Graham’s Chronofighter Superlight gets Super Bright

Graham’s warhorse par excellence, the Chronofighter is an oversized chronograph with a racing soul renowned for its prominent lever on the left side of the case protecting the chronograph trigger. This key identity trait appears time after time in every iteration of this brand pillar, be it a vintage-style pilot’s watch or an elegant GMT model.  When the Chronofighter Superlight collection was unveiled in 2017, the XXL 47mm bad boy chronograph was lightened up with a carbon case (weighing in at less than 100g) and brightened up some with racy blue, red and yellow details on the dial and matching rubber straps.

Burning rubber on your wrist

Carbon and rubber are widely used in Formula One construction and the chassis and body of the Graham Superlight are made from innovative superlight and resilient black carbon nanotube composite, offset with a vibrant rubber strap. Now available in orange, green and purple combinations, the colours, as the brand assures us, are not designed for “softies”.

As a brand that has sponsored many motor racing events – including the Isle of Man Tourist Trophy, the Baja 1000, the GT Asia Series and the Silverstone circuit – the inspiration for the turbo-charged colours was taken directly from the head-turning tyre colours zipping around the race track.

Timing laps

The carbon fibre dial features an interesting black and grey chequerboard pattern against which the new colours stand out vividly on the tachymetre and minute scales. The chronograph functions are highlighted in a contrasting colour (in red on the green model, and in yellow on the purple and orange variants) while the elapsed time counters are snailed for additional contrast. Just above 8 o’clock is a small, round date window completing the copious information offered on the dial which becomes a whole lot easier to decipher with the colour-coded indicators.  The large Arabic numerals and the XXL 12 o’clock numeral, like the hour and minute hands, are treated with white SuperLumiNova for enhanced legibility in poor light conditions.

Lefties will be delighted with the position of the chronograph start/stop trigger on the left side of the case, and right-handed wearers will discover that the trigger is comfortable and intuitive to operate. As opposed to the classic configuration of chrono pushers at 2 and 4 o’clock, the left position of the trigger means you can use your thumb while holding the case firmly with your four fingers.

The engine under the bonnet

Equipped with a G1747 automatic chronograph movement, based on the reliable Valjoux 7750, the calibre is visible through the case back and offers a power reserve of 48 hours. Water-resistant to 100 metres, the domed sapphire crystal on both sides of the case have an anti-reflective coating and the crystal on the movement side has a smoky finish.

Embossed with a Clous de Paris pattern, the new rubber straps are integrated into the 47mm case and fasten to the wrist with a black carbon pin buckle or a black DLC folding buckle. The watch is presented with an additional black rubber strap and retails for CHF 9,900. More details on graham1965.com.