Graham watches of London is the official “timing partner” of the Mercedes GP Petronas Formula One race team. That means at least a few people there get cool Graham watches, and Graham gets to make another racing themed timepiece. There are two relatively new watches for the partnership. The Mercedes GP Trackmaster (sounds like an outfit from the 80’s doesn’t it) looks very little like many other Graham watches that people associate with the brand. Think of the large lefty triggered Chronofighter watch. For the Mercedes GP Petronas watch, Graham gave their Trackmaster watch an interesting treatment, but adding dauphine style hands, that are usually found on more “formal” timepieces. I suppose it has to so with the Mercedes Benz culture. Graham also says that the hands look like the points on the Mercedes three-pointed star. What is 100% Graham is the design of the subsidiary chronograph dials. There is also the very similar Graham Mercedes GP Silverstone Chronograph, which has a similar, but amended style, along with a different movement layout.

The case of the Trackmaster, in steel, is a large 47mm wide with a grated style bezel pattern that shows up again on the large chronograph pushers. Actually, the bezel design isn’t that crude – and isn’t meant to be a nail file (though it sort of looks that way). The design is actually a “clous du Paris” style engraving. The design looks less cartoonish than most other Graham designs, but still has a bubbly “largeness” to it. There are two dial versions of the watchs. One in carbon fiber, and another in silvery steel. The dial has a nicely legible minute counter on the flange ring in black, and applied metal Arabic hour markers. I am really fascinated by all the little details that went into the watch being a combo of a super sports watch, and a dressy timepiece. I think Graham has Chopard Mille Miglia watches in mind when tackling this design. Look even at the polished, curved lug design – looks a lot more classy than sport right?

Just a bit larger, the Silverstone is 48mm wide in a similarly designed case, but with a smooth bezel that has a tachymeter scale on it. You also have applied baton versus Arabic hour markers.

Graham couldn’t resist giving the watches another tire tread strap. I mean, those tread straps look nice , but am I wrong for wanting the brands to shake it up a bit with the rubber pattern? The Mercedes GP Trackmaster watch includes a Graham Caliber G1734 automatic chronograph movement that is a base ETA Valjoux 7750.  Interestingly enough I don’t think the watch is a limited edition, and will be priced at 6,300 Swiss Francs. The Graham Mercedes GP Silverstone Chronograph also has a Valjoux 7750 – but with a fuller layout and retails for 6,400 Swiss Francs.

Technical specs from Graham:

MERCEDES GP TRACKMASTER

Functions:
Automatic chronograph
Right-hand side start/stop lever and reset button
Central chronograph second hand
30 minutes counter at 3 o’clock
60 seconds counter at 9 o’clock
Hours and minutes from the centre
Date at 7 o’clock

Movement:
Automatic bi-compax chronograph
Calibre G1734
Frequency: 28’800 A/h (4 Hz)
27 jewels

Power reserve: 50 hours

Case:
Steel bezel with “Clous de Paris” decoration
Stainless steel lever and reset button
Diameter: 47 mm
Thickness: 17.02 mm
Water resistance: 330 feet (100 metres)

Dial:
Black carbon dial (2MEAS.B01A)
Silver dial (2MEAS.S01A)
Black, silver and green colors related to the official Mercedes GP Petronas logo colors. Black snailed minutes counter with silver rim and silver arrows for minute scale. Black snailed seconds counter with internal Mercedes GP Petronas green rim and external silver rim.
Silver brass numerals and indexes
White Mercedes GP inscription at 5 o’clock (2MEAS.B01A)
Black Mercedes GP inscription at 5 o’clock (2MEAS.S01A)

Hands:
Silver brass central hours, minutes and chronograph seconds hands ?Red 30 minutes counter hand
White Super-LumiNova with red tip sweep second hand

Glass:
Domed sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating on both sides
See-through sapphire crystal case-back with printed “Mercedes GP Petronas Formula One Team” logo, secured by 6 screws

Strap: Integrated black tyre tread rubber

Buckle: Pin buckle

Reference:
2MEAS.B01A (Black dial)
2MEAS.S01A (Silver dial)

Public price: 6’300 CHF

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