Their popularity could be down to their integral history including in space travel, aviation and sport. A 1968 Rolex Daytona worn by Paul Newman sold for almost $18 million recently, making it one of the most expensive ever sold in an auction.

Whatever the reason for the love of chronographs, they look understated and stylish, so here we check out the best ones on offer for 2019:

Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Self-winding Chronograph

In a range of exciting camouflage-style colours, Audemars Piguet are offering their Royal Oak Offshore Self-winding Chronographs. Combining ceramic bezels with robust rubber straps and water resistance to 100, they’re certainly a good choice for those on the go.

This new series features push-pieces and screw-locked crowns and the ceramic can withstand scratches and high temperatures.

The blue and green models feature a stainless steel case, while the brown model has an 18-carat pink gold case that nicely sets off the bezel’s brown ceramic – a first for Audemars Piguet.

Cartier Santos Chronograph   

Debuted at the latest SIHH, was the Cartier Santos Chronograph – a more ‘affordable’ watch with three variations  –  references WGSA0017 in pink gold, W2SA0008 in two-tone, and WSSA0017 in steel.

With in-house chronograph movement each new watch comes with two strap/bracelet options. One is black rubber with metal screws. As well as being incredibly comfy to wear, Cartier have also decluttered the case by having a single pusher on the right side of the case for the chronograph start/stop functionality, and the reset pusher is actually built into the crown itself.

IWC pilot’s watch chronograph – Le Petit Prince

This stunning new timepiece, part of a new series recently donned by Hollywood’s Bradley Cooper at the Oscars, is a sight for sore eyes.

The striking combination of a midnight blue dial with polished stainless steel case and a white-stitched brown leather band makes this watch an exciting prospect for 2019.

Its date function and multiple clock faces sit behind a sapphire crystal window with anti-reflective window and with perfect Swiss automatic movement, this will be on the wish list of many watch collectors.

Breitling Navitimer 8 B01

A fan favourite since its inception in 1952, the Navitimer 8 B01 Chronograph 43 hails from Breitling’s most iconic collection. With its 43mm stainless steel case or alligator strap, it has an impressive 70-hour power reserve. But the most delightful thing about this timepiece is the transparent sapphire case back, which shows off the impressive COSC-certified self-winding movement.

The Navitimer 8 B01 Chronograph 43 is powered by the in-house Breitling Manufacture Calibre 01 and the display features 30-minute and 12-hour counters as well as a date window.