Since Graham was founded in 1995, the brand has been recognized and associated with its Chronofighter and its instantly recognizable chronograph trigger. To celebrate the brand’s 25th anniversary, Graham released this limited edition Chronofighter Vintage 25th Anniversary watch, which also happens to be one of its most restrained and wearable watches recently released.
The chronograph trigger is located on the left side of the Graham Chronofighter watch case. It is inspired by the old military chronographs of World War II. The trigger system of the chronograph allows easy operation with the thumb. This became the design mark of Graham’s most well-known series, split as you might expect (through design). To me, the Graham chronograph trigger is a lot like the Panerai Luminor crown guard because it cannot save a bad design, but it can definitely enhance the right watch and also help it stand out from the competition . With a relatively conservative case size and classic dial design, I think this 25th anniversary Chronofighter is exactly what I want to see from Graham.
This limited edition is basically a reinterpretation of the first and original Chronofighter (here are some good pictures). The Graham Chronofighter Vintage 25th Anniversary case has a 100M sturdy waterproof performance, 44 mm wide and 15.5 mm thick (including box crystals), and the height from lug to lug is 49.5 mm. I find this case size is more wear-resistant and easier to manage on the wrist than the larger 47mm case Graham often uses. Please note that the original Chronofighter was actually smaller, only 43 mm, and did not have an exhibition bottom cover. I think Graham no longer produces any 43mm watches, so I didn’t expect them to produce a new case (not to mention a limited production of 25 pieces).
The fact that the chronograph trigger is located on the left side of the case makes it basically completely unobtrusive, and I found that it does not hinder wearing comfort at all. In fact, I have worn a much smaller classic design chronograph with buttons on the right side of the case, and it hurts my hand when the wrist moves up. Neither this watch nor the larger 47mm case tourbillon is available. Although Chronofighter is designed to be an eye-catching piece, if you put a sleeve on it, it can be unexpectedly invisible. When I pulled back my sleeve to check the time, the chronograph trigger remained hidden, because naturally I just pulled back enough sleeves to check the dial. It’s fun, but you can forget that you already have one of them. watches replica
I really wanted to know the width of the case, including the timing trigger, so I took out my reliable digital caliper and got the exact total width of 53.6 mm. Given the very reasonable 49.5mm lug-to-lug height and the points I mentioned earlier, the wear of the watch is hardly as large as people think.
Although I do hope that the thickness of the case can be reduced by one millimeter, this is not a bad thing for me, because a little weight fits this aesthetic. In addition, the 15.5 mm I measured includes a fairly thick domed sapphire crystal with an AR coating on the dial. With this in mind, the dial is very clear and easy to read, without any glare. Of course, the hour, minute and chronograph hands, as well as the hour numbers/hour markers, are all treated with healthy lemon green luminous.
The matte black dial has a double-row needle layout with a small seconds at 3 o’clock and a 30-minute counter at 9 o’clock. The two small dials are both made of silver with a subtle and appreciable snail pattern, which adds a bit of visual sophistication to the work. I think Graham is at his best (relatively speaking) when things are kept simple. It feels like the watch can breathe without any extra date indicator, date window or design decoration on the dial. This allows me to focus on and truly appreciate the unique cut profile of the replica Graham Chronofighter case.
Although the original Chronofighter had a closed back cover, this new interpretation has a sapphire crystal, showing the G1722 chronograph movement based on Valjoux 7750. G1722 has some beautiful blue screws and perlage, as well as COSC certification and Chronofiable certification. Chronofiable is related to the durability and robustness of the movement, and its process involves simulating 21 days (equivalent to 6 months of wearing) shock, acceleration and temperature changes. Prior to internal testing, Richard Mille boasted of Chronofiable certification.
The G1722 runs at a speed of 28,800 vph and has a power reserve of 48 hours. Oh, if you want to know how timing triggers work, it’s easy. Press the lower lever to activate and pause the chronograph, while the button above it resets.
The Graham Chronofighter Vintage 25th Anniversary watch is equipped with a brown leather strap, which matches well with the watch and is very comfortable to wear.