Christopher Ward - mildly curious
I see a lot of strong love for Christopher Ward (CW) watches hereabouts, particularly from N American crunchers, and I rarely ever see any negativity.
Now I live within a short-ish journey of CW’s headquarters and for many years their watches pretty much turned me cold. In particular I really didn’t like the old branding so I didn’t seek them out, mostly passed over any coverage, reviews, etc. and I don’t think I have ever seen or handled one.
It may well be a case of taking for granted things that are on your doorstep and overlooking them in favour of the allure of something from further afield? Does - for example - someone living in, say, St Louis feel similarly indifferent about Monta watches while strongly admiring CW watches?
Now that CW have significantly improved the branding on their watches and their range of better branded watches is expanding I think it’s definitely time to give them a closer look. So I am going to make a booking to visit their HQ to see what all the “love” is about.
I shall report back in due course - does the visit win me over?
Driven to watches (researching and collecting affordably) by the boredom of COVID lockdowns. My - possibly attainable - grail watch would be a 6245 (Seiko or Grand Seiko) in nice condition … someday.
I received my CW a few days ago! Its amazing! I do hope to go to CW’s showroom in Maidenhead next year. Looking forward to hearing about your experience!
Nice combination! Definitely the better branding - previously they looked terrible. Hopefully there’ll be plenty to see. I certainly like their “philosophy”. Haven’t yet seen a stand out favourite in their range so am able to go with an open mind.
Enjoy your watch(es) - and your dogs too.
I received my CW a few days ago! Its amazing! I do hope to go to CW’s showroom in Maidenhead next year. Looking forward to hearing about your experience!
Is it bad when you begin to recognize wrists. Before I read anything I looked down at the photo and thought "oh.... I didn't know Lauren had a CW".
The watch collector in me wants to tell you it looks fantastic. But the dad in me is keeping count and wants to warn you to slow down before you and the wife go broke 😂.
I love green. Green watches are AMAZING
I go back and forth mentally with “wow I really want this CW model to suddenly my brain shifting to thinking it looks too similar to another high end watch but more toy looking”
Sometimes I’ve seen posts about them not honoring manufacturing defects and only movement or being tough to deal with which would turn me off considering how far the watch would need to travel so that’s where I’m at with them it’ll change again tmw likely.
Now I’m still on the fence with a red 36mm mulberry sealander
But Farer is starting to catch my eye with their Discovery II in black and 36mm
CW are probably my favourite brand and I’ve never really understood the issue about branding, but I’m someone who actually likes a busy dial. Let us know how it goes at the HQ
I agree that the old full name branding on the dial was a dealbreaker. The watches are amazing quality. I have the Tide Diver.
I go back and forth mentally with “wow I really want this CW model to suddenly my brain shifting to thinking it looks too similar to another high end watch but more toy looking”
Sometimes I’ve seen posts about them not honoring manufacturing defects and only movement or being tough to deal with which would turn me off considering how far the watch would need to travel so that’s where I’m at with them it’ll change again tmw likely.
Now I’m still on the fence with a red 36mm mulberry sealander
But Farer is starting to catch my eye with their Discovery II in black and 36mm
I will put that to them when I am there - be interesting to see what they say.
I will put that to them when I am there - be interesting to see what they say.
Keen to hear their thoughts. I wish I saved those posts as I’ve come accross them but seen them on Reddit and maybe one on here previously.
I'm a cheapo and don't like to spend "extra" fees otherwise I'd probably have a few CWs
CW are probably my favourite brand and I’ve never really understood the issue about branding, but I’m someone who actually likes a busy dial. Let us know how it goes at the HQ
Yes - I prefer a cleaner dial.
If my name was “Christopher Ward” it might have been okay - otherwise it felt like wearing someone else’s watch and it’s not as if CW had great horological heritage from the outset so I found it a little vainglorious and arriviste. I have seen a fair few “micro brands” and kickstarters falling into the same trap.
With so many other watches to look at I just moved on.
But with them being not far down the road and having a strong following I thought it was time for hopefully an interesting trip out and possibly the chance of being impressed …
The appeal to CW is they’re creative but stay (mostly) in their lane of affordable well made timepieces. There are a few “inspired” pieces but they all incorporate their own design language (which is now being set free to dream…Bel Canto)
#christopherward
I agree that the old full name branding on the dial was a dealbreaker. The watches are amazing quality. I have the Tide Diver.
Be interesting to see what they say about the response since they “rebranded”.
Yes - I prefer a cleaner dial.
If my name was “Christopher Ward” it might have been okay - otherwise it felt like wearing someone else’s watch and it’s not as if CW had great horological heritage from the outset so I found it a little vainglorious and arriviste. I have seen a fair few “micro brands” and kickstarters falling into the same trap.
With so many other watches to look at I just moved on.
But with them being not far down the road and having a strong following I thought it was time for hopefully an interesting trip out and possibly the chance of being impressed …
As you live so close why not. They’ve got quite a large catalogue now, though not too many minimalist dials.
The appeal to CW is they’re creative but stay (mostly) in their lane of affordable well made timepieces. There are a few “inspired” pieces but they all incorporate their own design language (which is now being set free to dream…Bel Canto)
#christopherward
I also like their transparency about marking up at three times production cost and am curious to know whether that “production cost” is before or after loading for overheads (advertising, warranties, etc.). Not sure how candid they will be but it could be a compelling point of appeal if it’s clear to me.
I'm a cheapo and don't like to spend "extra" fees otherwise I'd probably have a few CWs
I presume you mean shipping, possible duties, etc. I feel the same way about a few of your fine looking US watches as they move up a significant price notch by the time I would receive them here … and that means they are bumping up against stiff competition.
I can think of at least four US brands that I might eventually pick up here “low mileage used” once someone else has swallowed those costs.
I live fairly close to a few micro brands and independents and I love them. I also love my Christopher Ward watches.
The brands near me. I own from all or have ordered one.
RGM - definitely an independent. He has several in house movements.
The fallowing are on the edge of independant/microbrand. They assemble and modify movements.
Towson Watch Company
E. Stohlman
Micros, as far as I know they only assemble watches.
Hager Watches
Tsao Baltimore
Look forward to your report. ✔
The rebranding has certainly broadened there appeal.
The full name ruined some otherwise good looking watches for me!
Ive now got a one on my wish list 😜🤞probably a summer birthday treat 🤣
Your visit might very well win you over. Let us know how it goes!
The new branding turns me cold too, which is a shame because they make amazing watches!
I have a CW with the old school branding, which I'm not crazy about, nor the handset, but I love the build (its a tank), keeps great time,, and it looks great. I am a fan, but Oak and Oscar is 1.5 hours away in Chicago and their stuff doesn't speak to me, so maybe you are on to something!
Just checked out O&O. The pricing seems a bit toppy for a very narrow range of designs. They certainly have their look buttoned down.
My first proper Watch and still my favourite
I can’t speak to their product, since my bel canto was ordered on the first day of new batches new year 2023 and still hasn’t arrived. But I can tel you a ton about their customer service: it was supposed to be ready in summer. Then got an email (no explanation) with a further delay until February 2024. No context at all. I asked several times whether that deadline would be met and this was confirmed even this week, but guess what: of course the supposed deliver is now late march. Needless to say this kickstarter like behaviour is not exactly what you’d expect from a proper watch company and they’re hiding behind the excuse of “growth”. I still dont know what the issues are, but again, horrid communication. So just beware: the date the promise to deliver your watch and the date you may or may not get it might very likely be the gestation period of a human (and don’t expect decent communication on between). Even Rolex ADs are better in their communication and estimation of when you’ll get your steel sports model…
I just don’t care for the look of CW watches, especially the logo. There is nothing wrong with them, they just don’t catch my aesthetic. They are not the only watch that I feel that way about. There is also the fact that I won’t pay more than $1000 for a watch and with the the increasing number of quality microbrands out there, even that number is coming down for me.
Interesting to hear though sorry for you. I will ask in general terms about this too when I am in - you might get it before then!
To be honest I am done with pre-orders and Kickstarter - too many bad experiences even though the products themselves have been mostly okay (and in some cases terrific).
The pain of the process can really take the shine off a watch. I have one v nice watch now but all I see whenever I look at it is months of poor communication and frustration (easily the worst of these experiences for me).
Don’t plan on putting my head in that noose ever again.
I just don’t care for the look of CW watches, especially the logo. There is nothing wrong with them, they just don’t catch my aesthetic. They are not the only watch that I feel that way about. There is also the fact that I won’t pay more than $1000 for a watch and with the the increasing number of quality microbrands out there, even that number is coming down for me.
I am mostly with you - I’ve gone from negative to objectively neutral - and it’s only because they are so close that I am going in there. In many ways it’s a case of I don’t quite get the adoration so I’m curious to know a bit more and to see and handle them.
As you note there’s so much choice it’s handy to be able to close down a few avenues.
I'm in the market for a new watch and within reason I could get pretty much anything. The fact I'm seriously considering a black C63 GMT to go with my white C63 is testament to my opinion of their watches. I'll probably go for the Tudor BB pro GMT but I'm very tempted to buy a couple of CW instead. 🤔
I'm in the market for a new watch and within reason I could get pretty much anything. The fact I'm seriously considering a black C63 GMT to go with my white C63 is testament to my opinion of their watches. I'll probably go for the Tudor BB pro GMT but I'm very tempted to buy a couple of CW instead. 🤔
Nice choices to have. Never handled a CW but hope to have some basis for an informed opinion quite soon.
I have a couple of GMTs - which I do enjoy - but I generally like cleaner dials and so I’m not sure I will be chasing too many more down. I think I have reached peak GMT. Obviously the watch manufacturers haven’t as they can charge a premium for them.
I think my new preferred bezel is a dual bezel (timing and 12 hour) which gives great functionality (without the need for a GMT movement) but preserves the neatness of dial.
Look forward to seeing how your choices land.
Mike you just made me laugh and made my day! I do appreicate both your dad and watch collector advice. 😁To be fair though, I have traded out five watches and have not filled my watch box so I am trying to be responible with it all. I am in a bit of a treat yourself mode cuz work gave me a really nice performance review and bonus. 😬
Congrats on the review and bonus! Keep it up and you'll be running things soon! You have my complete blessing to treat yourself 😜
Also congrats on the CW! It's a stunner.
I didn’t like the name and it always stopped me pulling the trigger. When they changed to the logo, I paid a visit to the showroom and picked up a C60 - very happy with it so far