The Anglo-Saxon watchmaker presents the Flying Forties in watch form with a new limited edition series of watches with four lovely pinup models posing on the dial.

You can always leave it to Graham to make a solid chronograph. After all, the brand traces its origins all the way back to London clockmaker George Graham, who made a name for himself back in the 17th century and is regarded in some circles as the “father of the chronograph”.

As a modern watchmaker, Graham was rebooted in 1995, and since then the Ango-Saxon brand has called La Chaux-de-Fonds in Switzerland its home. They now produce some atypical contemporary timepieces, one of which is the Chronofighter Vintage Nose Art we have here.

The Chronofighter series is the brand’s most recognizable. Since it was introduced about a decade and a half ago, it has seen a variety of iterations, all of which can be called distinctive and perhaps even intimidating. Within the range, the Chronofighter Vintage models are a nice mix of the popular vintage look and contemporary styling.

The Chronofighter Vintage Nose Art edition retains the bold case design that the collection is known for, including the imposing chronograph pushers and crown. Those design choices were an intentional throwback to the times when the original Chronofighter was released. We’re seeing in this watch are design elements borrowed from stopwatches that were used by pilots during World War Two.

The watchmaker has taken its homage to the World War Two era even further with the new Chronofighter Vintage Nose Art Ltd. The four-piece limited edition adds a bit of glamour to the timepiece with some nostalgic “Nose Art” – illustration that first appeared on military planes in the 1940s to boost military morale.

Each watch has a pinup model on the right hand side of the dial, meant to tease and please the wearer when consulting the time. We have the option of Sally, Anna, Lilly or Nina to keep us on track, or at least provide a welcome distraction from a hectic day.

The lovely pinups of the Chronofighter Vintage Nose Art add a bit more levity and colour to the Vintage range of timepieces. And with them, Graham is reminding us once again of their passion for military heroes and solid chronograph design.

Technical information

Functions:

• Chronograph (seconds, 30 minutes counter)
• Day-date at 9 o’clock Hours, minutes, seconds

Calibre:

• G1747, automatic chronograph 28’800 A/h (4Hz)
• Incabloc shock absorber 25 jewels
• Power reserve: 48 hours

Case:

• 44 mm steel
• Steel fast-action start / stop trigger and reset pusher
• Domed sapphire crystal, anti-reflective coating
• See-through sapphire crystal case back

Bezel:

• Steel

Water resistance:

• 330 feet / 100 m / 10 bar

Dial:

• Black / blue sunbrushed dial with painted pin-up girls
• White Super-LumiNova hands, numerals and indexes
• White varnish chrono hand with red tip Rhodiated minutes and seconds’ counters hands