Christopher Ward… what’s the good, bad and ugly??

[DoctorA]

I’ve taking a liking to CW, especially their C1 Bel canto classic

The watch looks beautiful and I love the hourly chime feature but to be honest what’s holding me back is the price!!

I know……. We complain about some watches being over priced but here, it’s a different story!! Is it “too good to be true??” I can see Patek or even Moser putting some more case refinement and selling the same watch for $30k- $40k easily!!
I know it won the best watch under $8k award a couple of years ago but I still feel something is missing!

Anyone who owns the watch or any CW can share their experience? Reliability, accuracy, QC issues??

Pictures always help!!

Thank you!!

[Jackie Daytona]

I don’t own one. Just chiming in that they make some seriously cool watches. Hoping to add one before the prices inevitably start inching north from the high praise I’m constantly hearing. Im interested as well.

[ap1]

Love my purple. Purchase approved. I kinda want the skellie too

[Ichiran]

Originally Posted by ap1

Love my purple. Purchase approved. I kinda want the skellie too

You have all the interesting watches buddy

[ap1]

Originally Posted by Ichiran

You have all the interesting watches buddy

Cmon. Let’s trade!

[Easy E]

Originally Posted by ap1

Love my purple. Purchase approved. I kinda want the skellie too

I just backed out of one of those.

Really do dig my Bel Canto argento

[Easy E]

Originally Posted by Easy E

I just backed out of one of those.

Really do dig my Bel Canto argento

Because pictures are good. I haven't bothered to meter this, but when I can, I check the time against phone or PC when I hear the chime. So, far its always top of the hour.

[INC]

Originally Posted by DoctorA

The watch looks beautiful and I love the hourly chime feature but to be honest what’s holding me back is the price!!

I think you should send them an email so they can charge you an extra surcharge to make sure you're satisfied

Or not

I know it won the best watch under $8k award a couple of years ago but I still feel something is missing!

In my opinion, the answer is obvious. Christopher Ward makes his watches under his own name, as the "great watchmakers" have done for centuries.

But, as a result, he does not have a heritage of several hundred years.

And he did not even dare to buy some forgotten, long-closed big-name watch brand, to "resurrect" it and sell the same wonders at exorbitant prices. This is something, what you can appreciate about them. I, for example, like this attitude

Anyone who owns the watch or any CW can share their experience? Reliability, accuracy, QC issues??

Phoenix, Vulcan: no problem at all. All perfect, solid watches. You can feel that these are not just "small-scale" works, but that there is really serious engineering behind them.

Pictures always help!!

JasH always shares the pictures of his special editions. And honestly, he has a much better ability to take good pictures than I do.

[KatGirl]

I think some of their models are overpriced for a micro brand. I do like a few of their offerings. The 12 looks an awful lot like Tissot’s PRX Powermatic 80, but is priced higher. I am thinking of getting their C63 Sealander GMT, in white. It’s a great size, and reminds me of an Explorer ll.

Kat


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[DoctorA]

Thank you all for the quick input!
Next question is what color?
I honestly like them all equally!

I like the timeliness of their blue
I like the bold green
I like the legibility of the silver (blue hands)
I like the contrast of the gold/yellow

What’s TRF community take on the more desirable color?

[Enzo954]

I like my OG Viola Bel Canto. I find it wears a little chunky on my just under 7" wrist but not too bad. No QC issues on mine and it seems to be keeping time well. I'm not a fan of the revised Bel Canto with the guilloche dial. IMO it just has too much visually going on. They're trying to make it look like a dress watch, but the proportions don't cater to that segment.

[WatchEater666]

The Bel Canto is amazing. They trade for less used, just grab one "preowned" and dont worry about depreciation!

[BraveBold]

Never owned so my opinion can be discounted but from the couple I’ve handled I find them overpriced for the quality / finishing. I also find their logo unattractive but that’s entirely subjective.

[Enzo954]

Originally Posted by BraveBold

Never owned so my opinion can be discounted but from the couple I’ve handled I find them overpriced for the quality / finishing. I also find their logo unattractive but that’s entirely subjective.

I don't see any logo on the dial of the Bel Canto.

[rajurama]

Might get torched here but look and feel of the finishing is of some mass produced parts sourced from asia and assembled by the brand which is marketed quite well. Again as fun watch below 5k price is fair like the Mb&f Mad 1 or so.

[samson66]

I've owned three (currently one) Christopher Ward watches. I really like them. Their prices have creeped upwards the last couple years but they are still a decent value. The vast majority use the Selita SW200 or SW300 movements which are reliable and easy to work on, but nothing all that exciting about them either. My only issue with CW is their crowns can be prone to stripping so I always recommend winding backwards slowly with a little pressure to get the crown to seat before screwing it down. If you do that you should never have a problem.

I really love the Trident Pro 300 series. This is my bronze.

[roaree]

Looking for repair of 1974 Rolex Daytona. NOT out of the USA. ANY ideas???Thanks

Roaree

[enjoythemusic]

Originally Posted by roaree

Looking for repair of 1974 Rolex Daytona. NOT out of the USA. ANY ideas???Thanks

Roaree

European Watch Company in Boston

[roaree]

Looking for repair of 1974 Rolex daytona

[WatchTimes]

They are cool watches, I like the Bel Canto and how it chimes. It's a great option for someone who wants that complication but doesn't want to spend insane $.

Not something Id own, I also feel they are making a sporty watch (it's size, its bracelet (nice but not a dress watch bracelet to me) into a dress watch.

For me it's bigger than I like for a dress watch and its too hard to quickly read to be a daily watch for me.