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Graham watches are famous for their jumbo-sized lever-actuated pusher (example after the jump). It’s an ergonomically sound, love it or hate it design. Members of the latter camp will be pleased to learn that not all Graham timepieces look like an M61 fragmentation hand grenade. The 42mm Graham Silverstone RS (above) makes do with ginormous trad pushers. Shopworn’s selling the Silverstone for $3,575, down from . . .
$8,670. That’s a 59 percent discount off the manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP), before deducting another 30 percent using the code GRAHAM30 at checkout. (Valid until the 26th of February. No financial consideration provided to TTAW by Shopworn for this article). Mind you . . .
Retail prices are often nothing more than marketing. There are plenty of watches (e.g., Bulova) where MSRP is never the actual price. Also worth noting: this Graham is “shopworn” – a never-worn watch that may have been handled in-store.
The Silverstone RS is powered by the Graham Calibre G1738 (ETA/Valjoux 7750 base), one of several 7750 Graham chronographs on sale at Shopworn. The selection’s part of their agreement to sell dust-collecting inventory from Graham dealers for an agreed price in an agreed market. But wait! There’s more!
Graham Chronofighter Target Chronograph Automatic – $3,450
The Chronofighter Chronograph sports Graham watches’ aforementioned “grenade style” chrono lever (the timer reset lives at the 10 o’ clock). This isn’t a watch for shrinking violets. Not only is the lever 3/4 as large as the dial, the dial clocks in at an epic 47mm.
Look closely and you can see that the day/date wheel is on the move, and only partially obscured by the frosted crystal. A Concepto/Valjoux 7750 movement powers the Chronofighter’s 30-minute timer. Fortunately, boiled eggs only take 12 minutes.
Silverstone Time Zone GMT Automatic – $2,250
Since 1995, Graham watches have gone their own way – even when they try to tone it down for a more classical look. To wit: the 42mm Time Zone GMT puts the date at the 7 o’ clock. Where have we seen that before? *crickets chirping*
The skeletonized GMT hand is an anathema to red – green color blind buyers, but far-sighted collectors will appreciate the GMT’s proportions (the strap’s buckle is big enough to double as a toddler’s seat belt). The carbon fiber weave dial says Pagani Zonda, a carmaker that uses AMG engines made by . . .
Graham Watches Mercedes GP Silverstone Chronograph Automatic – $3,350
Even amongst Graham watches’ funky AF timepieces, the Mercedes GP stands apart. It’s a panda-faced watch Jim, but not as we know it. The date complication – using a module made by La Joux Perret – moves to the 9 o’ clock (just because) and the main hands disappear. JK. I’m reasonably sure it’s a photo issue.
The GP’s another 7750 caliber contender: a pie plate on your wrist stretching the boundaries of time and space at a Panerai pleasing 48mm. Which makes legibility a non-issue for Graham’s 12-hour chronograph. Or any of their other watches, come to think of it.
As the man who founded FedEx opined, the trick to competing successfully isn’t to do things better than the other guy. It’s to do things differently. Quick question: at what price would a Graham watch become a no-brainer?
The day wheel seems to be “stuck” between days (Saturday / Sunday) in the photo of the Graham Chronofighter Target Chronograph Automatic.
That watch is so “chrono,” they said it twice in the name! Is it a fighter? Or a grapher?
And, the Mercedes Silverstone…. What time is it? I don’t know!
I have no idea who the chronograph customer is, beyond people that just think more complicated is more better. If a stopwatch is needed, get a hand-held one for $20. The whole concept of them as luxury goods stupefies me, as what is the luxury in doing Gilbrethian motion studies or whatever?
The 7 o’clock date window, like any oddball placement, always makes me wonder what is involved with printing a new date wheel. Theirs obviously is radially aligned so ideal 6 o’clock placement, tolerable on the lower third. The blackening of the GMT hand to match the dial is good practice though.
I’m surprised to see the date centered but the day in transition. I figured those were geared together. I do like how the one Mercedes GP back shot still bears the protective sticker. To answer question, the two functioning chronos I have are both digital. I doubt mechanical price will dip below that, so it’s moot.
Chrongraphs are surprisingly handy. I never bought a chronograph, on the assumption that more complications on a watch meant that more things could fail or break. I got a chronograph watch as a gift, and later bought a bullhead, and I’ve discovered that if I’m wearing one, I’ll use the chronograph function when a small task needs to be timed for whatever reason. That said, a proper chronograph (one where the center second hand tracks the seconds elapsed when the button is pressed, not the seconds subdial) is better suited for that purpose. Casio has some nice looking chronographs for under $50 on amazon.
I’ve had a Casio chronograph for ~25 years. All I ever did with it was say “Let’s time this slow line or late person” and then forget about it. Where sub-minute accuracy is notrequired, I find the dive bevel as a start time marker more useful. But that’s just me.
It’s a cool watch. I happen to have one in my watch shaker.
Thanks for commenting, spambot!
Farago, I went on to have a closer look at that damn kooky-cool Graham Silverstone on Shopworn. Turns out it IS a fragment of that hand grenade you mentioned as it clocks in at 48mm. Given its dangerous roots, I had to step back and look for other fun gifts elsewhere.
The ETA/Valjoux chronograph movement is a great, repairable, durable movement. Longines makes the best versions, adding a column wheel for a while now, and a silicon balance spring in recent releases.
These Graham watches are not at that level, and are more comparable to Tissot and Hamilton 7750 based chronographs.
Given the size and style limitations of these Graham watches I would not pay more than the ~$700 – $800 that the better looking, better sized Tissot T1004271105100 is selling for on multiple sites.
Above should read that the ETA/Valjoux 7750 chronograph movement is a great, repairable, durable movement.
Oh hey there, another-watch-blog-pimping-watchseller! How about calling this a sponsored post, or an ad? Unless they flog you like their free **** and you’re just promoting their products for free. Which would be pretty sad, though also maybe not entirely surpising.
Not sponsored. No money paid. No watches provided. No considerations whatsoever. And you may notice that not all the comments are positive.