Watchmaking brands all over the civilized world (especially those that have a sporty model or two in their vast product ranges) LOVE to be associated with the high-revving world of motorsports in general and the guys that tend to win a lot of races in particular. The British watchmaker Graham is absolutely no exception here.
That’s why they dedicated their new Graham Silverstone Stowe Racing Mexico Limited Edition 100 to Mr. Mario Dominguez, a Mexican racing driver that, according to Wikipedia, had competed in the CART and CCWS Champ Car series and even had his podium in the IndyCar Series back in 2008.
Frankly speaking, I’ve always had mixed feelings regarding Graham’s design language.
On the one hand, there is that (almost) inevitable oversized “trigger” that serves as a crown guard and a chronograph push-piece that I extremely loathe.
On the other, there is that clearly identifiable styling to their dials that makes the watch easily recognizable, no matter what you look at: a dressy, classic-shaped Chronofighter 1695 Hosty Totsy or a grim, military-styled Chronofighter Fortress.
As you can see in the picture above, this new Silverstone Stowe Racing Mexico 100 lacks the aforementioned actuator. In my eyes, this makes the limited-edition chronograph almost perfect.
Devoted to the world of motorsports, it sports all the design cues that you can expect. Its black rubber strap sports a stylized tire tread motif and its oversized dial is crafted from black carbon fiber that, while not allowing for any noticeable weight saving, still looks sexy, and also provides a nice background for the huge Arabic numerals and broad hour and minute hands.
As usual, all these elements come with the white (or, perhaps, very light grey, I am not sure) Superluminova, so the watch guarantees adequate legibility both in broad daylight and at night.
Sporting a classic bi-compax layout, the Edition 100 features a simplified chronograph design that includes a 30-minute chronograph counter at 3 o’clock and a central seconds hand that also acts as a tachymeter indicator (the scale, as usual, is carved into the rim of the polished black ceramic bezel).
The setup uses the Caliber G1734 chronograph movement manufactured in Switzerland by Graham’s partner La Joux-Perret SA.
My main complaint here is, of course, the intimidatingly oversized case. Crafted from stainless steel, which is treated with black PVD coating, the body is whole 48 millimeters in diameter, which makes it absolutely off-limits for a great number of customers who are neither blessed with heroic proportions nor are overweight.
Well, this is still a nice timekeeper and if the size of this thing doesn’t scare you away, you should definitely try this one on your own wrist. Strong four stars out of five in my opinion.
See also: Glycine KMU 48 Black Hand-Wound LE (3905.99AT.LB90)
Photos: Graham
Graham Silverstone Stowe Racing Mexico Limited Edition 100 Chronograph 2BLDC.B27A specification
Price: $9900 (MSRP)
Movement: Automatic, Graham Caliber G1734, Swiss Made
Number of jewels: 27
Movement frequency: 28,800 vph
Power reserve: 48 hours
Functions: Hours, minutes, small seconds, date, chronograph, tachymeter
Case and Crown: Stainless steel, black PVD
Bezel: Black polished ceramic
Shape: Round
Size: 48.00 mm
Dial: Black carbon fiber
Numerals: Arabic, luminous
Hour markers: Luminous
Hands: Steel, luminous
Water resistance: 100 meters
Strap: Integrated black tire tread rubber with red inset on black ceramic pin buckle
Crystal: Sapphire, antireflective on both sides
Back: Sapphire, smoked