Graham Fortress Ltd fake is the latest creation from the Anglo-Swiss watch brand known for its unusual ‘trigger’ mechanism. However, this new model eschews the fabled trigger in favor of a single button/crown. Will this model be the new face of Graham?

Some brands apply one or more stylistic elements to a product or its packaging, making it easy to identify. The silhouette of the Porsche 911 is different from other cars, different from others. The Waddle Skirt bottle will forever be associated with Coca-Cola. A red pocket knife is always called a Swiss Army Knife. When it comes to watchmaking, Graham will forever be associated with chronograph triggers.

The Swiss watch brand has equipped numerous chronographs with triggers that protrude from the left side of the case. Positioning the trigger on the left makes sense, and in fact, it’s designed to be that way. When evaluating the human hand, the thumb is the fastest finger. In military aircraft, weapons are carried out using the thumb. Graham’s trigger is ergonomically designed to accommodate the thumb for intuitive and quick operation. This is crucial.

When using a chronograph, if the elapsed time to be recorded is correlated, the time interval between observing the event and starting the button needs to be as small as possible. By equipping various models with the iconic trigger, Graham has significantly increased the value of the chrono complication. In addition, by positioning the trigger (which also includes the crown) on the left side, the arm can be easily flexed, so it does not affect the wearer’s comfort. The chronograph is reset via a separate pusher at 10 o’clock.

In terms of trigger design, “form follows function”. By seeking the best way to start a chronograph, Graham created a look that differentiates his product.

With everyone talking about triggers so far, it may come as a surprise to learn that the brand’s latest model, Graham Fortress Ltd, eschews actuation in favor of a single button/crown. In the center of the fluted crown of the model is a button that allows the wearer to start, stop and reset the stopwatch functions. The single button/crown is located on the left side of the case, adhering to Graham’s design language and taking advantage of the aforementioned ergonomic advantages.

Reading Graham’s press release, there’s a degree of mystery surrounding the inspiration behind the name “Fortress.” Is it a reference to the 1930s Flying Fortress or is it designed to convey the robustness of the model? One thing’s for sure, fake Graham Fortress Ltd looks solid and ready to take on the world.

This new timepiece is masculine in a 47mm stainless steel case. The rhodium-plated “Modern” hour and minute hands are treated with a beige Super-LumiNova luminous coating and efficiently switch with matching attractive Arabic numerals. Small seconds at 3 o’clock and 30-minute chronograph at 6 o’clock. Finally, the date display at 9 o’clock completes the list of features of this model. All signs are very clear.

What’s in the name? The Fortress lives up to Graham’s fondness for aviation-themed product names. Maybe its moniker is a hat-off to the Flying Fortress of the 1930s? Alternatively, the word “fort” might conjure up images of military fortresses or castles, and by default conjure up strong castle-like buildings and impenetrable structures. All of these associations are consistent with the tough nature of this new Graham model.

However, while this introduction might fit a marketing brief, it doesn’t convey the real Graham. To truly understand the watch brands of La Chaux-de-Fonds, one has to think like Graham, that is, not conform to the rules, not accept mediocrity; be brave and brave. If the sign says “Keep away from the grass,” put on a pair of big boots and do a hop on the grass. If other brands choose to place the buttons on the right side of the case, break the rules and take the left side approach.

In fact, when you look at Graham’s new Fortress, you’ll notice the single button on the left side of the case. This single pusher is located at the top of the crown and is used to start, stop and reset the chronograph. This is your one-stop shop for all your stopwatch needs. By combining it with the crown, it gives the case a clean, uncluttered profile.

But left field designs can also be very logical. The pusher on the left side of the case is more intuitive to use. When using a chronograph, the wearer observes the start of an event, activates the stopwatch function, and then stops the timer when the event ends. The underlying problem is the human factor, the time lag between seeing the event and pressing the button. The shorter the interval between observation and button press, the more effective the elapsed time recorded. The thumb is the fastest finger, so with this design, right-handed people will instinctively put their fullest finger on the button and tap it at lightning speed.

Another major benefit of placing the combined crown and single button on the left side is that it is very comfortable for the wearer. Often, when a watch is worn and the wearer bends the wrist, the protrusion on the right side of the case can scratch the wrist, scratch the skin, or hinder free movement. Fortress’ left-field approach does not cause such problems.

The black grained dial features striking luminous hour and minute hands with generous applied Arabic numerals that give it meaning. The dial features two round brushed chronograph counters, a small seconds display at 3 o’clock and a 30-minute chronograph at 6 o’clock. The date display is located near the single button/crown. Housed in a 47mm stainless steel case, the generous proportions give the wrist an impressive presence, while the exhibition caseback lets you see the Fortress’ Swiss automatic movement.

The rebellious company doesn’t like fancy marketing, choosing to focus on making great fake watches with a rich personality. In fact, the Graham Fortress Ltd is a serious watch from a company that still knows how to have fun.