Roll out the red carpet for an unconventional hero of the watchmaking world – Christopher Ward. In a world where timekeeping royalty often hails from centuries old dynasties, this British brand has defied convention, storming the fortress of horology with an ethos rooted in innovation, quality, and, quite remarkably, affordability.
The story of
Christopher Ward is a tale of three friends – Christopher Ward, Mike France, and Peter Ellis – each bringing with them a unique set of skills, a shared passion for watches, and an ambition to shake up the luxury watch market. The three musketeers of the modern watchmaking world, so to speak, embarked on this adventure in 2004, armed with a vision to make premium quality, Swiss made watches accessible to a broader audience.
Courtesy of Christopher Ward
Fondly known as the "world's cheapest most expensive watches," Christopher Ward's offerings were a breath of fresh air in a market saturated by timepieces that were often beautiful and precise but also prohibitively expensive. The founders identified a sweet spot, and oh boy, did they hit it with panache! It was a simple but revolutionary idea: to sell Swiss made watches, directly to customers, at a price that reflected the cost of production rather than the prestige of the brand.
From launching their maiden watch, the C5 Malvern Automatic, on a straightforward yet ground breaking online platform, the brand has carved out its unique space in the realm of luxury watches. Each timepiece, meticulously crafted in the Swiss town of Biel/Bienne, is a testament to the brand's commitment to quality, design, and precision. This place, fondly known as "Watch Valley," is where Swiss watchmaking excellence meets the quintessential British design aesthetic of Christopher Ward watches.
The brand’s audacious approach of blending online retail with luxury Swiss watchmaking was a masterstroke that revolutionized the way we view and buy luxury watches. It was a direct challenge to the status quo, a testament to their belief that fine watchmaking need not be shrouded in exclusivity but instead should be celebrated by all who appreciate it.
Over the years, Christopher Ward has earned a reputation for being a brand that takes risks, embraces challenges, and constantly innovates. The milestones are many, each narrating a unique chapter of their remarkable journey. The launch of the C9 Harrison Jumping Hour in 2011, for instance, put the brand firmly on the global map of horology. The watch's clever combination of an ETA 2824-2 base with a module developed by master watchmaker Johannes Jahnke was a declaration that Christopher Ward was not merely a disruptor but a frontrunner in innovative watch design.
Courtesy of Christopher Ward
Fast forward to 2014, and another significant milestone marked Christopher Ward's ten year anniversary – the launch of the in house movement, Calibre SH21. With an impressive five day power reserve, this automatic movement proved to be a game changer, solidifying Christopher Ward's position as a serious player in the world of luxury watchmaking. It demonstrated that the brand was not content to merely fit Swiss movements into British designs but was committed to creating and producing its own movements.
While Calibre SH21 was a massive technical achievement, it was much more than that. It symbolized the culmination of a decade long journey from being an upstart to becoming a well respected member of the watchmaking community. It was proof that Christopher Ward had not just the audacity to dream big but also the prowess to realize those dreams.
The unveiling of their new logo in 2015 stirred some controversy, but even this was in line with the brand's bold and innovative spirit. The new logo, emblazoned at the 9 o'clock position, was a departure from the norm, reflecting the brand's relentless quest for uniqueness and authenticity. While it initially divided opinions, it soon became synonymous with the brand's identity – stylish, bold, and unafraid.
Courtesy of Christopher Ward
Reflecting on Christopher Ward's journey so far, it's not just the milestones that stand out but also the journey itself. It's a story of a brand that dared to dream, dared to disrupt, and dared to deliver. It's the story of a brand that believes that luxury and affordability are not mutually exclusive. It's the story of a brand that is passionate about watches and is committed to sharing that passion with the world. And if the past is any indication of the future, then it's safe to say that the story of Christopher Ward is far from over.
Embarking on a journey through Christopher Ward's expansive collection of watches feels a lot like stepping into a time capsule. Each line, each piece, is not just a watch, but a chapter in the brand's extraordinary narrative, a testament to its unique philosophy and vision. Let's explore some of the most iconic Christopher Ward watch lines and dive into what makes each of them so special.
One cannot talk about Christopher Ward without mentioning the iconic C5 Malvern Automatic. As the brand's debut watch, it holds a special place in Christopher Ward's history. It's the watch that brought the dream to life, the first bold statement in a series of many that the brand was here to disrupt the watchmaking industry. What made the C5 Malvern Automatic so captivating was its elegant simplicity, its no frills approach to watchmaking. With a clean, understated design and a reliable Swiss made Sellita SW200 movement, this watch was a compelling argument for the brand's ethos luxury timepieces should be accessible to everyone, not just the few.
C5 Malvern Courtesy of Christopher Ward
Fast forward to today, and the C5 Malvern Automatic Series 2 continues to embody this philosophy. Its timeless design, superior Swiss automatic movement, and sensible price point make it a favourite among watch enthusiasts and a true representation of the brand's dedication to its founding principles.
Another masterpiece from the Christopher Ward collection is the C60 Trident Pro 600, a timepiece that embraces the brand's penchant for defying the status quo. A professional grade dive watch with a stunning 600m water resistance rating, the C60 Trident Pro is a symbol of Christopher Ward's commitment to uncompromising quality and performance. Its design beautifully marries the robustness of a dive watch with the elegance of a dress watch, making it equally at home under the sea and at a formal event.
C60 Trident Pro Courtesy of Christopher Ward
The C60 Trident Pro 600 showcases the brand's bold approach to watchmaking. By offering a Swiss made, COSC certified automatic watch at a fraction of the price of similar watches from established brands, Christopher Ward once again proved that they are not just disruptors but trailblazers in the world of horology.
Next in line is the C9 Harrison Jumping Hour, a watch that has, without a doubt, secured a spot in the annals of Christopher Ward's history. This watch, with its sophisticated jumping hour complication typically seen in much more expensive watches, turned heads and made the world sit up and take notice of Christopher Ward. It was not just the beauty of the watch or the complexity of the complication that made the C9 Harrison Jumping Hour special. It was the audacity of the brand to offer such an extraordinary timepiece at an accessible price, shattering the notion that complications and affordability couldn't go hand in hand.
C9 Harrison Jumping Hour Courtesy of Christopher Ward
Today, the C9 Harrison Jumping Hour continues to be a beacon of Christopher Ward's innovative spirit. Its distinctive design, with an elegant, minimalistic dial and a small aperture at 12 o'clock that reveals the hour, combined with a robust automatic movement, make it a standout piece in the brand's collection.
Finally, the C65 Trident Diver marks another significant chapter in Christopher Ward's tale. This timepiece, inspired by the robust and rugged dive watches of the 1960s, marries vintage aesthetics with modern watchmaking techniques. The result is a timepiece that is a fitting tribute to the past while being firmly rooted in the present. The C65 Trident Diver, with its slim case, unidirectional bezel, and old radium lume, captures the charm of vintage dive watches while boasting the performance and reliability of a modern, Swiss made watch.
C65 Trident Diver Courtesy of Christopher Ward
These iconic watch lines, each with its unique personality and story, capture the essence of Christopher Ward. They showcase the brand's commitment to creating high quality, Swiss made watches that challenge conventions and democratize luxury. It's not just about the timepieces themselves but the ethos they represent the belief that great watches should not be a privilege but a pleasure that everyone can enjoy. Each watch, meticulously crafted and thoughtfully priced, is a testament to the brand's unwavering dedication to this philosophy.
As we delve further into the world of Christopher Ward, it becomes increasingly clear that the brand is not just about selling watches. It's about creating an experience, challenging conventions, and rewriting the rules. It's about making the joy of owning a finely crafted, Swiss made timepiece accessible to more than just the privileged few. Each watch in their collection is a piece of a jigsaw puzzle that comes together to reveal a larger picture – a picture of disruption, innovation, and an enduring passion for horology.
The tale of Christopher Ward has been an exciting journey. From a spark of an idea between three friends to becoming a highly respected, globally recognized brand in the world of watchmaking, it's a story that exudes inspiration and persistence. It's a narrative about the power of dreams and the magic that happens when you dare to disrupt. Christopher Ward, the once small British brand, is today a force to reckon with in the global watch industry, a testament to the power of vision, courage, and resilience.
Courtesy of Christopher Ward
Just like their very first C5 Malvern Automatic, each Christopher Ward timepiece carries an unmistakable DNA the heart of Swiss precision, the soul of British design, and an essence that is entirely their own. The C60 Trident Pro 600, the C9 Harrison Jumping Hour, the C65 Trident Diver, each of these watches, and indeed every piece in their extensive collection, is an embodiment of the brand's audacious spirit and unwavering commitment to their ethos. They stand as an eloquent testament to Christopher Ward's mission of offering outstanding quality, innovative designs, and sensible prices.
Perhaps the most compelling part of the Christopher Ward story is the brand's commitment to continuous evolution. From their very first watch to their latest releases, the brand has consistently strived to push boundaries, to reinvent, to innovate. Whether it's in the creation of their in house movement, Calibre SH21, or in the daring design of their logo, Christopher Ward has always dared to be different, to chart their own course. And this is precisely what sets them apart in the crowded world of watchmaking.
Courtesy of Christopher Ward
In an industry often characterized by high entry barriers and exclusivity, Christopher Ward has succeeded in carving out a unique niche for itself. It has redefined what a luxury watch can be and who it can be for. And in doing so, it has not only disrupted the industry but also brought the joy of owning a beautifully crafted, Swiss made watch to a much wider audience.
But perhaps the most exciting aspect of the Christopher Ward story is that it's far from over. With each new watch, each new collection, the brand continues to innovate, to evolve, and to delight watch enthusiasts around the world. There is always an air of anticipation around what Christopher Ward will do next, what new boundaries they will push, what new standards they will set.
Courtesy of Christopher Ward
The Christopher Ward journey is not just about creating beautiful, high quality watches. It's about fostering a community, a tribe of watch enthusiasts who share the brand's passion for horology. Through their watches, they invite us into their world, a world where quality and affordability coexist, where the customer is at the heart of everything they do, and where every watch is a tale of innovation, ambition, and tenacity.
In the world of Christopher Ward, every tick of the second hand is more than just a measure of time; it's a heartbeat, a step forward in a journey that knows no bounds. And as the hands of our Christopher Ward watches continue to move, we are all invited to join them on this extraordinary adventure. After all, in the world of Christopher Ward, time is not just a measure; it's an opportunity, a promise, a story waiting to be told.