Greatest watch of 2022, Decade?
So Im sure this we’ll get the debating juices flowing however after listening/watching to the lists of ‘The best watches of 2022’ (including Teddy and Watchrunch‘s Max), one watch that’s not received any mention is the ‘Bel Canto’ from Christopher Ward. To recap the blue and green sold out in hours and there is a huge waiting list for whatever version 3 will be. This is a chiming watch where the team spent 3 years perfecting as they wanted everything above the dial perfectly aligned. In the title I put this as the best watch of the year, why? Show me another watch of this horology, imagination, quality and style for anything close to the 3k asking price? In fact if I give you 10k or 20k to spend I would like to see what other watchmakers could do. So why is this not in the number 1 spot of the year? Forgotten or I’m I missing something. P.s. I’m on the waiting list 😁
Live in Scotland, winter is long and dark, lume is important 🤪
I couldn’t agree more that it should 100% be on the lists! Appreciate it’s not to everyone’s taste - but the quality and price and innovation make it really notable!
I was also totally surprised my CW when they released it.
It's still depend on taste and expectation but I want to throw two different hats in the ring.
1 Felipe Pikullik
Offering handcraftet and decorated art pieces which are insane. He has currently two models the Sternenhimmel, which is the more affordable one, starting at 2,800 euros my last Information. And his FPSK a skeleton model, which I don't know the price.
2 The Rado True Square Open Heart
Which is actually more a kind of skeleton model. Even using "only" a Powermatic movement which gives comfortable 80 hrs power reserve. But they decorated every single piece of the movemen as hell. With a great view from the Back. I think the price is at 2,500.
I would say it’s not #1 for two good reasons:
In order to be on “established” lists, those folks need to do a proper review. As it stands, it is simply the greatest high horology bargain one could conceive of on paper. I expect it will get more love over the next few years when it gets into more hands. As of now it’s a bit under the radar.
I was also totally surprised my CW when they released it.
It's still depend on taste and expectation but I want to throw two different hats in the ring.
1 Felipe Pikullik
Offering handcraftet and decorated art pieces which are insane. He has currently two models the Sternenhimmel, which is the more affordable one, starting at 2,800 euros my last Information. And his FPSK a skeleton model, which I don't know the price.
2 The Rado True Square Open Heart
Which is actually more a kind of skeleton model. Even using "only" a Powermatic movement which gives comfortable 80 hrs power reserve. But they decorated every single piece of the movemen as hell. With a great view from the Back. I think the price is at 2,500.
Lovely watches but no sound? Although not a minute repeater the Bell Canto is an hour chime that can be silenced which is visible. Truly great.
I would say it’s not #1 for two good reasons:
In order to be on “established” lists, those folks need to do a proper review. As it stands, it is simply the greatest high horology bargain one could conceive of on paper. I expect it will get more love over the next few years when it gets into more hands. As of now it’s a bit under the radar.
There has been a load of press and reviews on it, most of the YouTube big hitters reviewed it and certainly enough people in the know to know that this is a serious bit of kit. Another way to think about it is all watches were sold in hours (green in 2 hours) which means that the collectors/people who know that it was special, bought them, I can’t believe that the serious watch socialites were unaware, if they were then they are not as connected as they make out. Watchfinder did a review and an interview as have several other watch reviewers.
CW have definitely achieved something cool, but what I don't know about these Bel Canto is if they are a complete package watch, or are they only impressive because of the complication? Is it a one trick pony?
It's a question for those who currently own one: If it didn't have the chime, would it still be an excellent watch?
Would you want a $1000 Chinese tourbillion? great they can do it but to have the quality to last is another thing completely. I think CW are punching with this one and we will see for great things from this brand. I can’t wait to see the next colour, I hope it’s good because I’m on the list to get one!
Good point, from the interview with the CEO they went to great lengths to achieve the look which made it difficult for their watchmaker Frank Stelzer. I haven’t heard anything bad about their quality. i saw a post on here either today or yesterday mentioning an owne. It would be great to hear what he has to say about it.
Yeh I know watch of the decade was a bit clickbate(ish) we will see what the company does moving forward and we might look back on it differently. My point was that no one was mentioning it and I think that it was overlooked, if they had charged 10k it might have made bigger headlines
CW have definitely achieved something cool, but what I don't know about these Bel Canto is if they are a complete package watch, or are they only impressive because of the complication? Is it a one trick pony?
It's a question for those who currently own one: If it didn't have the chime, would it still be an excellent watch?
The quality of the dial components stands out more than the chime. It’s really sublime - CW have partnered with a bunch of companies who supply the high horology world.
Good point, from the interview with the CEO they went to great lengths to achieve the look which made it difficult for their watchmaker Frank Stelzer. I haven’t heard anything bad about their quality. i saw a post on here either today or yesterday mentioning an owne. It would be great to hear what he has to say about it.
There are a few owners including me. The quality is off the charts good.
There are a few owners including me. The quality is off the charts good.
Congratulation! You must have been quick off the bat to get a blue one. As it was such a departure and with no reference point at all were you nervous at all?
Congratulation! You must have been quick off the bat to get a blue one. As it was such a departure and with no reference point at all were you nervous at all?
Not really -it it’s good enough for Andrew from watchfinder I won’t be able to find fault with it!
Indeed CW made the bel hora - so this is an evolution of it. Though it’s pretty amazing to come in cheaper but with all that epic quality dial side..
Interestingly it is Christopher Ward that designed and make most of the the movements for Meistersinger including the one in the link. i think after this the main body of the work is to present it in the way it was for the quality and the price. I totally agree that the complication is innovative but not overly complex when compared with a minute repeater, thats a different gear all together. It will be interesting to see what they do with it moving forwar.
For sure it’s not ”the best watch ever” but it’s a very large evolution of the bell hora. I think 50-60 new components to make that stunning dial side architecture and partnerships not just with Armin Strom but a bunch of high end suppliers. It’s a really unprecedented thing and very original.
Agree on that Breguet. At the price it can be had (c. £10k) it’s a real bargain - especially with the dynamism of the dial and the wonderful brand heritage.