Opinions about the new Aquitaine series

Hey Everyone,

I am a big fan of Christopher Ward watches, and I already had the opportunity to know that I am not the only one here at WatchCrunch. I am writing this post because today they released a new series of watches called Aquitaine, interesting pieces but I feel that they are a crossover of 2 watches. Please meet:

The Father:

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The Mother

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The Son

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I am curious to know your opinion about these pieces.

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I hate how much I like it...(and probably need to go to some therapy/close the Hodinkee tab to think about why I dislike CW on-principle). I really appreciate that his name isn't scrawled across the top. I really like the colors! Feels like a cover that does it better than the original...

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They seem much more like a throwback to the Blancpain Fifth Fathoms than a TAG and Seiko mix....

I suppose this proves that no matter what somebody releases, people will find two watches with vaguely similar properties and compare them against it. 

Overall I think the new Aquitaine is a great release, and a nice update to the older C65. I wish they had released a black version, but apparently more colours are due latter this year, and into next year. 

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I think they look great! Love the sapphire bezel and the range of styles. interesting to see what they did with the logo - I personally like it, but I’m wondering what others think of it. 

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I really like the colour scheme of the blue and sand on the GMT, although not sure about it on the bracelet.  I've never purchased a diver but if they release this in a 38mm version as they did with the C60 then I'll have no choice but to buy!  Looks like another good release from CW and def better with the symbol under 12 o clock.

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Great that CW finally resolved the logo issue. I think these are super watches. CW doesn't get enough appreciation for how much of a value proposition all their watches are and how genuinely creative they can be (e.g. their see through sapphire faces). Not sure these are my personal style, although I bet they'd win me over in person. Love the curved sapphire. Not sure about the colours. Thinness of these watches is quite good (~12.5 for both the diver and the GMT--take that Grand Seiko!). I have a CW on steel bracelet and I'm sure the bracelet on these is even better, with easy on the fly micro adjust. Brands that do bracelets well don't get enough credit sometimes and credit is due to CW there as well.

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I was a bit turned off when it said 41mm case then they sucked me back in when it said 46mm lug to lug. That’s SKX territory….❤️
Will need to see it in the metal….

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It’s a bit bold to refer to themselves as a future classic when they look very similar to other divers. This is not a dig, personally I think many divers share similar DNA so what makes them stand out isn’t necessarily apparent on the surface, but other than the new (awful) logo and the trident sweeping seconds hand, it’s just a diver.

However, CW have a good rep on here, and seem to represent good value for money, so I will defer to the majority as to whether this is a decent prospect.

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Porthole

It’s a bit bold to refer to themselves as a future classic when they look very similar to other divers. This is not a dig, personally I think many divers share similar DNA so what makes them stand out isn’t necessarily apparent on the surface, but other than the new (awful) logo and the trident sweeping seconds hand, it’s just a diver.

However, CW have a good rep on here, and seem to represent good value for money, so I will defer to the majority as to whether this is a decent prospect.

Some of their copy (e.g. "future classic") is over the top marketing speak. The logo isn't new--it's been embossed on crowns for a while. It's new on the face of the watch. And I really like that logo--it's simple but meaningful.

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Really happy they finally went with the icon for primary logo. I like the green variant a lot.

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jterran

Some of their copy (e.g. "future classic") is over the top marketing speak. The logo isn't new--it's been embossed on crowns for a while. It's new on the face of the watch. And I really like that logo--it's simple but meaningful.

I admit I dont particularly dive into the brand, but it sounds like you are chastising me for pointing out the change in the dial logo and the over-the-top marketing, and then telling me the dial logo has changed for the first time and the marketing is deliberately over-the-top. 
I also do not think the logo is very nice as it looks like a Space Invader, but I can tell when perhaps my opinion is not required, so thank you for your time, I’m sorry if I’ve upset you with my honest critique, and I’ll bow out of the thread now.

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KristianG

They seem much more like a throwback to the Blancpain Fifth Fathoms than a TAG and Seiko mix....

I suppose this proves that no matter what somebody releases, people will find two watches with vaguely similar properties and compare them against it. 

Overall I think the new Aquitaine is a great release, and a nice update to the older C65. I wish they had released a black version, but apparently more colours are due latter this year, and into next year. 

I was thinking Fifty Fathoms also, not sure I love this new CW but I do like the use of the logo on the dial. I just think there are other retro dive watches running a SW200 that I like more for less $

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I was a big CW fan 7-10 years ago.

I'm sure these are nice watches , but get a heartfelt "meh" from me.

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I think the Chris Ward design language is going in the right direction. I like their modern looking logo at 12 o'clock and thank god there's nothing at 9 o'clock! They've seem to have settled for a decent pair of hour and minute hands which is unique to the brand. I'm also a fan of the cream dial and patina lume. Overall, I liking all three but probably wouldn't buy any of them. They've still not made the right CW watch for me but it's getting closer.

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thatguy306

I was thinking Fifty Fathoms also, not sure I love this new CW but I do like the use of the logo on the dial. I just think there are other retro dive watches running a SW200 that I like more for less $

There is an element of Fifty Fathoms to the bezel, it has that curved/roundness to it that I’ve seen adopted by Helson as well. Again, this is not a savage critique on either CW or Helson, nor is it preciousness towards Blancpain and the Fifty Fathoms, but an observation, and ties in with my views concerning shared DNA amongst divers. This seems to be an unpopular opinion so I’ll stop there.

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I dig the new logo although I had no issues with the old logo.

It could just be me but I've got vintage dive watch fatigue. I would love to see CW (and others) incorporate a more modern design language into their pieces.

That said, these new pieces are really cool and will attract lots of buyers. CW has been on an absolute tear the past 2 years.

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These are some of the first CW watches to give pause in quite awhile. Really love the white dial/green bezel combo. Reminds me a lot of the Laventure Transatlantique which I think is gorgeous. Look forward to hearing reviews on these. 🤙

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KristianG

CW has been using the twin flags logo on watch faces for some time, but it was almost always a subdued version. 

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You can usually see it most clearly on my bronze C60, but it is present on all three of my CW divers. 

Wow! didn't realize that. I thought I had geeked out enough on their watches but I guess not!

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bevelwerks

These are some of the first CW watches to give pause in quite awhile. Really love the white dial/green bezel combo. Reminds me a lot of the Laventure Transatlantique which I think is gorgeous. Look forward to hearing reviews on these. 🤙

I liked the Laventure too. If you liked this creamy-white/green combo, take a look in this one:

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It s a Gnomon Exclusive partnership with Steinhart. I am not a fan of the brand because of the ""Homages"" they have but this one is quite beautiful. And it is a 39mm GMT...

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Like it a lot

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To me its more of a Yachmaster and black bay kid

Theyre really stunning,Especially the white one.Definetly would consider getting the white one in the future

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thiago

I liked the Laventure too. If you liked this creamy-white/green combo, take a look in this one:

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It s a Gnomon Exclusive partnership with Steinhart. I am not a fan of the brand because of the ""Homages"" they have but this one is quite beautiful. And it is a 39mm GMT...

Appreciate you pointing this one out - hadn’t seen it before! They nailed the typeface on the bezel, but feel the lighter green is a bit too saturated (for me) where as the Laventure is more muted. It’s a small detail bit it gives the watch a decidedly different vibe (but not a bad one). Still this may be the closest I ever get to the Laventure 😂 

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Honestly reeeaaaalllly cool. Just wish it was a “true” GMT movement but price dictates otherwise. 

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A great interview with Mike France about the new watch, and CW in general. 

NEW C65 Aquitaine Watches INTERVIEW with Mike France CEO Christopher Ward - YouTube

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Very nice, lol 

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Porthole

There is an element of Fifty Fathoms to the bezel, it has that curved/roundness to it that I’ve seen adopted by Helson as well. Again, this is not a savage critique on either CW or Helson, nor is it preciousness towards Blancpain and the Fifty Fathoms, but an observation, and ties in with my views concerning shared DNA amongst divers. This seems to be an unpopular opinion so I’ll stop there.

I've always liked that curved bezel insert.  If CW releases this in black I may suddenly think I should get one but right now I'd still likely go Sealander or C60 Trident Pro first.

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Springdale

I think they look great! Love the sapphire bezel and the range of styles. interesting to see what they did with the logo - I personally like it, but I’m wondering what others think of it. 

So happy they got rid of the text ..that just looked like the label of an underwear brand.

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You are correct. 

Though the series name sounds more like a brand of cologne. 

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I like the blue with bronze, but I already have more than 10 CW watches.. need to wait a bit. 

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You got a point there.😂

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Nice watch. I do get Fifty Fathoms vibes, which isn’t a bad thing. The trident 🔱 has never bothered me, but it does make me think of Dirty Rotten Scoundrels every time I hear the word.

”Your trident, sir…”

”Not mother??”

”What‘s the cork on his fork for?”

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