OK, any filthy-rich Patek/JLC collectors can tune out for a moment...
Has anyone got a Christopher Ward in their collection? My C5 Malvern just arrived (steel case, steel/white face, black leather), and I'm delighted and impressed by the value for money.
Piccies!
Rough spec:
ETA 2824-2 (entry level 25 jewel) movement with center-seconds (my favourite complication due to the shape of the wheel train) and subtle date at the 3 position, decorated with some simple turning and blued screws, and engraved with the CW name.
Screw-down crown (5ATM on a dress watch isn't bad).
Saphire glass.
2-piece dial.
3-piece case with Display back.
The CW branded leather strap is comfortable and well matched with a slim and elegant deployment clasp (I expected to have to replace it at this money).
The box/manuals etc are all OK too - you could give one as a gift and it would feel special enough.
How much was it? £265. Read that again. £265 for a Swiss-made, lightly decorated, automatic, display-backed, water-proof(ish) dress watch with a nice leather strap. What's the catch? Fooked if I can find one...
In terms of feel-good factor, I'm getting the warm-tinglies! It's obviously a very different proposition to the usual brands... no history or heritage or war stories to buy into and get all trouser-tented about (sadly), and very little marketing to see what lifestyle choices I'm proclaiming by wearing a CW, but then no 600%-1000% markup either to pay for all that guff. CW don't advertise, only sell online and don't do high-street window-space wars, so costs are low, and markup is fair, and thus price is low. I think I like that. I'm getting a happy feeling from the value for money rather than the craftsmanship or the technological wizardry or the glamour or the heritage or the James Bond factor or the latest fashion or all the usual horological stuff (which I still totally enjoy by the way). It's just a very nicely finished watch for very little money. It's not chronometer-accurate obviously, but has the potential to be... (where are my screwdrivers?
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The C5 certainly won't be the last dress watch I ever buy, but I can't see me selling it either. It can stay.
Anyone else had one, got one, or played with one? What did you think?
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