Hands-On – Graham Chronofighter Vintage Pulsometer Ltd

The Chronofighter Vintage Collection made its debut in 2016. With this tasteful facelift, the brand’s signature trigger chronograph has been refined, and the case scaled down to 44mm, giving it a relatively subdued look (we said relatively… It is still a very bold watch). It features a redesigned start stop trigger, with a knurled onion crown and a mushroom shaped reset pusher. Graham have now added another model to this collection, further enhancing its vintage ‘flair’ with an attractive doctor’s watch, released in two steel limited editions of 250 pieces each, the Graham Chronofighter Vintage Pulsometer Ltd.

The Chronofighter Vintage Pulsometer Ltd is available either with a silver or black dial with a sun-brushed finish, which creates subtle reflections. The dial layout is elegant and clean. It is well balanced with the day-date indication at 9 o’clock providing a counterpoint to the small seconds – yet things remain clean, without the presence of the minute or the hour counter, simply because the focus given to this watch is much different, as made to measure pulsations.

The chronograph indications are thus limited to a central seconds hand, with a slender red tip for the pulsometer scale framing the dial (calibrated for 30 heartbeats), which is, in fact, more than enough considering the vocation of this watch. That concept might be disturbing for some, who will think this watch lacks some indication, however, for once, we can’t complain that a brand pushed the idea a few steps further. In addition, this makes the dial clean and, personally, I find it quite pleasant. The golden hour markers are coated with Superluminova and paired with matching hands for enhanced legibility. The small seconds subdial is snailed. And beneath the day and date windows, the limited edition number is printed on the dial, which is an original touch.

Pulsometers – The so-called doctor’s watches are chronographs which feature a scale allowing a simple and reliable rapid heart rate reading. The doctor starts the chronograph, counts a determined number of pulsations (usually it is calibrated for 15 or 30), and then stops the chronograph to read the patient’s pulse per minute on the pulsometric scale.

With its 44 mm diameter, the highly polished steel case wears really well thanks to its tapered lugs. The toned down, more restrained look of the ‘Vintage’ Chronofighter is a great fit with the additional retro vibe of the pulsometer. It features a slightly domed sapphire crystal and sapphire case back. It is 100 m water resistant.

The Chronofighter Vintage Pulsometer Ltd is powered by the automatic calibre G1718. Looking through the exhibition case back at its architecture and cam/lever mechanism, one will easily spot it is based on the reliable Valjoux 7750 workhorse. The movement operates at 28’800 vibrations per hour with a two-day power reserve. It is nicely finished with straight Geneva stripes and perlage. A soft calf leather strap secured by a pin buckle sets the final touch.

Overall the Chronofighter Vintage Puslometer Ltd is, without doubt, one of the most beautiful versions of the signature Graham chronograph. The way they have managed to pair the bold character of the model with vintage inspiration into a refined look will truly be appreciated – and not only by the brand’s aficionados. For more information, please visit www.graham1695.com.

Technical Specifications – Graham Chronofighter Vintage Pulsometer Ltd

• Case: 44 mm – steel case – domed sapphire crystal withanti-reflectivee coating – sapphire case back – water resistant to 100m
• Movement: Calibre G1718 (modified Valjoux 7750) – mechanical with automatic winding – 48h power reserve – 28,800 vibrations/h – 25 jewels – hours, minutes, seconds, chronograph, day and date
• Strap:  hand-sewn calf leather strap with steel pin buckle
• Reference: 2CVCS.S01A (silver dial) ; 2CVCS.B20A (black dial) ;
• Retail price : CHF 4,450
• Limited edition of 250 pieces for each colour