Mamma ! CH.Ward C65 Dune is the Ward I was waiting for

Christopher Ward just released their latest Collection.

The case of the Sandhurst 2 and Cromwell 2 (38mm Light Catcher, 43mm lug to lug)

The dial of the Aquitaine (sunray with big diver dots and date window)

And, most of all for me, the Aquitaine/Sandhurst 2 handset. The minutes hands has this new particular shape I like so much more than the one on the C63 or Trident. No counterweight neither, and still this beautiful Trident on the second hand.

Domed sapphire glass for the vintage touch.

A GMT is available in limited version, wonderful too : 

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I think Ward just released the perfect watch for me, the one I was waiting for to pull the trigger (well, to start saving money for at least).

In the cons from my side : I would really love them to upgrade the Sellita SW200 on the three hands version, maybe the LJP G101 would be a cool option.

And I would love a no-date version, even if the position at 6 is the less worst option.

Just dreaming, but some titanium option aside the bronze COSC would definitely have my eyes on.

Congrats Ward, you have a new fanboy !

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The blue on bracelet is VERY nice, and amazing applied logo (a first for them?). But having been a client of theirs for years (latest purchase being the Sealander 36), I just can't buy yet another SW200, especially with a date complication.

I understand CW appeal lies in beautiful design, solid bracelet and overall value for money, but Ive grown to appreciate other things (albeit paying more for them) and this just doesnt cut it anymore. Im waiting for them to perhaps rework their SH21 (so it fits a less bulky offering) and do smth with it.

But this remains a very solid collection.

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Didier

The blue on bracelet is VERY nice, and amazing applied logo (a first for them?). But having been a client of theirs for years (latest purchase being the Sealander 36), I just can't buy yet another SW200, especially with a date complication.

I understand CW appeal lies in beautiful design, solid bracelet and overall value for money, but Ive grown to appreciate other things (albeit paying more for them) and this just doesnt cut it anymore. Im waiting for them to perhaps rework their SH21 (so it fits a less bulky offering) and do smth with it.

But this remains a very solid collection.

I agree with you, I'm a little bored of seeing SW200 everywhere. That's why the GMT option with the 330 and its 56hrs PR is in my opinion a cool offer. I won't be "that guy" complaining whereas I don't even own a Ward yet (and only one SW200 in my Farer), just feel like they have much more to offer (as you said, with the in-house caliber, but even not necessarly, I'm sure the LJP is a great alternative)) than the good ol' SW200

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Guyllheaume

I agree with you, I'm a little bored of seeing SW200 everywhere. That's why the GMT option with the 330 and its 56hrs PR is in my opinion a cool offer. I won't be "that guy" complaining whereas I don't even own a Ward yet (and only one SW200 in my Farer), just feel like they have much more to offer (as you said, with the in-house caliber, but even not necessarly, I'm sure the LJP is a great alternative)) than the good ol' SW200

Yes, the LJP would be a very good alternative. Which is why I was extremely pleased that Anordain made that switch before I pulled the plug on one.

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Didier

Yes, the LJP would be a very good alternative. Which is why I was extremely pleased that Anordain made that switch before I pulled the plug on one.

Same for Farer on the three hander collection. I think it's only a matter of time before a (even) wider adoption.

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Guyllheaume

Same for Farer on the three hander collection. I think it's only a matter of time before a (even) wider adoption.

There is a recent interview of a couple of Sellita executives at their HQ by some Youtuber which made the rounds on watches forums lately, in which they say that they've worked on making their base automatic offering reach 70hrs of PW, amongst other changes. Let's hope this reaches the shelves soon. 

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Aaaa...so nice! 🤤🤤🤤🤤

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When you eventually pull the trigger I think you'll be pleasantly surprised at the quality CW is packing in for the money. When I first got to hold my C60 Chrono in my hands it far exceeded my expectations which were already quite high. The Dune series looks like another good one!

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Definitely lovely watches, especially i fell into the green one, but I already have 2 green watches. I'm not sure about should I sell my Seiko Prospex Alpinist green dial and change it with this🥹

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One thing I don't understand why is that they are making their COSC watches mostly on bronze which I really don't like. Dune is fantastic, I would love to pay for the COSC one definitely more if there would be the golden or steel colors with any dial. But why only in bronze!!? Hear me out CW! 🙃

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dgstng

Definitely lovely watches, especially i fell into the green one, but I already have 2 green watches. I'm not sure about should I sell my Seiko Prospex Alpinist green dial and change it with this🥹

I think you always regret to sell a green alpinist, best option is to make a third place for this one OR think of the other green ?

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dgstng

One thing I don't understand why is that they are making their COSC watches mostly on bronze which I really don't like. Dune is fantastic, I would love to pay for the COSC one definitely more if there would be the golden or steel colors with any dial. But why only in bronze!!? Hear me out CW! 🙃

Yes, CW, make good old stainless steel COSC ! And titanium COSC !

I will save money for two more years if it's needed, but please ! 😂😂

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I see CW peddling the idea that 38mm will suit "any" wrist when it really doesn't.

38mm watches can look small on above-average sized wrists and can be very disappointing.

Now watch a bunch of guys with 6" wrists tell me how awesome 38mm is. In 3, 2, 1... :)

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After taking a more detailed look, i've seen lots of similarities:

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Similar movements, similar sizes (even on thickness), similar build quality, similar water resistance, similar lumes etc.

Seiko has a little bit more water resistance and it is cheaper (at least 1/4 less than CW). 

However CW has a little bit better looking (personal opinion especially because of the date window position and the crown style) and they also have the bracelet version for the green one, if you want to buy the bracelet later for the Seiko it costs around 200EUR.

Ok :)

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Guyllheaume

I think you always regret to sell a green alpinist, best option is to make a third place for this one OR think of the other green ?

Absolutely yes, i cannot get rid of it. When i don't see it for a while, i mostly think that I can sell it, but when i open the drawer and see it... I guess it will stay sooo much longer than I think :)

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Hmm… design Is not too original… a pass for me! Good luck 👍🏻

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dgstng

Especially for the cream dial, it is pretty obvious that CW don't have any insights from anything. All of them are 3 hands at the end right. I was just trying to tell that they are not pretty unique for the price. If you can find an almost identical but a cheaper watch which is a more historical brand, this is a thing. 

Being unique is a different thing imho.

Most watches aren't unique, there are only so many visually appealing ways to put the basic components of a watch together. 

There were lots of cream, green, blue, and black coloured watches before Seiko released that version of the Alpinist, and there will be many more in the future. 

Lastly, you don't wear "history", you wear a physical object. In my experience Seiko at that price range makes watches that are not nearly as nice as the watches CW makes. 

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Damn I was just eyeing the C63 36mm Sealander... This is going to change a lot of things.

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dgstng

Definitely lovely watches, especially i fell into the green one, but I already have 2 green watches. I'm not sure about should I sell my Seiko Prospex Alpinist green dial and change it with this🥹

I’d keep the Alpinist. Iconicwatch. I like CW watches as I have two but despite being really good value for money watches they are not yet iconic.   

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After having the 36mm C63 Sealander for a few months now, I’ve been eying the Sealander GMT… but, the 38mm of the Dune caught my eye this morning. After having it sit in my cart all day, finally pulled the trigger on it.

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Nice watches. Not sure why the blue in a “dune” series. 

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Cometman

Damn I was just eyeing the C63 36mm Sealander... This is going to change a lot of things.

Same for me, was in hesitation between 36 and 39)), and the Trident 38. This one change the game for me in the Ward range

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PocketWatchTime

Nice watches. Not sure why the blue in a “dune” series. 

I've been in the Dune du Pilat in Aquitaine. The sea is just few meters away in the other side. Pure logic to me 😁

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Aa_bcfc

I’d keep the Alpinist. Iconicwatch. I like CW watches as I have two but despite being really good value for money watches they are not yet iconic.   

I guess i'll do it that way as you said.

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dgstng

One thing I don't understand why is that they are making their COSC watches mostly on bronze which I really don't like. Dune is fantastic, I would love to pay for the COSC one definitely more if there would be the golden or steel colors with any dial. But why only in bronze!!? Hear me out CW! 🙃

do you really need COSC? I have 5 watches from CW and they all run at between +1-3 seconds per day!

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dgstng

Especially for the cream dial, it is pretty obvious that CW don't have any insights from anything. All of them are 3 hands at the end right. I was just trying to tell that they are not pretty unique for the price. If you can find an almost identical but a cheaper watch which is a more historical brand, this is a thing. 

Being unique is a different thing imho.

you obviously haven’t seen a CW in real life!

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Cosmodoc

you obviously haven’t seen a CW in real life!

Actually I've seen an amazed with its quality. And I also have a MeisterSinger which is built by CW completely and that has same build quality with my Spirit. However -being completely personal- still couldn't find a space for one of them in my collection. Unlike Farer, I feel like they are playing pretty safe with the designs (I also feel the same with Formex too). It is preference for sure. You can definitely say that my Seiko i've shared is way much more conventional and i'm agree with it, but it is meant to be conventional.

For the COSC thing, i didn't mean that it should be a COSC, I'm just curious that "most" of their COSCs have great designs but some of them just come in rose gold or bronze which "I" really don't like. I don't have any addiction to COSC (at least not yet :) )

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I would love to see some white lume variants and COSC options in stainless, but it's a really solid release overall.

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I'm jonesing after the Blue Dial myself.. really wish there were more review videos for it though..

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dgstng

After taking a more detailed look, i've seen lots of similarities:

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Similar movements, similar sizes (even on thickness), similar build quality, similar water resistance, similar lumes etc.

Seiko has a little bit more water resistance and it is cheaper (at least 1/4 less than CW). 

However CW has a little bit better looking (personal opinion especially because of the date window position and the crown style) and they also have the bracelet version for the green one, if you want to buy the bracelet later for the Seiko it costs around 200EUR.

Ok :)

I own the cream dial Seiko and just ordered the cream dial Dune. I may or may not sell the Seiko once the Dune arrives as I find it a bit thick, but otherwise love it.

I

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Incredible looking watch as is CW’s The Twelve. That being said it seems like CW’s best stuff tends to be in the homage zone, something which is fine, but IMO something that will ultimately curtail their growth admist a surge of really great micros and independents who are carving their unique design language.