The Twelve

I don't like their logo, and I don't like their brand name

that being said, I kinda dig the purple twelve Ti, but 2075 quid? Come on, so not worth it

I kind of dig on their passion to create different variations of watches that appeals to different watch lovers. This is dispite them being relatively new in watch making and their limited resources and budgets. I'm sincerely impressed by their resources and passion. Hopefully they would be able to continue to innovate and create their distinctive watches.

Bel canto was a one hit wonder for CW, they had a real opportunity to do more with their movement design may be combine the jump hour and chime. Given the demand ( my bel canto won’t be delivered until 2024) they could even command a premium. I agree this is a lazy release and a copy of the czapek antarctique.

I am not a big integrated watch band fan but I think they did a good job with the design and at less than 10mm tall for an automatic I think they did well.

Considering the latest fad of retro design integrated bracelet watches, I guess I wasn’t surprised when The 12 was released, but it’s so far from the strength of their lineup I guess I was a bit surprised that they went “all in” on the options and materials part of it. And as stated above, it’s price prohibitive in my opinion… if you’re dying for a watch like this, get a Tissot PRX for a fraction of the money.

That being said, I have a C60 Trident Pro 300 and that watch is a phenomenal example of quality, features and value. CW should probably recognize and play to their strengths.

Derivative…maybe. Jumping on the bandwagon— yep.

But calling the culmination of hours of R&D, manufacturing, and marketing for an overall attractive watch a lazy release is an overstatement IMO.

I do like CW, but hate the whole "GG Emperor's New Clothes" integrated bracelet. Really can't stand the Nautilus, RO etc...

I do like the dial on this , but otherwise it's jumping on the bandwagon that's being pulled by a cash cow 🤣

There'll be loads of integrated bracelet watches on the used market in a bit when the hype has died .

You nailed it 💯 %

My experience is that those that have handled the 12 generally have a more favorable opinion of it then those that haven't. For me the hand feel, finishing and the way the faceted bracelet catches the light were all of a premium nature also IMO CW works harder than most to be relevant and responsive.

I appreciated the 12 more than many other recent offerings that are attempting to stand on the shoulders of giants with their integrated bracelets and polygonal dial frames.

We enthusiasts can be a fickle bunch. Give us what we are already hungrily buying and we use terms like "lazy","unimaginative", "design rip off" or "jumping on the bandwagon". The technical excellence displayed in CW's integrated bracelet alone is a praiseworthy advance rather than being merely derivative.

Very few watch designs are truly unique and withstand the cycles of popularity. A different question altogether is whether the 12 is a well built watch attempting to give a segment of our hobby exactly what they want and to that I would say Yup as evidenced by the many buyers at WindUp that were voting with their wallets.

I'm not really sure how it's lazy. Derivative yes but they've been very open about it's influences. Having dealt with both the PRX and this, the finishing difference is immediate and obvious. The bracelet is miles better as is the case finish.

They have little details like matching date wheel windows down which luxury brands like JLC on an 11k watch can't even do.

My only concern was the textured dial could be OTT. But in person it's really well executed and plays well with the light.

My criticism lies with the sw200 and it's horrendous spinning rotor track record. Which means unfortunately for me the only viable option is the sw300 option with the more exotic dials. I prefer the plain dials of the steel.

I saw these renders the day they released like the rest of us and I was not impressed, though I think if they did a more safe sunburst dial it would look fine. Then the next day or so I got to see them at Windup SF and I kind of like them. The titanium is beautiful though the white dial (I think a steel option) is the most handsome and the only one I’d consider purchasing. They feel and look much better in hand when you can see how the dial and how the polishing on the bracelet play with light. If you were in the market for an integrated bracelet for less than the price of ‘a ton of damn money’ it’s at least worth a look.

I have seen comments on here that they are considering or planning a 36mm and if they do it on a more traditional without all that gesture I might be tempted (but probably not, I have a lot of watches).

Have u tried one out? Cuz I lowkey want a watch with an integrated bracelet so I’m thinking this or the prx. I’m leaning prx bc of price and also bc I need something a bit dressier bc I only own dive watches atm lol

I haven't. Also I'm VERY VERY VEEEEERY biased for Swatch group brands lol also, it feels just safer with bigger brands than "micro" brand such as CW, esp at that price point

I think this falls perfectly in line with most their offerings and philosophy.

I once listened to an interview with Mike France who "admitted" their take on watches is that most are basically derivatives of a few designs. As far as I remember they refer to these as "platforms" (roughly it should be something like explorer=sealander, submariner=trident, fifty fathoms=aquataine, royal oak=twelve) and don't bother developing much from the ground up. I guess that is how they keep quality high and cost low. They make good watches (I habe owned on in the past) with a touch of their own design language, but not more than a touch really. As such most of their designs are "lazy" but some of the platforms are subject to more social media hype and thus easier recognised. It goes as far as their brand name where at some point they couldn't bother finding a good one and just picked one dudes name. Of course it haunts them to thus day but they seem to know their strengths and creativity don't seem to be amongst them. And that's okay.

The Bel Canto is the odd watch out and they can't make all that many of them as they were caught by surprise a little but it also isn't their "bread and butter".

Agree with you on the Super Compressor … the itch is strong for this one 😂🤙

I'm glad to see they got rid of the Trident on the seconds hand. Some like it I'm sure, but it stopped me from considering them. Fickle, I know.

I think the Twelve is a solid entry in a popular market segment, for folks looking for the Genta look at a lower price, but specifically *not* a PRX like everyone else has.

Really have to take exception with the term lazy. Christopher Ward is no different in terms of derivative designs as similar or more lauded watchmakers. Think they’ve excelled in many models but to each his own. Playing it safe doesn’t mean lazy. I own a CW so I do have a conflict I guess.

Yeah, that's kind of why I put lazy in "..." since many brands do that but I do believe the term isn't entirely inaccurate. But we can call it "safe", fine by me 😉

Very well said.

Fair point 😉

Lazy relase is a terrible take on the tweleve. When they say that they took their time, they started working on it in 2017.

I see people calling it a copy of czapek which is contradictory when it comes to other conseus understanding of other integrated watches. The royal oak and the ingeniur are very similar still people don’t stamp either a copy because they had the same designer. Why does that not apply to the twelve and czapek? The designer that worked on the antartique was also working on the twelve.

The lazy take becomes even worse when you look at the twelve in the context of price. The genta watches are starting from 8000 and up. The highlife from FC does not have the genta design language and the PRX’s case creates a considerste distance from genta.

Maybe lazy is the wrong word. For the record, I don’t dislike it. I just think there’s something that separates this release from the rest of the lineup…

I have both the Czapek Antartique and the CW Twelve 😅. The Twelve is a great watch for what it is and I very much enjoy wearing it. Charm is a very subjective manner, many of CW dive watches look like other dive watches too (then again I always found dive watches to all look quite similar), but you don’t see much complaints about it.

I’ve the PRX as well and frankly The Twelve *feels* better. PRX looks good but it oozes retro vibe whereas The Twelve feels more expensive than it actually is and is a lot more dressy.

Have a Bel Canto on order too! Can’t wait.

I’m kind of surprised by responses here. I find the Twelve to be quite attractive and I’m seriously considering the blue titanium model. The only downside is that it would be early November before I would receive it.

Why do people hate this watch so much when the PRX and G-Shock are more like copies of the RO? Seems hypocritical to me.

I’ve thought further on this. This is a more refined take - the watch appears to be well thought through, and has a lot to offer for an amazing price. In that regard, that’s what a Christopher Ward should be. However - to me it feels similair to a band releasing an album that the producers told them would be better for radio. And that album always gets the most attention, it’s usually technically the best release; but misses something that appealed to it’s original audience.

How was the grey stainless look? Still prefer the white?

I think I prefer the white, I’m not sure they brought a gray one to windup, or I just don’t remember it specifically.