If get into it a little bit, you'll find that the first automatic chronograph was probably a Seiko. ;)

There are some fascinating vintage Seiko's and the moderator of the Seiko forum on TZ is gentleman named Kohei and he is like you with Heuers and Chuck with Omegas...staggering collection of vintage Seikos and extremely well versed on the subject.

They have a lot of product that is Japanese Domestic Market (JDM) only, because in Japan a Seiko doesn't have to apologize for being a Seiko. Too bad, because it is spectacular.