Graham Chronofighter Watches

Graham Chronofighter Review

The Graham Chronofighter collection is the brand’s first collection. It was, and is, inspired by vintage military air pilots, i.e. it pays homage to the watches worn by the aircrew of RAF Bomber Command. The Chronofighter series was originally manufactured in the year 1695, but they have since become Graham’s most renowned watches. The watches, in particular, pay homage to 1930s and 1940s bomb timers, in the way they are designed. In 2001, when the Chronofighter was launched as a Collection under the brand, not the man, it gained attention, as it broke the norm with its unusual and unique chronograph lever on the left side of the case. Its imposing dimensions which were termed ‘oversize’ by the brand called to watch aficionados over the globe. The Chronofighter was a departure from the usual designs of luxury brand watches in the early 2000s, directly drawing inspiration from the military chronographs.
Those military watches used during the World Wars sometimes spanned as wide as 52mm, and the crown and push-piece feature allowed the wearer to control the chronograph with their thumb, even with thick gloves on their hands. Speed was everything during the war times, and even though the wearers of Graham’s Chronofighter are not going to step onto a warplane the next second, it still remains an ingenious piece. However, the first Graham Chronofighter only spanned as wide as 43mm, not taking into consideration the crown that protected the chronograph reset pusher. This width was a departure from the conventional men's watches at the time which spanned about 40mm, or less.
The placement of the crown and pusher on the left side of the watch is quite genius, as it does not poke into the wrist of the wearer, assuming, of course, that the watch is worn on the left wrist.

Graham Chronofighter Oversize Watch

Graham Chronofighter watches have been tagged as ‘oversize’ by the brand itself. This may not be a series in itself, but more than the brand manufactures limited editions of watches and tags them as oversized. This is not a bad thing; it simply adds to the beauty of the watch. For example, there are Graham Chronofighter Oversize Diver watches, Chronofighter Oversize Superlight TT, etc.
However, the first Chronofighter Oversize was a tribute to the British Special Air Service. In 2006, its width span increased from 43mm to 47mm, and the design became even more technical. Several of the Chronofighter’s later models adopted the look, such as the Chronofighter GMT, and the 2007 Chronofighter Oversize Diver. The Chronofighter Oversize Diver featured a rotating bezel, and it had a helium escape valve, also known as a Helium Relief Valve. It was water-resistant to 1000 feet.

Graham Chronofighter 1965 Watch

This is by far the most classic of all the series and editions of the Graham Chronofighter collection. It was manufactured in honor of George Graham, the man after whom the Graham brand was named. It has quite a simple design, something reminiscent of older watch designs. The dial is of Roman numerals, and it was inspired by pocket watches. Its silver case spans 42mm, but the watch has none of the grandeur, and macho of the brand’s earlier designs; although it maintains the Chronograph crown already associated with the brand. The back of the case is inscribed with a depiction of the Greenwich Royal Observatory. In short, this series depicts the motto of the Graham brand, watchmaking since 1965, which does not refer to the actual brand, but to George Graham. It is a worthy tribute to George Graham.

Graham Chronofighter Oversize 2 Watch

This is a modernized version of the Chronofighter Oversize which was released in 2006. Released in 2012. This series is even more technical and angular than the first Oversized series. A sloping bezel replaces the rounded bezel which was a feature in the earlier version of the Graham Chronofighter Oversize series.

Graham Chronofighter Superlight Watch

The Graham Chronofighter Superlight is sure to stand out in a crowd – courtesy of its bright colors. The watches in this series are light, weighing less than 100g, but they span across at 47mm, and despite its dimensions, it is an incredibly comfortable watch. Of course, the Chronofighter Superlight would look odd on a suit, but wearing the watch is all about breaking boundaries and oddities.
Its case is made of black carbon which contributes to its lightness. The strap is made of rubber so soft and pliable it doesn’t irritate the wearer’s skin, and the ‘Clou de Paris’ pattern makes for good aesthetics. The polished bezel is manufactured with 3K black carbon fabric, and the dial is concealed with slightly-domed sapphire crystals and an anti-reflective coating. The back of the case allows for a glimpse of the caliber C1747, and it is fixed in place with six screws.
Despite its complex design, the Graham Chronofighter Superlight has large hour markers which make it easy for its wearer to read the time. It is paired with large hour hands that are coated with luminescence, and the chronograph hands are in a contrasting color. The date is displayed in a small space between 8 o’clock and 9 o’clock. The watch is water-resistant as lows as 300 feet. This watch is pretty exclusive, with only 50 pieces produced.

Graham Chronofighter Prodive Watch

This limited edition was released in 2012, and it was meant for professional divers. However, it could be used by a horologist who simply wants to enjoy the aesthetics of the watch. The watches in this series were designed boldly. In line with the Graham Chronofighter collection, this series spans as wide as 45mm, however, it deviates from the regular limits to its water-resistance capabilities. This series, as a dive watch, boasts of 2000 feet(600m) of water resistance, an automatic helium release valve built into the case, and a uni-directional bezel.
With a shark motif engraved on the back of the case, it is in every way a diving watch. Graham maintained its Chronofighter leanings, by fitting the watch with a black, rubberized crown with an automatic locking system known as a ‘bayonet safety system’. The watch is also furnished with a red ring that alerts the wearer if the crown is not well-fitted, or secure. The Graham Chronofighter Prodive was made waterproof with the decision to move the position of the crown from the 9 o’clock position to the 10 o’clock, and rotate the movement by a few degrees. This ensured that the small second's indicator which also serves as a propeller, and the 30-minute chronograph register are on a different position on the dial than they normally would be. These adjustments made the watches water-resistant. This watch can be found priced from $10,000 to 14,000.

Graham Chronofighter Vintage Watch

This model of Chronofighter watches is not as ‘oversize’ as the others; its width span was reduced to 44mm. This makes it a bit more restrained than other Graham Chronofighter watches. The case was also adjusted to make it more suitable to the classic pilot, and the trigger/crown was remodeled with a knurled crown and topped off with a mushroom-shaped reset pusher.

Graham Chronofighter Vintage Nose Art Limited Edition Watch

Graham watches have a reputation for being daring, but the Chronofighter Vintage Nose Art takes it up a notch. Nose Art can be linked to the Second World War when pinups were painted by ground crews on military planes. At first, it was created to identify friendly aircraft from enemies, but it later evolved to folk art. It became a symbol of home and peacetime. Graham Chronofighter Vintage Nose Art captures that style and showcases it on the dial of its vintage military watches.
The series contains 4 editions; Lilly, Sally, Anna, and Nina, as the girls painted on the dials of the watches. With the unconventional dial and the inverted crown, the watches in this series dare to be worn, with a promise of increased status for those who would dare wear them. The dials of the Graham Chronofighter Vintage Nose Art Ltd. are a major attraction. They are based on the Chronofighter Vintage edition, and they have similar layouts: large ‘12’ numeral that can be spotted from across the room, antique-like hour hands, a 30-minute counter at 6 o’clock, and a day-and-date indicator at 9 o’clock.
The major difference between this edition and others in the collection is the painting of pin-ups on the dials. These cartoon-like pinups add a touch of humor, as well as glamor, to the watches, but there is also a sense of consistency with the original Chronofighter DNA. This edition is not for everyone, it is for those who are audacious enough to have such an unconventional piece on their wrist, as well as those who are collectors of all things of that era; the military in the 1930s and 1940s. In other ways, the Chronofighter Nose Art Ltd. edition is similar to others: it has a 44mm case, the crown is at 9 o’clock, and it is crafted in polished stainless steel.

Graham Chronofighter Grand Vintage Watch

This was presented at the Baselworld in 2018. This is not much different from the Chronofighter Vintage designs of 2016, but it returns to the oversized case span of 47mm. It features a date magnifier and a slightly domed sapphire crystal.

Where to Buy Graham Chronofighter?

If you are interested in new, and pre-owned watches from the Graham Chronofighter collection, you are in luck. If you are in Naples, Florida, you are just a step closer to purchasing one; just visit our certified store, Exquisite Timepieces, located at 4380 Gulfshore Blvd., N. Suite 800., or contact us for more details.