Emerald Chronometer vs Timegrapher
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Emerald Chronometer
Experience highly detailed mechanical watch faces with advanced astronomical and clock complications. Track celestial events, manage time with precision, and explore historical and future dates with interactive displays. Optimized for iPhone and iPod touch.
- Accurate astronomical data (4000 BCE - 2800 CE)
- Sun, Moon, and planet rise/set times
- Mechanical display of Moon phases
- Precise local and UTC time
- Chronograph with split timer
- World-time and calendar watches
- Interactive time-travel simulation
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These models of high-end mechanical watch faces contain many of the most complex "complications" found in real watches, plus refinements found nowhere else. All displays maintain the look and feel of real mechanical objects, but with the time and location accuracy of the iPhone. NOTE: This app (Emerald Chronometer) is optimized for the iPhone and iPod touch. Please also see Emerald Chronometer HD, a separate product optimized for the iPad. Astronomy features: - Highly accurate data from 4000 BCE to 2800 CE - Times of rise and set for the Sun, the Moon, and the 5 classical planets - The correct shape and orientation of the Moon in all phases but still using a mechanical display - Relative positions of the Sun, Moon, 6 planets and the constellations of the zodiac - "Compass functions" show the elevation and azimuth of the Sun, the Moon, and the 5 planets - The Equation of Time, solar time and sidereal time - Eclipse predictor (lunar node indicators and separation indicator) - User settable geographic location and timezone using an 80,000 city database - A unique face showing the rise and set times of all 5 classical planets plus the Sun and the Moon at once Clock features: - Day/date/month/year indicators, using mechanical wheels - Local and UTC time - Chronograph (stopwatch) with split timer, 1/10 sec accuracy - Alarm clock and interval timer; notifications are delivered in iOS 4 if the app is not running** - World-time watch with 24-city ring on one side and 4 subdials on the other - Calendar watch with rotating wheels showing a full month at a time - Most watches with 1/5 sec or 1/10 sec precision - Synchronized with standard atomic clocks via NTP There are 16 watches in all, with 27 total watch faces (including front and back sides). A setting is available to allow the display to stay on only when plugged in. Play with the watches by tapping on the crown and moving the hands, or press and hold on a date window to zoom through time to see the effect on the heavens. Then just use them to show you when it's time for a break. A complete description of each application feature can be found in the built-in Help screens and on the Emerald Sequoia LLC Web Site, which also includes a demo movie. A developer's blog may also be found at http://emeraldsequoia.com/esblog/ . If you are having any trouble with the application whatsoever, please see our FAQ on the support page listed below and then contact us through that page if your problem is not resolved. We take pride in responding promptly to all support email requests. **NTP accuracy is not guaranteed for alarm delivery if the app is not running. (NTP requires Internet access. Like all apps Emerald Chronometer can not change the device's internal clock.)
Timegrapher
This application uses your device's microphone to measure the accuracy of mechanical watches. It detects ticking sounds to analyze beat rate, beat error, and amplitude, displaying results in real-time and over time.
- Detect BPH
- Measure Beat rate
- Measure Beat error
- Measure Amplitude
- Set Lift angle
- Real-time sound display
- Accuracy over time display
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What is Timegrapher? Timegrapher measures the accuracy of your mechanical watch. The app uses your device's microphone to detect the ticking of your watch. Features: Detect BPH Measure Beat rate Measure Beat error Measure Amplitude Set Lift angle Display beat noises real time (unlock, impulse and lock sounds) Display accuracy and beat error over time More features will be coming soon.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: Emerald Chronometer at 4.9 against Timegrapher's 2.8. Emerald Chronometer also leads on review sentiment (97% vs 55%) and in-app purchases (none vs 1). Timegrapher's advantage is update cadence (every 8 months vs every 22 months). On price, ratings volume, device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.
Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS
Both are free to download. Timegrapher sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Emerald Chronometer asks for nothing beyond the download.
Emerald Chronometer holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 2.8. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 105 and 44 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 97% of Emerald Chronometer's written reviews are positive against 55% of Timegrapher's.
Emerald Chronometer ships an update every 22 months, Timegrapher every 8 months. The most recent releases landed on October 14, 2026 and October 17, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Emerald Chronometer | Timegrapher |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.9 (105 ratings) — better | 2.8 (44 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 96.8% of reviews — better | 55.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 105 — better | 44 |
| Update frequency | Every 22 months | Every 8 months — better |
| Ads | — | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Paid | Free with in-app purchases — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 — better | 16.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 311 MB | 9 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Scapa Flow, LLC | Attila Lelko |
Customer experience
Emerald Chronometer
Timegrapher
Bugs and requests
Emerald Chronometer
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
Timegrapher
Reported bugs
9 issues- Does not detect ticking
- Does not work at all
- Requires payment to function
- Inaccurate readings
- Unskippable pop-ups
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- App magnetizes watch
- Does not work after paying for premium
- Amplitude reported as 360
- Inconsistent measurements
Requested features
5 requests- Add dark mode
- Keep screen on during use
- Ability to save data per watch
- Improve visual design
- Lower price for Pro version
In-app purchases
Emerald Chronometer
No in-app purchases
Timegrapher
- Unlock full$5.99
Questions
Is Emerald Chronometer free?
Is Timegrapher free?
Which has better reviews, Emerald Chronometer or Timegrapher?
Which is updated more often, Emerald Chronometer or Timegrapher?
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