameter, making it slightly bigger than the Rolex Daytona’s 40 mm. It has a case thickness of 14.4 mm, making it a much thicker watch than the Daytona. Visually speaking, this is one of the most immediately noticeable things when one attempts to compare these two timepieces.
From an aesthetic standpoint, it is interesting to note how much the Tudor Black Bay Chrono borrows from its predecessor. One of the newer iterations has a similar color-looking bracelet and a black matte background for the dial, though the Tudor chronograph has only two sub-dials on the primary face, while the Rolex Daytona has three of them.
2nd Chronograph Comparison: Rolex Daytona vs. Zenith Chronomaster Sport Watch
The Zenith Chronomaster Sport Watch is another timepiece that has some interesting history behind it, albeit it not as complex as the Rolex Daytona piece it’s being compared to, in this instance. The Zenith Chronomaster Sport Watch is a direct descendant, horologically speaking, of Zenith’s El Primero chronograph, which contained the first-ever automated chronograph movement and was released in 1969.
Zenith’s chronometer measures 41 mm and has the same lug-to-lug measurements as the Rolex Daytona, however, with a case thickness of 15 mm, it’s a considerably chunkier watch. The piece isn’t uncomfortable to wear, but it’s also impossible not to notice the feeling on your wrist of the bulkier case.
Technically speaking, the Zenith Chronomaster Sport Watch is unique in terms of the fact that its movement beats at ten ticks per second. This is significant because it means that the wearer can measure the time in up to a tenth of a second, which is something most chronographs currently on the market are not capable of doing.
At first glance, the Zenith Chronomaster Sport Watch seems to have heavily borrowed from the look of the Daytona, both in terms of color pattern and the use of three sub-dials on the main face. However, examining them more closely reveals that the Zenith Chronomaster Sport Watch appears more as a “tool watch” than the Rolex Daytona does.
3rd Chronograph Comparison: Rolex Daytona vs. Breitling Chronomat – Which Watch is Best For You?
Arguably, the single most important thing to know about the Breitling Chronomat is that, of all the chronographs we will cover in this piece, it is the largest of the four by a sizable amount. As such, if you have a smaller wrist, this likely will not be the best watch for you, as it won’t fit comfortably on your wrist.
While the case is only 42 mm, it has a heavier feel to it than reading that number alone may imply. It has a lug-to-lug measurement of 50 mm and a height of 15 mm, which helps to further visualize the depth and width of this watch. It is powered by a BO1 movement with a power reserve of up to 70 hours, which is standard for this type of watch.
It is also notable that, in terms of the look of the Breitling Chronomat, it has the least in common with the Rolex Daytona. While both have the three smaller sub-dials on the main dial of the watch, that is where the similarities end. Even the sub-dials on this watch are labeled differently, and this timepiece comes in a number of different color patterns outside of the “panda” style that the other chronometers on this list come in.
4th Chronograph Comparison: Showdown: Tudor Black Bay Chronograph vs. Breitling Chronomat – Which Watch is Best For You?
When comparing these two watches, it is hard to ignore how many things they have in common in terms of their technical capabilities. They both have a power reserve of 70 hours and are water-resistant for up to 200 meters, though they are powered by different movements.
The two primary areas in which these two timepieces differ are in their technical capabilities and their pricing. The Tudor Black Bay Chrono is a COSC certified chronometer, and is the first watch to ever earn that distinction, while the Breitling Chronomat is not. Additionally, the Tudor piece retails for around $5,000 on average, while the Breitling watch is closer to $8,000.
Chronograph Comparison between AP and Omega
The Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch Professional vs the Audemars Piguet Chronometer Chronograph Comparison
For this chronograph comparison, we are looking at both Omega and Audemars Piguet.
The Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch is the first timepiece authorized to go into space with the NASA program as early as 1962, and was the first timepiece to officially land on the moon with Neil Armstrong and company in 1969. The Speedmaster was the only timepiece to pass the rigorous tests that NASA tested its mission equipment with, for both keeping superior time while sustaining the pressures of low gravity, high and low pressure, and resistance to magnetic interference.
The Speedmaster has a 44.25 mm case and highly luminescent hands and hour markers, including the seconds hand. Starting at, just under 10k and most timepieces in its collection at just over 12k, the Omega Speedmaster gives collectors a superior tool watch for an attainable price.
The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Self-winding chronograph has its Grande Tapisserie pattern on the dial. It is a much different timepiece and would not be considered a tool watch, but rather a fine piece of jewelry. It offers similar luminescence, but larger dials. In fact the dials cover up some of the luminescent numerals at 3, 6 and 9 o’clock. It also offers the additional Date complication at between the 4 and 5 o’clock position.
The AP chronograph has a much more luxurious set of options including Pink Gold, and White Gold. Even the Stainless Steel model is priced at nearly 3x that of the Omega Speedmaster at $32,600, with the pink gold with diamond option rising to a steep $71,700.
The AP is much smaller than the Omega, with only a 38 mm case. Technically the Omega is superior to the AP timepiece. However, in design, beauty, and elegance the AP timepiece will win the day. Although the Omega is at least as strong, and arguably stronger and more durable than the Royal Oak, the AP with is octagonal design and exposed screws, appears like the stronger timepiece. For this Chronograph Comparison we would have to give the Omega the winner in total value, but the AP takes the cake in overall elegance.
Are You In Need of a Custom Rubber Watch Strap For Your Luxury Timepiece? Visit Rubber B Today
This chronograph comparison is not complete without adding the #1 watch band – Rubber B to the conversation. Rubber B produces custom rubber watch straps for timepieces from some of the most respected watchmakers on the market today, including Rolex, Tudor, Omega, AP and Breitling. For more information on our complete product catalog, feel free to visit our website and learn more about our pricing, policies, and additional product information.
It should also be noted that Rubber B’s custom rubber watch straps are made only from 100% vulcanized rubber, and all of our products are FDA and BVGG compliant as well.
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