In celebration of their continued partnership with the unique spectacle that is the Isle of Man TT Races Graham release the superb Silverstone Tourist Trophy Limited Edition.  Graham are timing partner of the event and each year design a special limited edition watch to coincide with the races.  Last year’s piece was the big, beefy Chronofighter Oversize TT Bi-Compax – bikers may have found difficulty slipping that huge thumb lever under their leather cuffs -  but the 2011 watch is part of the Silverstone Collection and is one which should prove to be altogether more svelte.

The dial is black carbon with a minutes counter at 3 o’clock, snailed to contrast and at 9 0′ clock the Manx Triskelion serves as a seconds counter.  A sneaky little date aperture sits cheekily atop the number 7.  The 47mm steel case is black PVD coated and the steel bezel with its tachymeter scale features Clous de Paris decoration.  Yes it’s tough, but it’s also textured and tactile.  Inside is the Calibre G1734 automatic bi-compax chronograph with power reserve of 48 hours.  Water resistance is to 100m.

The Isle of Man TT celebrates its 100th anniversary this year.  That’s a century of no limits two-wheel road racing on tiny country lanes with no safety run-off areas.  For me anything with the iconic “TT” logo evokes the sounds, the smells and sheer spine-tingling speeds of the machines, this watch is no exception.  For visual verification of what the TT race experience is like check out the TT3D movie which was filmed at last year’s event and is on release now.

The Graham Silverstone Tourist Trophy for 2011 is limited to 200 individually numbered pieces.  As usual the winning rider of each category will receive a special edition Graham watch along with their laurels.

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