Monopusher chronographs honor the origins of the stopwatch function with looks that often cite their own history ? a good fit for the current vintage-look trend. The bicompax displays on our test pieces ? from Hanhart, Longines, and Montblanc ? underscore the linear nature of the stopwatch function. See how they stack up against each other in this feature from our December 2019 issue, with original photos by Olaf Köster.
Clockwise from top right: Hanhart Pioneer MonoScope, Montblanc Heritage Monopusher Chronograph, Longines Heritage Column-Wheel Single Push-Piece Chronograph
Monopusher chronographs with bicompax displays are reaching deep into the past in two ways. By the mid-1930s, developments from Breitling first resulted in a second chronograph pusher that made it possible to stop and restart the recording of time intervals multiple times. Previously only a single linear measurement was possible with a single push-button ? to start, stop, reset ? just like our three current test watches from Hanhart, Longines and Montblanc. Each of these stopwatches continues to write its own personal history. The return of the monopusher chronograph follows the same trend of linearity and clarity as the bicompax display, giving us a better overview of the chronograph dial.
One Pusher, Two Subdials

Bicompax is the designation for a dial with only two subdials ? one register for the small seconds, usually at the 9 o’clock position, and one for the timed minutes, usually at 3 o...