Understanding the Tachymeter Function
The main function of a tachymeter watch is to help you convert elapsed time into average speed. It can be used to measure speed in miles per hour (MPH), nautical miles per hour (knots) or kilometers per hour (KPH). You’ll only find a tachymeter on a watch that also sports a chronograph, as the two complications work together – the chronograph helps you measure time that has passed and the tachymeter helps to turn that time into a unit of speed.
Originally, a tachymeter was used to compute speed based on travel time and became very popular during the rise of auto racing and air travel in the 19th century. As technology evolved and became more sophisticated, the need for accurate speed measurement grew as well, which led to more tachymeters in professional and luxury watch designs. Nowadays, it’s still a common complication to find on watches, even if the wearers aren’t professional racers or pilots.
How Does a Tachymeter Work?
Tachymeters can be found on chronograph watches as a bezel or directly on the dial. The numbers and dashes around the bezel count anticlockwise from 60 to around 500. The chronograph hand (either the second hand or another designated hand on the watch dial) starts at the 12 o’clock mark. Once you start the chronograph, the hand sweeps around the watch face. The number it lands on tells you how fast you’re going in your chosen scale.
Step by Step Guide to Using a Tachymeter Watch
To use your watch’s tachymeter function, you’ll need to know the actual distance you are covering in miles or km. You’ll also need to know how to use a chronograph watch – a type of watch complication that acts as a stopwatch and tracks elapsed time.
- Choose a start and finish point. This can be on a racetrack or between two points, such as road signs.
- Start the chronograph with the second hand at 60 (the twelve o’clock position) when you or the moving object you’re tracking passes the starting point.
- Stop the chronograph when you or the object reaches the finish point.
- Within the first minute of travel, the second hand will point to the speed for a one mile (or one kilometer) distance. For example: if it takes 45 seconds to get from your start to end point, the hand will point to 80, indicating that you went 80 MPH or 80 KPH.
- If a distance greater than one mile or kilometer is covered in that first minute, multiply the tachymeter number by the distance to get the actual rate. For example: if you went 1.2 miles in 45 seconds, the formula would be 80 x 1.2 = 96 MPH.
Practical Uses of a Tachymeter Watch
As we’ve mentioned, a tachymeter is used to measure your speed in relation to elapsed time. This can be useful for tracking how fast you’re going in a car or other mode of transport, for example. But there are also other uses for your tachymeter bezel.
Measure distance
Tachymeters weren’t originally designed to measure distance, however you can use them this way.
- Choose a fixed speed you can maintain throughout the test.
- Begin at your starting point and start the chronograph or stopwatch when you start moving.
- Stop the chronograph or stopwatch when the number on the tachymeter scale matches the speed you tried to maintain during the test.
- The chronograph’s second hand will point to the distance traveled on the tachymeter scale.
Measuring slower and faster speeds
You can also use your watch’s tachymeter to measure speeds both faster and slower than originally designed. This is useful for runners who want to measure their top speed or pilots who are measuring the speed of their aircraft.
To measure slower speeds, you divide the tachymeter reading by the distance you traveled. For example, running 500 ft in 30 seconds will tell you that you ran at 120 MPH, which is a little (okay, a lot) faster than you actually ran. 500 ft is about a 10th of a mile (10.56 of a mile, actually), so you’d divide 120/10.56 = 11.4. So, you ran 11.4 miles an hour
To measure faster speeds, you just need to change the distance you’re traveling. For example, rather than sticking to 1 mile, you would change it to 10. Multiply the tachymeter reading by 10 (or however many miles you chose to travel) to get a faster reading.
For example, if you’re traveling at 60mph, you’ll have traveled a mile when the second hand lands on 60.
Timex’s Tachymeter Watches
For superior timekeeping and reliable tachymeter functions, tachymeter watches from Timex are the ideal choice. Our collection of reliable chronograph tachymeter watches is made with durable materials built to last a lifetime.
For a rugged adventure-ready companion, the Timex Standard Tachymeter Chronograph watch shines as one of our most refined everyday options. It’s made with eco-friendly resin strap, a tachymeter top ring, and water resistance up to 100m. It’s a watch that keeps going without sacrificing style.
Our range of Marlin watches also includes popular chronograph styles. Beloved for its iconic mid-century design, the Marlin Chronograph Tachymeter watch features a stainless-steel case and bracelet, a unique date window placement, and a tachymeter on the outer edge of the dial. It’s a retro- style watch that effortlessly keeps up with modern life.
Key Takeaway
Tachymeter complications are useful additions to watches for those who need to track their speed. Whether you’re a runner wanting to keep an eye on your personal best, a pilot needing to track the speed of your aircraft, or just someone who wants to see if their speedometer in their car is accurate, a tachymeter watch is a helpful tool and a stylish accessory to add to your lineup.
Shop our full range of Marlin Chronograph Tachymeter watches to find your next adventure companion.
LIKE WHAT YOU SEE? SHOP THE STORY:
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Marlin® Chronograph Tachymeter 40mm Leather Strap Watch40 mm Black/Stainless Steel$189.00 -
Timex Standard Tachymeter Chronograph 43mm Eco-Friendly Resin Strap Watch43 mm Black/Black$139.00 -
Marlin® Chronograph Tachymeter 40mm Stainless Steel Bracelet Watch40 mm Stainless Steel/Two-Tone$209.00
