Chronographer vs Oscillo
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Chronographer
This app helps you meticulously track the accuracy of your mechanical watches. It records time differences, calculates detailed performance metrics, and visualizes trends with charts and histograms. You can also manage your watch collection, log daily wear, and analyze positional variations.
- Track mechanical watch accuracy
- Calculate detailed performance metrics
- Visualize accuracy with charts and histograms
- Manage watch collection with notes and photos
- Log daily watch wear
- Analyze positional variation
- Export watch data
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Chronographer is for people who enjoy mechanical watches. It does two things: 1. Tracks your watches’ long-term accuracy 2. Records wrist time Chronographer can work with your whole watch collection. Create a “card” for each watch, giving it a name and, optionally, a longer description. Select a picture from your Photos library and add additional notes, such as the watch’s specifications, purchase details, and service history. All information is stored in iCloud and automatically synchronized between your devices. To track a watch’s accuracy, periodically collect data points comparing its indicated time to the current correct time. Chronographer tracks offsets (the difference from the correct time) and daily rate (how many seconds it gains or loses per day). It uses this information to create graphs and histograms that help you visualize your watch’s performance over time. Chronographer also calculates the following metrics: * Average offset * Max. positive offset * Max. negative offset * Last offset * Net gain/loss * Best-fit rate * Average rate * Fastest rate * Slowest rate * Last rate * Rate variance * Best-fit rate drift You can log the watch (or watches) that you wear each day. Chronographer’s wrist time tracking feature lets you see which watches you wear the most and how long it’s been since you’ve worn each one. You can use Chronographer to identify positional variation. When you record a data point, include the position (dial up, crown up, etc.) that the watch was stored in. Then, you can restrict the charts and metrics to specific positions and compare the results. Chronographer includes a large digital clock to help when you set your watches. For more information, including a detailed user’s guide, see https://www.rmfrance.net/chronographer
Oscillo
This app uses your iPhone's microphone to measure the rate, beat error, and amplitude of mechanical watches. It also identifies watch models, manages your collection with AI-generated portraits, and tracks performance over time. Get detailed reports and reminders to maintain your timepieces.
- Measure watch rate, beat error, and amplitude
- AI watch identification and model detection
- AI-generated watch portraits for collection
- Collection management and organization
- Detailed measurement history and trends
- Precision tracking and multi-day cycles
- Weekly watch reports and profile insights
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Oscillo is a watch timegrapher for iPhone. Use your iPhone microphone to measure the same metrics a professional watchmaker checks: rate, beat error, and amplitude. No adapters, cables, or expensive equipment. Built for mechanical watch collectors who care about precision. HOW TO MEASURE 1. Place the iPhone microphone flat against the watch crystal or case back. 2. Start recording the tick sounds and wait for the measurement to finish. 3. Review your rate, beat error, and amplitude. KEY FEATURES • Watch Rate Checker — Measure rate (seconds/day), beat error (ms), and amplitude (degrees). Supports the beat rates listed below. • AI Watch Identification — Snap a photo and let AI detect the brand, model, and reference number automatically. • AI-Generated Portraits — Oscillo turns your watch photos into magazine-style cards for your collection. • Collection Management — Browse your watches in grid, full, or list views. Mark watches as favorites, archive them, change their order, and organize your collection. • Measurement History — Detailed charts and trends for every watch, with health badges that help you interpret your measurements. • Precision Tracking — Record manual readings from the dial and follow your watch’s drift over days. Compare observations before and after a regulation or service. • Guided Measurement Cycles — Record timegrapher readings in different watch positions. With Oscillo Pro, complete all six positions and compare results with a saved reference cycle. • Weekly Watch Report — A seven-day summary of your collection: average rate, most-worn watch, best reading, and suggested next actions. • Profile and Wearing Habits — A personal calendar of activity, collection milestones, timing performance, and a heatmap that shows which watches you wear and when. • Reminders — Optional local notifications remind you to log which watch you wore, capture the next precision reading, or open your weekly report. • Offline Access — Your saved collection and measurements are available on your device. Cloud sync and AI features require an internet connection. ACCURACY & ENVIRONMENT • Best results in a quiet room — background noise can affect readings. • Place the case back flat against the microphone for a strong, consistent signal. • If readings seem unstable, move to a quieter space or adjust mic position. • Supported beat rates: 12,000 / 14,400 / 17,280 / 18,000 / 19,800 / 21,600 / 25,200 / 28,800 / 36,000 / 43,200 / 72,000 BPH. DESIGNED FOR COLLECTORS Whether you own one watch or fifty, Oscillo helps you follow changes in each movement’s timing performance over time. Payments and Renewal Oscillo offers limited free use and optional Pro purchases, including subscriptions and a one-time purchase. Payment will be charged to your Apple Account at confirmation of purchase. Subscription automatically renews unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. Your Apple Account will be charged for renewal within 24 hours prior to the end of the current period. You can manage or turn off auto-renew in your Account settings at any time after purchase. Privacy Policy: https://oscillo.app/privacy Terms of Service: https://oscillo.app/terms
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: Oscillo at 4.8 against Chronographer's 3.4. Oscillo also leads on update cadence (weekly vs every 2 months) and ratings volume (26 vs 5). Chronographer's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 5) and iOS requirement (18.6 vs 26.0). On price, ads and device support 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. Oscillo sells 5 in-app purchases, starting at $6.99 per month. Chronographer asks for nothing beyond the download.
Oscillo holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 3.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Oscillo has 26 ratings behind it against 5, so its average is the more settled of the two.
Chronographer ships an update every 2 months, Oscillo weekly. The most recent releases landed on October 15, 2026 and October 25, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Chronographer | Oscillo |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 3.4 (5 ratings) | 4.8 (26 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 50.0% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 5 | 26 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | Weekly — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Free — better | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad — better | iPhone |
| Requires iOS | 18.6 — better | 26.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 3 MB | 75 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | +4 |
| Developer | Robert France | Attila Halasz |
Customer experience
Chronographer
Oscillo
In-app purchases
Chronographer
No in-app purchases
Oscillo
- Oscillo Pro Monthly$6.991 Month
- Oscillo Pro Annual7 Days trial$29.991 Year
- Oscillo Pro Lifetime$49.99
- Founder's Lifetime$49.99
- Oscillo Pro Lifetime$59.99









