Introduction.
It is Spring 2020 and we are currently in a state of lockdown across Europe due to the coronavirus (Chovid-19) pandemic. These are scary and uncertain times. As always seems to be the case, people pull together in times of adversity. Schools are closed for at least 6 months. To maintain moral and to keep the little ones, who probably don’t really understand what is going on, occupied someone came up with a brilliant idea while we are all being told to stay at home. Children have been hand drawing rainbows and displaying them in their windows. It is a mark of solidarity, but the rainbow was successfully chosen because it is a cascade of colour that epitomises cheerfulness never seems to fail to delight. When have you ever seen a rainbow in the sky and not gazed in wonderment at this most beautiful of natural phenomena?
Self isolation may seem redolent of imprisonment to many and, although vital, pernicious to our state of mind. Therefore, every little helps. And seeing the bright hand-drawn colours of the local kids is incredibly uplifting.
There is such a study as Colour Psychology, which discusses the mental and emotional effects that different colours create. There are some subjective elements to the study but there is also a lot that has been proven. There are commonly noted psychological effects of colour as it relates to two main categories: warm and cool. Warm colours, such as red, yellow and orange can generate emotions like comfort and warmth. Cool colours, for example green, blue and purple can create an emotion of calmness.
Graham Watches have recognised this inherent generating of sensations through the visual intake of differing layers of the rainbow with their bold and bright new additions to their flagship Chronofighter Superlight range.
There are five bright and cheerful models to choose from:
2CCBK.O01A – Chronofighter Superlight Carbon – Orange – £8250
2CCBK.G06A – Chronofighter Superlight Carbon – Green – £8250
2CCBK.V01A – Chronofighter Superlight Carbon – Purple – £8250
2CCBK.B30A – Chronofighter Superlight Carbon – Blue – £8250
2CCBK.B15A – Chronofighter Superlight Carbon – Yellow – £8250
Each example is delivered on a colour coded rubber strap, embossed with a Clous de Paris pattern, plus an alternative black rubber strap with matching stitching, as can be witnessed on the Yellow Superlight Carbon above.
Thoughts and Specification
Like anyone, I am sometimes guilty of capricious behaviour. I wasn’t sure about the Superlight Carbons to start off with. It wasn’t to the point of being sardonic, I was simply uncertain. The colours were just so bright. Hadn’t a cheap fashion brand created something similar for your £150? I’m not normally prone to erratic tendencies, but, as always seems to be the situation with luxury timepieces, getting to hold and wear these vibrant time tellers allows everything to become lucid. It’s the incredible use of 3K carbon fibre that elevates these Chronofighters to the upper echelons, of not only Graham Watches’ current catalogue, but chronographs in general. 3K means there are 3,000 filaments per tow, which is reassuring. All I know is it looks gorgeous and the triumphant bezel instantaneously draws you in. Followed by the dial, buckle and proprietary chronograph trigger mechanism in the same high-tech material.
The famous chronograph trigger mechanism in full carbon fibre
Even the pin buckle is full carbon fibre.
Carbon fibre is one of those rare man-made materials that proffer special attributes whilst being glorious to behold. The ever-changing chameleon-like effervescence of the carbon weave allows it to draw attention to itself against the audacious colours.
The case is made of a light weight black carbon composite.
The dial consists of the 3K carbon fibre, mentioned above, with snailed running seconds and reversed chronograph minute sub dials. A tachymeter scale is included at the outer edge of the dial, in the opted colour. A discrete date window is included in the unusual position between 8 and 9 O’clock.
These radiant hues can uplift the most drab of sartorial selections.
The carbon fibre and carbon composite allow these oversized watches to be worn with considerable ease. The 47mm case could easily become fatiguing in heavier materials but the lack of weight ensures long time comfort. There is also an inherent scratch resistance with carbon fibre and carbon composite that offers another kind of comfort: peace of mind. A watch always looks its best when it is brand new and gleaming, straight from the showroom. The sheer elation of initial ownership of one of these covetable timepieces could be diluted as soon as the watch becomes scuffed or scratched. Joy of joys then, this is very unlikely to happen during ownership. Your sparkly new Chronofighter Superlight Carbon should look as luxuriously stupendous upon its millionth scrutiny as the very first time it captured your heart and imagination, giving you infinite gratification.
White Superluminova® is applied to the hands and numerals to offer an alternative semblance of colour after dark.
The Graham G1747 automatic chronograph movement can be viewed through the smoked sapphire glass exhibition caseback. This reliable work-horse of a movement has been beautifully detailed, runs at 28000 vph, has an Incabloc shock absorber and 25 jewels.
The Chronofighter Superlight Carbon is certified Chronofiable®, which means the watch is submitted to 20000 shocks ranging from 250 to 5500 m/s² (25.5 to 560.7g), to angular acceleration, to moisture and to temperatures ranging from 0°C (32°F) to 57°C (134.6°F) and puts the chronograph functions through 3000 operation cycles of start-stop-reset. The case is water resistant to 100m.
Conclusion
The Chronofighter Superlight Carbon is desirable on so many levels and not just those bold colours that originally ensnare the potential owner like the bioluminescense of a deep sea creature below the photic zone.
The carbon fibre and carbon composite throughout speaks of technical brilliance that permits the owner to wear their featherweight wrist watch in everyday situations without diminishing the joy of ownership and intrinsic value at point of purchase as a result of becoming second hand in appearance.
The colours of the Superlight Carbon family are so bright they could be used as PPE. Ninjas and Snipers need not apply.
So, given that I have extolled multiple virtues on carbon fibre and carbon composite materials why are they not more ubiquitous in the world we live in? Simple. It is labour intensive and expensive to produce this wonder polymer. Its properties are incredibly suitable for the luxury watch industry. However, full carbon fibre/carbon composite watches are still a rare breed because the costs often elevate a timepiece within a brand to a position that is not viable. Graham Watches are unique in their own right, with their proprietary trigger mechanism foremost, and can, therefore, justify having a range of watches that retail over the £8000 mark. Given all that the Chronofighter Superlight Carbon comprises, including exclusivity, the price is justified. The very same materials are used for the case, trigger and bezel of Graham’s range topping Tourbillograph.
The Chronofighter Superlight Carbon Toubillograph – 2CCBK.B35A – £24950
I often talk about the function of a watch. Most are apparent, for example GMT’s, Chronographs, Dive Watches, etc. Whilst being an incredible utilitarian tool watch the main function of the Chronofighter Superlight Carbon Colour series is to make you feel good. Mission accomplished.
