Christopher Ward, a name that resonates with a blend of British design and Swiss watchmaking prowess, has consistently pushed the boundaries of what's achievable in the world of accessible luxury timepieces. Their journey began on a boat trip down the Thames, fueled by a desire to challenge the inflated pricing structures of established Swiss brands. The founders envisioned a company that could deliver high-quality watches directly to consumers, cutting out the middlemen and offering exceptional value. This vision materialized in 2005 with the launch of the world's first online-only watch brand.
From a converted chicken shed in Berkshire,
Christopher Ward embarked on its mission to create "the cheapest most expensive watches in the world." Their initial offerings, the C5 Malvern Automatic and C3 Malvern Chronograph, set the stage for a brand that would prioritize quality components, meticulous craftsmanship, and a direct-to-consumer approach. The brand quickly gained recognition for its distinctive design language, characterized by the iconic Light-catcher™ case, which features a blend of brushed and polished surfaces that play with light in a captivating way. The brand's willingness to embrace both classic and contemporary design elements, has created a unique aesthetic.
Courtesy of Christopher Ward
The partnership with Swiss watchmaking company Synergies Horlogères (SH) in 2008 was a pivotal moment. This collaboration brought the expertise of master watchmaker Johannes Jahnke into the fold, leading to the development of the 'JJ' Calibres. These bespoke modified movements, showcased in watches like the C9 Jumping Hour series and the C900 Single Pusher, elevated Christopher Ward's offerings to a new level of horological sophistication. The culmination of this partnership was the 2014 merger of the two companies and the subsequent launch of Calibre SH21, a groundbreaking in-house movement that marked the first commercially viable mechanical movement from a British watch brand in over half a century.
Now, stepping into the spotlight is the C60 Sapphire Edge, a timepiece that not only exemplifies Christopher Ward's commitment to innovation but also pushes the boundaries of material and technical excellence. This is not a brand new, never been seen watch. The C60 Sapphire Edge has heritage behind it. This watch builds upon previous Christopher Ward sapphire watches of the past, in the C60 collection. This new watch takes design inspiration from the Aquitaine series with it's saphire bezel, which gives off a retro-dive watch vibe.
The watch features a striking 42mm case, crafted from stainless steel. What immediately catches the eye is the deep, mesmerizing blue hue of the dial, which is achieved through the use of ultra-thin sapphire crystal. This transparent dial provides an unobstructed view of the intricate inner workings of the Sellita SW300 automatic movement, allowing the wearer to appreciate the mechanical ballet taking place within. The sapphire crystal itself is incredibly thin, machined to a mere 0.6mm, showcasing the precision engineering that goes into every Christopher Ward timepiece.
Courtesy of Christopher Ward
Surrounding the dial is a unidirectional rotating bezel, also made from sapphire. This choice of material not only adds to the watch's visual appeal with its inherent luster, but also provides exceptional scratch resistance. The bezel is designed for functionality, with a reassuringly solid click, essential for divers who rely on this feature to track elapsed time underwater. The watch boasts a water resistance of 300 meters, making it a true professional diving instrument.
Powering the C60 Sapphire Edge is the Sellita SW300 automatic movement. This 25-jewel movement is a workhorse known for its reliability and accuracy. The SW300 is a thinner movement than the SW200, at only 3.6mm high. This allows for a much slimmer case. With a power reserve of 56 hours, the watch will keep ticking even after a couple of days off the wrist. The movement is visible through the sapphire case back, allowing the wearer to admire the intricate details, including the Christopher Ward 'Colimaçoné' finish on the rotor.
The C60 Sapphire Edge introduces a groundbreaking feature: the Aquaflex strap. This is Christopher Ward's first luminous strap, crafted from FKM fluorocarbon rubber. This material is known for its durability and resistance to extreme temperatures and chemicals. What sets the Aquaflex strap apart is its luminous coating, which provides a vibrant glow in low-light conditions, adding a touch of both practicality and visual flair.
Courtesy of Christopher Ward
The luminous elements extend to the dial as well. The hands and indexes are filled with Super-LumiNova® Grade X1 BL C1, a high-performance luminous material that ensures excellent legibility in all lighting conditions. This attention to detail underscores Christopher Ward's commitment to creating watches that are not only visually appealing but also highly functional.
The Light-catcher™ case, a signature element of Christopher Ward watches, has been refined for the C60 Sapphire Edge. Thanks to the slimmer profile of the SW300 movement, the case thickness has been reduced to a mere 10.7mm, making it exceptionally comfortable to wear, even on smaller wrists. The 42mm case diameter strikes a balance between presence and wearability. The case is constructed from stainless steel with a mix of polished and brushed surfaces. The lug-to-lug measurement of 49.32mm. The watch comes in at a total weight of 108g with the Aquaflex strap.
Turning the watch over reveals another sapphire crystal, this one forming the case back. This exhibition case back offers a clear view of the Sellita SW300-1 movement in all its glory. The movement, with its 25 jewels, beats at a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour (4Hz), contributing to its smooth seconds hand sweep. The movement also features a hacking seconds function, which allows for precise time setting.
Courtesy of Christopher Ward
The C60 Sapphire Edge is a testament to Christopher Ward's dedication to pushing the boundaries of design and technology. The combination of a sapphire dial, sapphire bezel, and luminous Aquaflex strap creates a watch that is both visually stunning and exceptionally functional. The use of high-quality materials, coupled with the reliable Sellita SW300 movement, ensures that this watch is built to last.
The technical specifications of the C60 Sapphire Edge are impressive. The watch is Swiss-made, reflecting Christopher Ward's commitment to utilizing the expertise of Swiss watchmakers. The self-winding mechanical movement provides a power reserve of 56 hours, ensuring that the watch will continue to run accurately even if not worn for a couple of days. The anti-shock system protects the movement from damage due to impacts, while the screw-down crown, stamped with the twin-flag motif, enhances the watch's water resistance.
The dial, a mesmerizing expanse of blue, features a unique engraved serial number, adding a touch of exclusivity to each timepiece. The signature Trident counter-balance on the seconds hand is a subtle yet distinctive detail that adds to the watch's character. The overall design of the C60 Sapphire Edge is a harmonious blend of form and function.
In keeping with the brand's commitment to social responsibility, Christopher Ward will donate 2 percent of the proceeds from the watch's sale to chosen charities. This initiative, which began with the C60 #tide, reflects the brand's desire to give back to the community and support worthy causes.
Courtesy of Christopher Ward
From a visual perspective, the C60 Sapphire Edge is a captivating timepiece. The play of light on the sapphire dial and bezel creates a dynamic and ever-changing appearance. The blue hue of the dial is deep and rich, evoking the depths of the ocean. The luminous elements on the dial and strap add a touch of intrigue and practicality.
The Christopher Ward C60 Sapphire Edge is available for purchase directly from the Christopher Ward website for $1,240. The pricing reflects the brand's commitment to offering exceptional value, providing a high-quality Swiss-made timepiece at a price point that is significantly lower than comparable watches from established luxury brands.
Case: 42mm diameter, 10.70mm height, 49.32mm lug-to-lug. Light-catcher™ stainless steel, brushed and polished. Unidirectional sapphire bezel. Screw-down crown. Sapphire crystal caseback. 30 ATM (300m) water resistance. 70.87g (case only).
Movement: Sellita SW300-1. Automatic (self-winding). 25 jewels. 56-hour power reserve. 28,800 bph (4Hz). +/- 20 seconds/day timing tolerance. Christopher Ward 'Colimaçoné' finish on rotor. Anti-shock system. Central hacking seconds.
Dial: Blue. Sapphire crystal dial (0.6mm thick). Super-LumiNova® Grade X1 BL C1-filled hands and indexes. Signature Trident counter-balance on seconds hand.
Strap: Blue Aquaflex rubber (FKM fluorocarbon rubber). Luminous coating. 22mm width.
Price: $1,240
Reference Number: C60-42ADA31S0BB3-RBW
Notes: Features Christopher Ward's first-ever luminous strap. 2% of proceeds from sales are donated to charity.