Christopher Ward co-founder Mike France was at Wind-Up Watch Fair in New York last month presenting his latest collection of British-designed, Swiss-made timepieces.
What most punters at the show did not see was the company’s first chiming watch, which Mr France had squirreled away in his pocket, only to be shown to a favored few, including WATCHPRO.
Today the Christopher Ward C1 Bel Canto (translation beautiful singing) watch is revealed to the world, and so is its price, just £2,995 for a timepiece that chimes the hours.
It is the first time this high end complication has made its way into a Christopher Ward watch, and sets a new price point for a horological feature for which collectors typically pay five or six figure prices.
One contributor to the price is in its movement, which is a modified version of the JJ01 calibre with a jumping hour module.
The company’s watchmaker, Frank Stelzer, realized that the movement could be adapted to strike a titanium gong that circles the lower three quarters of the dial.
Christopher Ward has christened the movement the Calibre FS01.
Mr Stelzer designed the watch with a pusher at 4 o’clock that enables or disables the hourly chime.
Hours and minutes are displayed on a small face at the top of the dial.
It comes in a 41mm titanium case that is 13mm high and can be worn on a titanium bracelet or blue leather strap.
Limited to only 300 pieces in Azzurro blue, the £2,995 C1 Bel Canto is a leap forward for the Anglo-Swiss Christopher Ward, the company says.
That’s a lovely design, and you cannot beat that price. 100% Swiss made? Incredible.
A beautiful piece of art. I’ve been looking to purchase since launch. Unable to find this watch at or around the exceptional release price.
Be great to find someone who has a new one at a reasonable price.
However, well done again to Christopher Ward Mr Stelzer and design team.