Yes, it was a big deal back in the day, but just an flight engineers have been replaced by automation and technology, the chronograph has been superseded.
I had(as in past tense) most likely the most "bad-ass" chronograph of all time: early 70's Rolex Cosmograph in stainless steel with black in-laid bezel. Left it in a public bathroom after washing my hands...5 minutes later...gone! Talk about stupid?!
Got it as a gift from Dad when I was 21...cost when he got it...$1500.
That SAME series watch today is 35-45 THOUSAND dollars(and its a used watch)
...even with a million bucks in pocket, I couldn't see paying that for it.
Now as an engineer, I wear a $30 Timex. I could afford something more, but nothing would even come close to what I had, so for me, reaching for that is pointless.