Graham Silverstone Flyback GMT
by Jason Cormier on July 19, 2010
tagged as: flyback Chronograph gmt Graham
Graham has become a legend among watch connoisseurs, a company that produces quirky and beautifully finished watches of the highest quality. Graham is in a unique position in the market, taking the history and prestige of British watchmaking and updating it with Swiss mechanisms and manufacturing. The Silverstone Chronograph that I’ll be featuring in this week’s blog is an excellent example of Graham’s unique styling cues and peerless finishing, the details that have made it a favourite with watch aficionados.
When asked about British watchmaking, most people draw a blank. Perhaps they may recall the invention of the marine chronometer by John Harrison way back in the 1730s. Odds are they will stare at you blankly if you mention the name George Graham. But Graham (the man) was a highly respected and influential watchsmith in the heady days of the 18th century. Graham developed several key innovations that would push watchmaking forward during the 1700s, notably the dead-beat escapement, training the inventor of the now ubiquitous lever escapement, and developing an early chronograph design. He was commissioned to build a clock for the Greenwich Royal Observatory. He even loaned money to the aforementioned Harrison fellow to help fund his chronometer project.
Graham (the company) was founded in 1995 by Eric Loth, under the header of British Masters. BM also manages the Arnold and Son brand; in recent years, Graham has become the sporting arm of BM while Arnold and Son takes care of the classic designs and high-complication watches. Since its rebirth Graham has focussed on making extremely high quality watches worthy of George Graham’s legacy.
Not content with off-the-shelf movement designs, Loth contracted Jacquet Droz to provide highly-finished movements based loosely on Valjoux ebauches (movement bases). The results is a highly precise and extremely reliable movement. Our Silverstone exhibits excellent accuracy, and second-to-none function – the chronograph engages with a light tap of the pusher, and can be stopped and restarted with zero freeplay in the second hand to ensure perfect split-second timing. On top of that this Silverstone has a big-date and GMT function, as well as a flyback mechanism on the chronograph. Everything functions flawlessly – the date and GMT set nicely, the date clicks over instantly at precisely midnight, and the flyback function is extremely precise and instantaneous. Just by handling the watch you know that there is an excellent movement lurking under the colourful dial and beautiful case.
The dial adds a nice splash of colour to the design, featuring a bicompax subdials for the running seconds and chronograph minutes, as well as a blue inner dial that shows the 24 hour GMT index (which is indicated by the tiny yellow hand). The three-tiered tachymeter scale on the dial is coloured dark blue, green and red to distinguish the three levels – an unusual design, as most modern tachymeter indexes only show one level to measure speeds in km/h or mph. Everything is topped off with a nice set of white luminescent hands, with the chronograph seconds had featuring a red tip. The details look classic, but the execution is fun and modern and very easy to read despite the complexity.
Aside from the movement, the case of the Silverstone is a real highlight. It features a trademark tall, tapered bezel around the ever-so-slightly domed sapphire crystal. The main body has a bulbous form set off by a high polish finish, merged into a set of classically styled lugs. While the watch appears enormous in photos, it’s actually a very modest 40mm, but still has a lot of wrist presence owing to the exaggerated details and 15mm thickness. The crown and pushers are solid and big enough to manipulate easily, and the asymmetrical design of the pushers (the start-stop pusher is taller than the reset) is a nice touch. Everything is topped off with a hand-sewn black alligator strap and a nicely designed buckle. And if you are wondering about that little leather bag attached to the buckle, it’s a lead seal formed around the short length of string. To remove it, you need to cut the rope – it’s to ensure that you know when the watch is new and unworn, because you cannot remove the seal without cutting that string. As you may guess, this watch is brand new, never worn, and comes with the box and papers and a one year warranty.
Graham has gone from humble beginnings and a storied past to become a true enthusiast’s brand – a little-known company that produces superb watches with unique designs that have become a favourite of watch lovers. This Silverstone is an excellent example of the quality and finishing we have come to expect from Graham. If you’d like to know more about this watch, or any others we have in stock, give me a call at 514 845 8878 or visit our contact page.
Cheers
Jason Cormier
Beware! The real truth about purchasing a watch outside of Canada
by Dino Standjofski on August 14, 2008
tagged as: graham bell & ross rolex jewelry watches
I know you've been tempted seeing a watch in the islands or at duty free shops. What a great deal, I'll just put it on, and tell customs it's my watch if asked. The reality is, it is a criminal offense to not declare any luxury goods over $2,000.00.
We've had many customers tell us lately, that at the airport, there are plain closed customs agents doing nothing else but checking passengers wrists and neck lines for unclaimed luxury items. It used to be basically a Rolex watch that they could recognize, but they are much more sophisticated and knowledgeable now. High end items have serial numbers, and can be traced to the country to which they were exported. For all you fast talking travelers, even gifts must be declared and have the duties and taxes paid.
Bell & Ross, Glycine, Patek Philippe, Chronoswiss, and Graham are just some of the brands that have been spotted and questioned at customs here in Montreal. So, it's not just the Rolexes and Cartiers that are being stopped.
The result of lying to a customs officer (which, by the way, they are great at spotting) will get you a fine of 50% of the watches value, plus the duties and taxes. If the cost of such an offense isn't enough, it can go on record for 5 years, so your name pops up every time you cross the border. That, to me, is bigger than the dollar amount, the constant hassle of being on the blacklist.
The end result is that buying it from an authorized dealer with a warranty in your own country with all the duties paid is a no brainer and hassle free.
Matt Baily Baselworld Day 1 Report - Alpina and Graham Shine
by Marco Gagliano on April 4, 2008
tagged as: graham alpina baselworld
At the end of Day One of The Fair, Matt throws around a few names including Graham, Alpina products, and Bell & Ross.
The new Graham models really struck Matt as extraordinary timepieces. Models like the Oversize Chronofighter Diver and GMT, and the Swordfish Grillo that have been released over the course of this past year are good indications of what to expect from Graham. New, exclusive calibers are also on the way for these magnificent watches, as a collaboration with a respected, Swiss independent movement manufacturer will strengthen.
At the Alpina booth, Matt was shown the new Avalanche Extreme Regulator. It has a diameter of 46mm, with a brand new dial. The most amazing part of this watch, however, is found inside the case. The Regulator runs on a manufacture movement made by Alpina from the ground up, raising the company to a plateau of prestige with few other century-old Swiss manufactures. The caliber AL-950 movement will be automatic winding, with 25 jewels, and commemorates the company's 125th anniversary. More new models have also been released, and pictures will be available soon.
Finaly, Bell & Ross promises to dazzle with an array of new models that Matt Baily will report on after his official meeting with the company.
