Graham

Who are Graham?

Graham is a Swiss watch company based in La Chaux-de-Fonds, founded in 1995 by Eric Loth and named after George Graham, an English clockmaker who worked in London and died in 1751 (Monochrome Watches; Wikipedia). Graham watches are known mainly for the Chronofighter, a chronograph with a large trigger on the left of the case. This page covers the history, the collections and who owns the company, then what to check when buying a Graham watch second-hand in the UK.

The two are linked by name, not by an unbroken business. Graham says the name “left the scene for a long period” before the 1995 revival (Graham), and the Swiss company’s registered purpose includes using the names of 17th- and 18th-century English master watchmakers whose trademarks it owns (Swiss commercial register).

The history of Graham

Graham has two histories: the life of George Graham, a London clockmaker of the early 18th century, and the Swiss company that took his name in 1995. The key dates are Graham’s partnership with Thomas Tompion (about 1711), his death (1751), the founding of the modern company (1995) and the Chronofighter (2001).

George Graham. Graham was born in Kirklinton, Cumberland, in 1673 (possibly 1675), and left for London on foot in 1688 to become an apprentice clockmaker (Wikipedia). From around 1711 he was in partnership with Thomas Tompion, whose niece he married and whose successor he became (Wikipedia). He was made Master of the Worshipful Company of Clockmakers in 1722, was a Fellow of the Royal Society, and on his death in 1751 was buried in the same tomb as Tompion in Westminster Abbey (Wikipedia). Europa Star describes him as the first watchmaker accepted as a fellow of the Royal Society.

What he is credited with. Graham is often credited with introducing the deadbeat escapement for clocks around 1715, though Wikipedia says it was invented around 1675 by Richard Towneley and first used by Tompion in 1676. He is also credited with the mercury pendulum and improvements to the orrery (Wikipedia). Thomas Mudge, later the inventor of the lever escapement, was his apprentice from 1730 to 1738 (Wikipedia).

The 1695 date. The modern brand dates its name to London in 1695 and its revival to 1995, 300 years later, and it uses 1695 in its web address and on its Chronofighter 1695 (Graham; Monochrome Watches). Wikipedia does not say what happened in 1695.

The Swiss company. Eric Loth founded the modern brand in 1995 (Monochrome Watches); Graham itself says it was revived by “a group of Swiss and British” enthusiasts in Switzerland (Graham). In 2007 Europa Star reported that the business, then called The British Masters and run by Loth as chief executive, owned both the Graham and Arnold & Son names and had five investors, one of them Mr Asprey of the London retailer Asprey. Arnold & Son says it became part of Manufacture La Joux-Perret in 2010 (Arnold & Son), and it is now a separate company; see our Arnold & Son page. The Chronofighter followed in 2001 (Monochrome Watches). In 2010 Loth stepped back from day-to-day management after 15 years as chief executive, remaining a key shareholder and board member, with William Asprey as chairman (Worldtempus). Graham marked its 25th anniversary in 2020 (Graham).

What is Graham known for?

Graham is known for large chronographs with controls on the left of the case, starting with the Chronofighter.

The trigger. The Chronofighter, launched in 2001 at 43mm, has a lever on the left that starts and stops the chronograph with the thumb (Monochrome Watches). The idea comes from timers used by bomber crews in the Second World War, which had large levers that could be worked in thick gloves; SJX Watches notes such timers were made by Longines, Zenith and Universal Genève. SJX also reports that the lever was widely copied after the launch.

Left-hand controls. Later models kept the controls on the left. The Fortress has a single pusher in the crown on the left of a 47mm steel case, which starts, stops and resets the chronograph (duPont Registry, presented by Graham); Graham describes it as an aviator’s watch (Graham). The Swordfish is the exception: its 2018 versions moved the crown and pushers to the right (Monochrome Watches).

Movements. Graham uses its own calibre numbers on movements from the Valjoux 7750 family. The original Chronofighter used the automatic, COSC-certified calibre G1722 (Monochrome Watches); the Chronofighter Vintage uses the G1747, a modified Valjoux 7750 (SJX Watches); and the 2018 Swordfish uses the G1710, based on the Valjoux 7753 (Monochrome Watches). Our guide to COSC certification explains what a chronometer certificate means.

Size. Graham watches are large: 44mm for the Chronofighter Vintage, 46mm for the 2018 Swordfish and 47mm for the Fortress and the Superlight Carbon Skeleton (SJX Watches; Monochrome Watches; duPont Registry; Escapement). Our watch sizing guide explains how to judge fit before you buy.

Which Graham collections are there?

Graham lists Chronofighter Vintage, Chronofighter Superlight, Swordfish and Fortress, with an archive section for earlier models (Graham). The collections table on this page gives what we could source for each. Points that help when reading listings:

• Chronofighter versions. The name covers many models over 25 years, from the 43mm original of 2001 to the 44mm Vintage of 2016 (Monochrome Watches; SJX Watches). Read the full reference, not just “Chronofighter”.
• Limited editions. Graham makes many short runs, such as the four 15-piece Chronofighter Vintage dials of 2016, the 33-piece Swordfish editions of 2018 and the 25-piece anniversary Chronofighter of 2020 (SJX Watches; Monochrome Watches). Match the edition number to the papers.
• Swordfish lenses. The two counters sit under raised lenses that magnify them by about 20% (Monochrome Watches). Check them for chips and scratches.

Who owns Graham?

Graham is privately owned and is not part of a watch group. Graham says it is “still in private hands” (Graham). The company is GRAHAM SA, registered in La Chaux-de-Fonds (Swiss commercial register). In 2010 Worldtempus described founder Eric Loth as a key shareholder and board member and William Asprey as chairman of the board. Graham does not publish its current shareholders.

Buying a Graham watch second-hand in the UK: what to check

Check that the trigger and chronograph work properly, that the reference and any edition number match the papers, when the water resistance was last tested, and run a stolen-watch check before you pay.

1. The chronograph and trigger. Ask the seller to show the chronograph starting, stopping and resetting, and check that the lever moves cleanly. The trigger is the watch’s main feature (Monochrome Watches).

2. Papers and the full set. Graham’s warranty runs for two years from the purchase date recorded in the warranty document, and servicing is stamped on its “Maintenance” page (Graham). Ask for that document, and any COSC certificate for chronometer models. Our guide to what “full set” means explains what each item proves.

3. Warranty conditions. Graham’s warranty excludes repairs on watches bought from anyone other than an official Graham SA agent, and damage from work by unauthorised third parties (Graham). Ask where the watch was first bought and who has worked on it. See watch warranties explained.

4. Water resistance. Graham recommends a water-resistance test every two years, and its warranty does not cover water damage if those tests were not done (Graham). Ask when the last test was. Our guide to water resistance explains what to ask.

5. Servicing. Graham says servicing must be done by an authorised Graham SA retailer, distributor or service centre (Graham). Ask for the service history.

6. Authenticity. Buy from a seller who will put authenticity in writing and accept returns. Our guide on how to spot a fake watch covers what a watchmaker looks at.

7. Stolen-watch check. Check the serial number against a stolen-watch register before you pay. Our stolen-watch check guide lists the UK registers.

For the full process from setting a budget to collecting the watch, see the guide to buying a luxury watch.

Frequently asked questions

Is Graham a British watch brand?

No. Graham is a Swiss company based in La Chaux-de-Fonds, founded in 1995 (Graham; Monochrome Watches). It is named after George Graham, an English clockmaker who worked in London (Wikipedia).

Who was George Graham?

A clockmaker born in Cumberland in 1673, partner and successor of Thomas Tompion in London, and a Fellow of the Royal Society, buried in Westminster Abbey in 1751 (Wikipedia).

Is the Graham company descended from George Graham’s business?

No. The name was revived in 1995 after a long absence (Graham), and the company owns it as a trademark (Swiss commercial register).

Why does Graham use 1695?

Graham dates its name to London in 1695 and its revival to 1995, 300 years later (Graham).

Who owns Graham?

Graham is privately owned (Graham). In 2010 founder Eric Loth was described as a key shareholder (Worldtempus).

Why is the Graham Chronofighter’s trigger on the left?

It is based on Second World War bomb timers with large levers that crews could work in gloves (SJX Watches; Monochrome Watches).

Does Graham make its own movements?

Graham uses its own calibre numbers on movements based on the Valjoux 7750 family (SJX Watches; Monochrome Watches).

How big are Graham watches?

Large. Current models run from 44mm for the Chronofighter Vintage to 47mm for the Fortress and the Superlight Carbon Skeleton (SJX Watches; Monochrome Watches; duPont Registry; Escapement).

What is the Graham Fortress?

A 47mm monopusher chronograph with its single pusher set in the crown on the left of the case, presented in 2021 and described by Graham as an aviator’s watch (duPont Registry, presented by Graham).

This page is general information. Watch60 is independent and has no commercial relationship with Graham.

We check the facts on this page against the sources listed, and it is correct to the best of our knowledge as of October 2026. Brands change their warranty, servicing and sales terms, so confirm them with the brand or the seller before you buy.