Graham Chronofighter Superlight Carbon Skeleton Watch Review
The Graham Chronofighter Superlight Carbon Skeleton Ref. 2CCBK.B25A tips the scales at less than 100 grams. However, as Angus Davies explains, the impressive specification of this lightweight timepiece does not shortchange wearers.
This detailed review of the Graham Chronofighter Superlight Carbon Skeleton Ref. 2CCBK.B25A includes live images, specification details and pricing.
I have just looked in the refrigerator and discovered that all of my favourite creamy yoghurts have disappeared. In their place are ‘light’ yoghurts, distinctly lacking fat, sugar and, most pertinently, flavour.
The problem with being a forty-something is that you fall victim to sanctimonious medical opinion. Suddenly wherever I go, I am told to reduce fat, salt and sugar. My alcohol intake must be moderated to the point of abstinence and a future of quinoa salad and wheatgrass is now firmly on the agenda.
The fact is, whenever I hear the term ‘light’ I shudder at the prospect of foregoing another of life’s pleasures. Earlier this year, Graham, the Swiss watch company, located in La Chaux-de-Fonds, unveiled its new Chronofighter Superlight Carbon Skeleton. On hearing the word ‘Superlight’ at the time of launch, I began to ponder if the healthy do-gooders had even marred the pleasure of owning a watch, removing all the best bits to achieve a featherlight mass.
However, I then recalled wearing a Chronofighter Oversize Superlight Carbon for a period of evaluation some time ago and being impressed at its low weight, bold red strap, its carbon weave dial and highly attractive case. Suddenly, I felt a sense of calm and rediscovered my professional objectivity.
The dial
The Graham Chronofighter Superlight Carbon Skeleton eschews a conventional dial, allowing the wearer to see the rotating motion of each wheel presented. Just in the way men enjoy viewing the engine of a car, Graham cleverly indulges mechanically curious eyes with a vista of exposed microcomponents. However, while an array of wheels including the balance wheel are freely disclosed, the open-worked layout of the dial does not inhibit ease of interpretation.
The ‘modern’ style hour and minute hands, contrary to their name, exhibit a traditional character. In this instance, the traditional mien of the hands is combined with a multitude of contemporary design elements, however, everything coalesces wonderfully. The black hour and minute hands are fulsome in scale and lined with white Super-LumiNova, conferring sublime legibility.
Graham has equipped this model with a bi-compax dial layout which delivers an agreeable dose of symmetry. A 30-minute chronograph register resides at 9 o’clock, while opposite a similarly sized subdial displays the small running seconds. Red hands introduce a tasteful dose of vibrancy to the otherwise monochrome palette.
There is a delightful visual lightness to the dial composition. Each subdial is framed with a floating circular scale and retained with two screws adjacent the minute track. The luminescent hour markers stretch from the central dial area to the minute track, spanning a slither of exposed circular grained main plate.
The central chronograph seconds hand is red, bold and optimally presented for ease of interpretation. The minute track framing the dial area is marked with crisp strokes and Arabic numerals which, in combination with said central chronograph seconds hand, ensures elapsed seconds can easily be discerned.
The case
The 47mm case is composed of ‘black carbon composite’. The surface of the bezel is formed of ‘black carbon (3K)’ and resembles a latticework of grey and black dappled lines, evincing a woven like appearance. There is a delightful lustre to the bezel which contrasts with the muted matt appearance of the chronograph trigger (3K carbon frame). Graham has not made life simple for itself, uniting an array of complex materials, however, one glance at the watch shows the company’s considerable efforts were justified.
The large dimensions of this chronograph ordinarily would prove problematic with the pushpieces potentially gouging the wearer’s arm. However, in this instance, the trigger resides on the left hand flank of the case, proving unobtrusive and wrist-friendly.
Examining the trigger closely reveals its anatomical profile awaits its wearer’s thumb. Both starting and stopping the stopwatch function is highly intuitive, mitigating the amount of wearer thinking time, resulting in the measured time interval proving more accurate.
Nestled between the trigger and the caseband is the crown. It assumes a shy, passive appearance until time adjustment or winding necessitates use. In terms of functionality, the crown proves eminently capable of fulfilling its role.
Another reason the 47mm does not overwhelm the wrist with its size can be attributed to the short lugs which prominently arc downwards. The rubber strap, sporting a very stylish Clou de Paris motif, is predisposed to envelope the wrist and I found it bestowed a comfortable union with my left arm.
Six screws hold the case back in position. At the centre of the case back is a pane of smoked sapphire crystal, allowing sight of the self-winding Calibre G1790 movement. An array of red text adorns the case back, according a wonderfully vibrant and sporty persona.
The movement
The Calibre G1790 automatic movement reveals its screwed balance dial side and proves hypnotic when viewed. The balance has a frequency of 28,800 vph (4Hz) and the movement contains 29 jewels.
Graham reminds the wearer of this model’s ‘Superlight’ credentials with the design of the oscillating mass which features three circular cut-outs. While the aesthetics convey a sense of lightness, there is clearly sufficient weight to wind the mainspring and accord the convenience of automatic winding.
Throughout the Graham Chronofighter Superlight Carbon Skeleton there are delightful episodes of modernity. The movement is black and adorned with a ‘hand-drawn strokes decoration’, while traditional circular graining doffs its hat to historical finishing while happily coexisting with the ubiquitous modernity manifest.
Closing remarks
I have deliberately waited until now before discussing the figures on the weighing scales. The Graham Chronofighter Superlight Carbon Skeleton weighs less than 100 grams including its rubber strap. This is an amazing figure and unlike my morning session on the scales does not require standing on one leg or breathing in.
Nevertheless, despite a notable absence of weight, the Graham Chronofighter Superlight Carbon Skeleton does not forgo any important specification details and proffers much potential owner enjoyment. There are no compromises, just a timepiece packed with contemporary flavour, an enchanting dial showcasing mesmerising mechanical action and the facility to measure elapsed times with a mere flick of the thumb.
Finally, I can relax, I have found a ‘Superlight’ dish which proves a mouthwatering prospect.
Technical Specification
- Model: Graham Chronofighter Superlight Carbon Skeleton
- Ref: 2CCBK.B25A
- Case: Black carbon composite case; diameter 47 mm; water resistant to 10 bar (100 metres); sapphire crystal to front and caseback.
- Functions: Hours; minutes; small seconds; chronograph.
- Movement: Calibre G1790, self-winding movement; frequency 28,800 vph (4Hz); 29 jewels; power reserve 46 hours.
- Strap: Black rubber strap with black carbon (3K) pin buckle
- Price: £7,490 (RRP as at 21.10.2016)