Equipped with their signature trigger-shaped chronograph push-piece, the new Graham Chronofighter Fortress offers you that diesel-punk aesthetics that you either love or hate with all your heart.
Available at a pretty much impressive cost of CHF 7950, this one justifies its hefty price sticker with the caliber G1742 automatic movement.
Made at their own production facilities (well, it must be noted that premises are not exactly their own: the mechanism was designed and built by a Swiss-based “manufacture” La Joux-Perret, which is owned by the same financial group that also owns Graham making the latter technically a manufacture, too), the movement offers an Incabloc shock absorption system and its mainspring barrel stores enough energy to power the watch for two days.
Designed as a competitor to the good old ETA Valjoux 7750 natural-born column-wheel chronograph movement, the new caliber basically offers the same functionality as the older one.
The mechanism must be turned upside down here to allow placing the crown at 9 o’clock, so, if you will need to wind the mainspring manually, you will have to turn the crown in a counter-clockwise direction that some may find a bit uncomfortable at first. You will need to turn it around two dozen times to start the timekeeper and give it enough energy to keep it going. You don’t need to do anything with the trigger to operate the crown: the trigger here acts simply as a crown guard and chronograph start/stop button.
The movement must be pretty compact since the Chronofighter Fortress is delivered in a relatively compact case of 43 mm in diameter that somehow looks obscenely big.
The effect probably has something to do with the signature trigger module that, while adding approximately ten millimeters to the timekeeper’s overall width, also turns it into a contraption that, on a wrist of an average person, starts to look like a lethal contraption from a steampunk movie (also, if you plan to wear the Ref. 2CRBS.B10A on your right wrist, you should also keep in mind that the “trigger” module may make the 2CRBS.B10A become a source of some discomfort).
As you can see, the lugs here are relatively short, so even on a thin wrist, the Chronofighter will look at home. Perhaps, the only thing that may make you feel a bit uncomfortable is the device’s overall thickness and massiveness: this little bastard will never let you forget that you are wearing a watch on your wrist.
In fact, the case is so small that the trigger-shaped chronograph pusher that also serves as a crown guard looks like it was transplanted directly from one of those .50 cals that were installed on the legendary B-52 Superfortress strategic bomber planes.
The module is well-finished, there is indeed a solid feel to it. All parts are well crafted and finely machine brushed enhancing its technical look.
Designed to be pushed by the right thumb, the trigger is used both for stop/stop and reset operations.
Another nice touch here is the “Bomber jacket” calf leather strap of light brown color. It is wide and rather stiff somehow matching the masculine aura of the gadget. It comes with a solid-looking pin buckle that, too, looks reassuring (you don’t want to lose your eight thousand dollars watch, do you?)
See also: Graham Chronofighter Trigger Tourbillograph
Photos: Graham
Graham Chronofighter Fortress (Ref. 2CRBS.B10A) specification
Price: CHF 7950 (MSRP)
Movement: Automatic, Caliber G1742, Incabloc shock absorber, 28 jewels, 28,800 vph, in-house (designed and made by La Joux-Perret), Swiss Made
Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, date, chronograph
Power reserve: 48 hours
Case: Stainless steel
Shape: Round
Size: 43.00 mm
Dial: Black
Numerals: Arabic
Hands: Steel with beige Superluminova
Water resistance: 100 meters
Strap: Bomber jacket calf leather strap (light brown)
Crystal: Sapphire, domed, antireflective
Back: Sapphire