The convergence of high-performance material science and traditional Swiss watchmaking has given rise to some of the most audacious and technically impressive timepieces in modern horology. In this arena of innovation, Graham has carved out a distinct identity, and its latest creation, the Chronofighter Superlight Carbon Skeleton Translucent Orange, stands as a bold testament to this forward-thinking approach. This is a watch that doesn't whisper its presence; it announces it with a vibrant display of color, texture, and mechanical intricacy, all while weighing almost nothing on the wrist.
The Graham name carries a significant horological legacy, tracing its roots back to the 18th-century English master watchmaker, George Graham. Revered as the "father of the chronograph," his inventions laid the groundwork for modern time-recording complications. The contemporary Graham brand channels this inventive spirit, not by recreating historical pieces, but by reimagining the chronograph for a modern audience. The most iconic element of this reinterpretation is the signature trigger system, a feature that defines the Chronofighter collection and transforms the entire ergonomic experience of using a chronograph.
Courtesy of Graham
At the core of this particular model's identity is its remarkable case construction. Measuring a substantial 47mm in diameter, a size that would typically suggest significant heft, the watch defies expectations. The entire timepiece weighs less than 100 grams, a feat achieved through the use of cutting-edge materials. The case body is not milled from steel or titanium but is instead formed from a specialized epoxy resin. This isn't just any polymer; it has been infused with a brilliant orange dye and interspersed with metallised carbon fibers, creating a material that is both incredibly strong and shockingly light.
Visually, the case material is a spectacle in itself. The translucent orange resin allows light to penetrate its surface, giving the watch an internal glow. Suspended within this vibrant matrix are fragments of carbon fiber, each catching the light at a different angle. The metallised finish on these fibers, described as a bronze-tinted metallization, provides a subtle, warm contrast against the bright orange, adding depth and a sense of contained energy. To ensure the color remains true and vibrant over time, the resin composite is mixed with an anti-UV additive, protecting it from the fading effects of sunlight.
Dominating the left side of the case is the feature most synonymous with the Graham brand: the patented fast-action start/stop trigger. This large lever, designed for instinctive thumb operation, is crafted from black 3K carbon fiber. The distinctive weave of the carbon is visible, providing a stark, technical contrast to the translucent orange of the main case. This trigger is not merely a stylistic flourish; it is a functional component engineered for rapid and precise activation of the chronograph, a nod to the precision timing instruments that inspired its design. It transforms the interaction with the watch from a delicate fingertip press to a confident, assertive action.
Courtesy of Graham
Complementing the high-tech case and trigger are the bezel and reset pusher, which continue the theme of advanced materials and thoughtful design. The fixed bezel is also fabricated from black 3K carbon, its matte, woven texture framing the dial and reinforcing the watch's lightweight, performance-oriented character. Located above the crown, the chronograph reset pusher is made of black rubber, providing a soft-touch counterpoint to the hard carbon and resin. Its surface is decorated with a "Clous de Paris" pattern, a traditional guilloché technique featuring small, pyramidal hobnails. Here, it is applied for a functional purpose, offering enhanced grip for secure operation.
The face of the watch is a captivating mechanical landscape. The dial is fully skeletonized, forgoing a traditional solid surface to offer an unobstructed view into the heart of the movement. This open-worked design reveals the intricate dance of gears, bridges, and levers. Prominently displayed is the balance wheel and its escapement, the regulating organ of the watch, oscillating at a rapid pace. This dynamic view provides a constant reminder of the complex mechanical engine driving the hands.
Despite the visual complexity of the skeletonized movement, legibility is maintained through clear design choices. The main graduation for the minutes is printed in white Super-LumiNova, offering a bright glow in low-light conditions. The large, sword-like hour and minute hands are also generously filled with this luminescent material. To distinguish the chronograph functions, the central chronograph seconds hand, the 30-minute counter hand, and the small running seconds hand are all rendered in a vibrant red, creating an immediate visual separation from the primary time-telling hands.
Courtesy of Graham
Powering this intricate machine is the Calibre G1790, an automatic skeleton chronograph movement developed or adapted exclusively for Graham. The movement is a piece of mechanical art, with black and rhodium-plated components that have been finished with hand-drawn strokes, giving the surfaces a unique, artisanal texture. The balance bridges and main plates are extensively open-worked to enhance the skeletonized effect, removing all non-essential material to improve the view and reduce weight.
The engineering of the G1790 is robust and reliable. It operates at a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour, or 4Hz, a modern standard that contributes to greater accuracy. The mechanism is protected from life's bumps and jolts by an Incabloc shock absorber system. Comprising 29 jewels to reduce friction on critical moving parts, the movement provides a healthy power reserve of 48 hours when fully wound, ensuring it will keep running even if set down for a weekend.
Even the oscillating weight, the semi-circular mass that winds the mainspring with the motion of the wearer's wrist, has received special attention. It features the same hand-drawn stroke decoration as the bridges, along with a snailed finish on its external segment, demonstrating a commitment to aesthetic detail throughout every layer of the calibre. This attention to finishing underscores the Swiss craftsmanship housed within the avant-garde case.
Protecting the complex dial is a domed sapphire crystal, a material prized in watchmaking for its extreme scratch resistance, second only to diamond. To ensure maximum clarity and eliminate distracting reflections that could obscure the view of the skeletonized movement, the crystal is treated with an anti-reflective coating on both its inner and outer surfaces. This dual coating makes the crystal seem to disappear at certain angles, offering a direct, uninhibited look at the mechanics beneath.
Courtesy of Graham
Turning the watch over reveals a smoked sapphire crystal case back, continuing the theme of transparency. This exhibition back provides a secondary view of the Calibre G1790, showcasing the decorated rotor and the reverse side of the intricate bridgework. The perimeter of the case back is engraved with key information, including an orange "superlight carbon" inscription that proudly declares the watch's primary attribute.
The watch's water resistance is rated to 100 meters, or 330 feet. This level of protection ensures it is safe from splashes, rain, and can even be worn for swimming, making it a surprisingly practical and durable timepiece despite its intricate, open-worked nature and exotic materials. This capability adds a layer of versatility, moving it beyond a piece of pure mechanical art to a watch built for active wear.
The connection to the wrist is handled by a custom-designed integrated black rubber strap. The term "integrated" signifies that the strap is engineered to flow seamlessly from the lines of the case and lugs, creating a unified and cohesive look. The surface of the rubber strap is embossed with the same "Clous de Paris" hobnail pattern found on the reset pusher, creating a pleasing textural and visual harmony between the two components.
Securing the strap is a pin buckle that eschews standard steel for a frame made of black 3K carbon. This choice ensures that every possible component contributes to the superlight objective. It is a final, confirming detail that reinforces the watch's identity, proving that the commitment to advanced, lightweight materials extends to even the smallest elements of its construction.
Courtesy of Graham
Graham’s operational philosophy adds another layer to the ownership experience. The brand emphasizes that each watch is assembled to order by its watchmakers in their own production facilities in La Chaux-de-Fonds, the heart of the Swiss watchmaking industry. This "Working With Our Heart" approach suggests a more personal connection between the creator and the final product, a departure from mass-production and a return to a more focused, craft-oriented process.
For those interested in acquiring this piece of wearable technology, it is positioned as a premium offering in the brand’s catalog. With a regular price of $15,950.00, it competes in the highly contested luxury sports watch segment. Given that the watches are assembled for each order, prospective buyers can anticipate a direct relationship with the brand or its authorized dealers, ensuring they receive a freshly constructed timepiece built with care in the Swiss Jura mountains.
Case: 47mm superlight case made of epoxy resin with orange dye and metallised carbon fibers; Black 3K carbon bezel and patented fast-action start/stop trigger; Black rubber reset pusher with “Clous de Paris” grip; Domed sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating; Smoked sapphire crystal case back; Water resistance rated to 100m / 330ft.
Movement: Calibre G1790 automatic skeleton chronograph; 48-hour power reserve; 29 jewels; 28,800 A/h (4Hz) frequency; Incabloc shock absorber; Black & rhodium finished movement with hand-drawn strokes decoration.
Dial: Black skeleton dial with a view of the movement; White Super-LumiNova on graduation, hour, and minute hands; Red hands for the chronograph seconds, 30-minute counter, and running seconds.
Strap: Integrated black rubber strap with “Clous de Paris” texture; Black 3K carbon pin buckle.
Price: $15,950.00
Reference Number: 2CCCK.O01A
Notes: The total weight of the watch is less than 100 grams. The case material is infused with an anti-UV additive to protect the orange color. Each watch is assembled to order in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland.