Limited Edition Done Right - A Review

Having had this watch long term, I decided to give my thoughts!

To celebrate the release of the 36mm Sealanders, Christopher Ward did a limited release of three colors, each color limited to 150 each. The watches were the same as a normal sealander other than having a unique dial and strap. I purchased the ‘oxygen’ variant when it was released in spring. The blue version- ‘oxygen’ is supposed to represent the three different stages of oxygen(gas, liquid, solid).

Honestly, l found the purple to be the most interesting color but I wanted something to wear often and blue goes with everything.

Limited Editon done right (for a microbrand)

I think this is a limited edition done right. Limiting each edition to 150 feels…limited, as it should.

Although all they changed was the dial, I think that’s enough. It’s not only a different color but a different pattern and subtitle texture changes.

Some may want their limited editions to have a different case or perhaps some novelty in the movement. For established brands, that produce a lot in-house, that’s a reasonable expectation. The problem is that doesn’t really fit the Microbrand business model; creating a unique case or movement would make the watch inaccessible for most of their consumers.

An important part of doing limited editions right is not only limiting the release to small numbers but also controlling the frequency. Even though they may not release much in each batch, every subsequent limited edition release, makes the previous releases feel less special. I’m looking at you Seiko.👀

I’m sorry but even for a global brand like Seiko, 1500 pieces is not ‘limited’. I love Seiko but Seiko already has such a diverse catalogue that doing large number limited releases just feels redundant.

Christopher Ward seems strike a nice balance, as they only do limited editions when they are releasing a new model or partnering with an outside organization. This frequency still gives enthusiasts a chance to capture some of that novelty while not being always available.

Overall experience

One word: great. It does everything you can ask a watch to do, it’s easy to read, this SW-200 keeps excellent time (+1 sec/day), looks great and is comfortable. With a WR of 150m it really is a GADA watch.

This feels like Seiko and Omega had a baby. It’s the perfect blend between fun and quality.

Bracelet

The bracelet is comfortable with double screwed in links and has an on the fly adjustment that is easy to use. Undoubtedly the best manufacturered bracelet you’re gonna find at this price point.

However, the bracelet tapers from 20m down to 16mm before going back up to 18mm at the clasp. This makes the watch feel kinda oystery, like an homage to mid century sports watches but in the most pure form.

The problem (for me) is the clasp is quite bulky from the on the fly adjustment. It honestly just doesn’t feel like it belongs with this watch. I think on a 40mm diver or the 39mm Sealander, this wouldn’t be an issue but with the smaller case size it feels as though the clasp is as large as the watch.

I personally would gladly give up the on the fly adjustment for a more compact clasp. I find myself hardly ever using the on the fly adjustment system as it’s just not worth taking off the watch. First world problem, I know.

By its self, the bracelet is amazing. However, this watch plus this bracelet, it just feels a little off.

Case

Once I switched from the bracelet to this canvas strap, that’s when I fell in love. As I mentioned before, on the bracelet it feels like a modern mid-century watch. However, the strap really lets the individual personality of the ‘light catcher’ case shine through!

The 36mm sizing is a goldilocks zone, I have 7 inch wrist and it fits beautifully, I specifically get compliments on the size. It would also fit beautifully on someone with a 6 inch wrist, im even comfortable saying someone with 8 inch wrist could rock this.

I suspect this is no accident, as the sizing is almost identical to the modern 36mm OP cases: 46mm lug to lug, 20mm lug width, 11mm thickness. It seems like CW may have stolen a page from the Rolex playbook.

Make no mistake though, the design is very different. It doesn’t look like an oyster case, it just has the same comfort which is a win-win for me. (And perhaps why the watch feels oystery on the bracelet)

Movement

This houses a SW200-1. Earlier versions of this movement had problems with hand winding automatic movements, it would fail prematurely. The online watchmakers seem to think they have fixed it in the new versions but don’t recommend winding it more than necessary.

This SW200 has been weirdly accurate, I gained 5 seconds over a week the first (and only) time I tracked it. I wouldn’t expect it to be accurate but if does show that CW is doing the right things when it comes to sourcing these movements.

Closing thoughts

This is the perfect execution of a limited edition by a microbrand. It’s giving you enough to make you feel special, without being inaccessible.

I would highly recommend the 36mm sealander to anyone. If the design appeals to you, you really aren’t going to find a better watch for the money.