Swiss
Back in August 2012, Graham has introduced its sporty Graham Silverstone Stowe Racing Mexico (Ref. 2BLDC.B27A) limited edition chronograph. In October 2012, the British-based brand started selling yet another limited edition version. Designed exclusively for the U.S. market, the new Graham Silverstone Stowe USA Limited Edition (Ref. 2BLDC.W07C.K47S) features a radically different, cool and clean color scheme, as well as another movement.
Although the Mexico Edition model was powered by the Caliber G1734 movement, the USA Edition comes animated by the Caliber G1742 mechanism. Also made in Switzerland by Graham’s long-standing partner, the movement is not new: we have already seen it last year in their vintage-styled Graham Chronofighter Fortress (Ref. 2CRBS.B10A) pilot’s watch.
The other specs, however, remain the same.
The watch still sports an easily readable dial layout with a small seconds indicator placed at 9 hours and the 30-minute chronograph totalizer staying at 3 o’clock. Since the minute track on the bezel flange also works as a scale for the central chronograph hand, both elements are painted with the same electric-blue (or so it looks on my display) color that nicely accentuates the cold, greyish color of the stainless steel alloy used for the case, crown, and chronograph push-pieces.
Even the black ceramic bezel comes with a steel insert with a common tachymeter scale engraved on it.
Of course, measuring an impressive 48 millimeters in diameter, the watch is not for an average person. However, if you happen to be a big guy, this one may be a good choice.
Legibility is also good, since the black Arabic numerals and the hands are not simply painted black, but are in fact covered with black Superluminova that ensures adequate nighttime legibility. For the purposes of this rather brief review, I would give this timekeeper 4.5 stars out of five on the readability scale. And, finishing with dial, the only thing that I don’t like is the way the whole Silverstone line deals with the small date window: although Graham’s designer has tried to make it look good by aligning it with the “7”, it still looks out of place making the dial look even more visually unbalanced.
It is reported that all 50 pieces have already arrived in select shops throughout the United States and are offered to customers at a pretty much impressive price of $8265 USD. Well, I truly hope that the British-based watchmaker will continue to introduce new limited edition models dedicated to different places of the world: perhaps, one day my home city will get one of these, too.
See also: Audemars Piguet Chronographe Royal Oak Offshore Tour Auto 2012 (Ref. 26208ST.00.D305CR.01)
Photos: Graham
Graham Silverstone Stowe USA (Ref. 2BLDC.W07C.K47S) specification
Price: $8265 (MSRP)
Movement: Automatic, Caliber G1742, Swiss Made
Number of jewels: 28
Movement frequency: 28,800 vph
Power reserve: 48 hours
Functions: Hours, minutes, small seconds, date, chronograph
Case: Stainless steel
Bezel: Black ceramic, steel insert
Shape: Round
Size: 48.00 mm
Dial: White with blue accents
Numerals: Arabic, luminous
Hour markers: Luminous
Hands: Steel, luminous
Water resistance: 100 meters
Strap: Integrated black rubber strap with tire tread motif
Crystal: Sapphire, antireflective on both sides, domed
Back: Sapphire