The Graham Chronofighter Vintage Aircraft Ltd is taking off

There really is no doubt that Graham designs have ties into the history of aviation. Their recent pinup watches highlight that and their recently announced watches, the Graham Chronofighter Vintage Aircraft Ltd, take that inspiration in a different – and somewhat literal – direction.

Now, at first glance, the Graham Chronofighter Vintage Aircraft Ltd is very much a Graham watch. You’ve got the large chronograph trigger on the side of the case (thankfully away from the wrist in this case), and well. yeah. That’s actually the most instantly recognizable aspect of these Chronofighter watches, with that trigger. Show me that, I know who we’re talking about. Then, some closer inspection shows some of the other details that differ.

First off, have a look at the dials of the Graham Chronofighter Vintage Aircraft Ltd. You see the day and date display over there at the 9 o’clock position? While I won’t say I’m an expert on the Graham catalog, these are definitely not like anything I’ve seen on a watch I’ve spent time with from the brand. Looking around the dial shows you another detail – the rivets. Well, not actually rivets, but definitely a pattern that calls to mind the riveted skin of a vintage aircraft. Sure, that’s not quite true military spec, but hey, it’s a clever way to throw some more aviation ties into the watch.

The dials of the Graham Chronofighter Vintage Aircraft Ltd feature sunburst fades, with some rather sharp colors (I’m, of course, partial to the blue). To carry the colors through, you’ve got textile (denim or canvas) straps that either pick up the color of the dial itself, or of the lume color used on the indices. While the colors themselves aren’t overly bold, the combination of the tinted straps with the dial treatments does give things a bit of a wow factor.

There are four variations of the Graham Chronofighter Vintage Aircraft Ltd being made available, in limited editions of 250 pieces each. Regardless of the color you find yourself liking, you’ll want to bring $5,450 to put down on the barrel to call one of them your own. For those waiting to make their minds up, we are working to get one in for a hands-on review, which will of course give us the chance to give you our take on the color, as well as how this latest case fits to the wrist. Keep an eye out! graham1695.com

Watch Overview

Brand & Model: Graham Chronofighter Vintage Aircraft Ltd

Price: $5,450
Who we think it might be for: You like your sheet metal bumpy
Would I buy one for myself based on what I’ve seen? Probably not, since chronos aren’t my thing

If I could make one design suggestion, it would be: The curious mind wonders what a non-chronograph version would look like
What spoke to me the most about this watch: Frankly, the colors and the day/date integration

Tech Specs from Graham

Functions:
- Chronograph (seconds, 30 minutes counter)
- Day-date at 9 o’clock
- Hours, minutes, seconds
Calibre:
- G1747, automatic chronograph28’800 A/h (4Hz)
- Incabloc shock absorber
- 25 jewels
- Power reserve: 48 hours

Case:
- 44 mm aged steel with grey PVD – old metal aspect
- Aged steel with grey PVD fast-action start / stop trigger and reset pusher
- Domed sapphire crystal, anti-reflective coating
- Aged steel with grey PVD case back with RAF Halifax aircraft stamped (2CVAV.B17A)Other references with see-through sapphire case back
Bezel: Aged steel with grey PVD330 feet / 100 m / 10 bar

Water resistance: 330 feet / 100 m / 10 bar
Dial:
- Black riveted with radial gradient and limited edition serial number
- Beige/ white Super-LumiNova hands, numerals and indexes
- Green/white or rhodiated chrono hands
- Green / red and rhodiated counter’s hand