Introducing a delightful combination of English design and Swiss watchmaking expertise, Christopher Ward set up its online store back in 2004. Christopher Ward watches are all hand-assembled in Switzerland, giving the watches the quality assurance and precision of Swiss watches; while retaining the English essence through designing and styling.
This luxury watchmaking company set up in London prides itself on purely focusing on the art, science, and engineering of watchmaking. Consequently, the brand set up its online store to approach its customer directly. The intention was also to eliminate the middlemen otherwise involved. As a result, the brand provides a robust collection of watches at honest and affordable pricing.
In this article, we will cover the brand history, some of their famous timepieces, the brand reputation, and more!
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Christopher Ward Brand History
Founded by three pioneers of retail business, Christopher Ward, Mike France, and Peter Ellis entered the watchmaking industry with a mission to unite their friendship and love for watchmaking. From this, the brand Christopher Ward was born on a boat on the River Thames. At the time of set up, the brand was the only online watch store shipping worldwide. This goes back to the brand’s intention to reduce the costs of luxury watches by cutting down on middlemen and celebrities. As a result, truly marvelous timepieces were available to all!
The brand’s website will tell you that they are bold and ambitious, yet they play by the book. This is evident in their watches with the designing and craftsmanship. With every passing year since its inception, Christopher Ward managed to innovate and push its rivals to raise the standards of watchmaking.
The Journey of Christopher Ward
To encapsulate the brand’s motto in four words – Ingeniously English, Unsurprisingly Swiss.
When the trio got together to launch Christoper Ward, neither of them were watchmakers in the same sense as their rivals. Yet, their connection to Swiss watchmakers paved way for them to enter the world of horology. Once in, they realized that that luxury watchmakers source their components from the same manufacturers. However, they marked up their price to almost 34 times, making them highly expensive. To set a new example and to turn over a new leaf, Christopher Ward watches sell their timepieces at only 3 times the markup prices. As a result, the brand opened up the world of luxury watches to those who couldn’t afford one before!
In 2005, the company introduced the C5 Malvern Automatic and the C3 Malvern Chronograph on their online store. Since the brand looked to cut off celebrity endorsements as well, they posted an ad in The Telegraph publicizing the company. After a long wait, the sales started to boost, thanks to an influential watch expert Dave Malone. His review with Timezone.com, the world’s largest forum, as “best value mechanical watch in the world” initiated their never-ending years of success.
Following the success of their first editions, in 2008, the company collaborated with Synergies Horlogères, a Swiss watchmaking company. Together, they built their in-house “JJ Calibres” movement as seen in their C9 Series. Subsequently, in 2014, to mark the 10-year anniversary, the company introduced the Calibre SH21.
Innovation at the Center of Success
Ever since the launch of the in-house Calibre SH21, Christopher Ward stepped up its game by a notch. The brand changed its logo and introduced new editions that mark the brand’s top of the line designing, finishing, and essence of timekeeping. We will talk more about these watches in the section below under collection.
Furthermore, the brand also offers a 60-day free return policy and a guarantee on their movements for 60 months. The brand has come a long way since its inception and promises to never compromise its mission to put the art of watchmaking at the forefront; along with the highest level of satisfaction to its loyal fan base.
Christopher Ward Watch Collections
This section will cover some bestsellers and new releases. Given that the brand focuses on each timepiece with utmost care and precision, it does not have categorical collections like other brands. Therefore, this section will dive into their different timepieces with its unique features that sets them all apart.
C65 Super Compressor
Designed for diving, the C65 Super Compressor gets more efficient the deeper you go underwater. Inspired by retro design, yet engineered with modern technology, the C65 Super Compressor uses Sellita SW200 Swiss-made self-winding movement. The timepiece also comes with 38 hours of power reserve and an in-built anti-shock system to ensure accuracy.
What makes this timepiece so special? The watch uses the “super compressor” system developed in the 1950s by Ervin Piquerez SA. This technology prevents malfunction with increased water pressure as divers go deeper underwater. However, adapting it with contemporary watchmaking techniques, Christopher Ward managed to reverse engineer the technology. As a result, the watch is thin and light, yet highly functional and powerful.
Additionally, the timepiece is available in two variants, black sand or oceanic blue dials. Super-LumiNova® Grade X1 GL C1 coat on the dial ensures accurate time reading in dark waters. The face of the watch proudly showcases the new logo below 12 o’clock. With a 41 mm case diameter, the watch is resistant up to 500 ft underwater. The timepiece also comes equipped with a crown screw at 2 o’clock to rotate the inner bezel and at 4 o’clock to adjust hands and date.
C1 Moonglow
Designed with a 40.5 mm case diameter, the C1 Moonglow offers unparalleled innovation and styling with a unique moon phase movement. The in-house movement designed by Christopher Ward promises accurate reading of the moon’s orbit for 128 years! The detailing on the face of the watch echos the brand’s vision of producing artful ambitious watches.
The dial showcases two 3D moons coated with Grade X1 GL C1 Super-LumiNova®. You can read the phase of the moon through the aperture at 12 o’clock, while the second moon masked with a shadow-like smoked glass finish offers a unique look. The black dial highlights the hour hands and the rotating outer ring making it easy to read the time even in the darkest conditions.
Above all, the timepiece uses the Calibre JJ04, another in-house marvel with 38 hours of power reserve. Water-resistant up to 100 ft, this moon phase watch is a symbol of supremacy in horology.
C1 Worldtimer
Purposefully crafted for the traveling soul, the C1 Worldtimer allows you to read up to 24 different time zones at once. To further push the boundary of innovation, the face of the watch features a world map to accentuate the feel and essence of the watch.
Engineered with Calibre JJ03, the underlying component comes powered with a 24-hour disc to read the world time all at once. The crown allows you to keep track of international timezones by turning it clockwise. However, the watchmaker also gives you the option of just tracking time from your city with an orange indicator, by simply turning the crown anti-clockwise.
This 43.5 mm watch ensures water resistance up to 100 ft and a power reserve of 40 hours. The face of the watch adorns a white background that highlights the blue world map. The timepiece is available in a blue leather strap that neatly complements the face of the watch.
C8 Power Reserve Chronometer
The C8 Power Reserve Chronometer takes inspiration from the aviation cockpit timepieces. However, rebuilt to meet the modern-day flying needs, the timepiece seamlessly mergers British aeronautically designing with Swiss watchmaking technology.
The 44 mm case watch comes with an SH21 Calibre that can hold up to 120 hours, or 5 days, of power reserve when fully hand-wound. Above all, the Contrôle Officiel Suisse des Chronomètres (COSC) certification stands evidence for its precision and accuracy. The altimeter inspired date window takes place at 3 o’clock. Two secondary sub-dials, one at 9 o’clock indicate the power reserve, and the other at 6 o’clock, record seconds. With almost 160 ft of water resistance, this timepiece comes clasped with a camel color leather strap.
C60 Lympstone
A military-grade watch, the C60 Lympstone pays tribute to the Royal Marines, by taking the name from the Royal Marines’ Commando Training Centre in Devon, UK. This edition, approved by the Ministry of Defence, uses steel and carbon to withstand tough and harsh conditions. Flip the watch to see the laser engraved official insignia of the Royal Marines.
Designed and assembled with almost 5000 carbon fibres per square inch, the C60 Lympstone will withstand any extreme condition on land or in the sea. The timepiece uses Sellita SW200 Automatic Chronometer, also approved and certified by Contrôle Officiel Suisse des Chronomètres.
With a 42 mm case diameter, the hour hands come coated with Super-LumiNova® Grade X1 GL C1. Water-resistant up to almost 2000 ft, the watch comes with a compass on the inner bezel. The outer bezel allows you to mark a point with 120 clicks per circuit. Finally, the grey and black matte finish provide the timepiece a rugged like camouflage finish.
These are just some top-selling and most popular watches crafted by Christopher Ward. The brand’s official website offers a complete list of all their editions so make sure to go through them based on your need.
Christopher Ward Brand Reputation
Watch aficionados and enthusiasts believe that Christopher Ward can be a good gateway to the world of luxury watches. The technical craftsmanship, higher attention to detailing, and preferences of customer satisfaction make it a worthy contender of luxury watches. To top it, the relative affordability, given the innovation and precision, will not burn a hole in your savings.
The brand’s promise to build quality timepieces, hand assemble the components in Switzerland, and keeping pushing for more contemporary benefits are all a huge plus to further its reputation. Moreover, the brand’s in-house movements prove to be accurate after years of use as well.
Is Christopher Ward A Good Watch Brand?
Much like most watch brands, Christopher Ward draws slightly mixed reviews by virtue of calling themselves a luxury watch brand. While on one side, watch lovers argue that the value and build do not come close to Omega (a brand some feel that Christopher Ward seeks to immulate ).
The other side argues in favor of its quality and longevity. This could also come with the fact that watch lovers expect the most of a luxury brand, and when an entry-level brand like Christopher Ward finds its place in the same segment, it does not fully satisfy the standards of a long-standing Swiss brand on reputation or retail value.
Put these expectations aside, customers who own a Christopher Ward vouch for its quality, accuracy, and styling. They love the design and the comfort of the wrists. As a result, many watch lovers believe it offers true value for money. Given the price and the technical know-how used in making Christopher Ward, they will fit your bill if you want to own an entry-level luxury brand.
As we say in all our reviews, consider all options like purpose, usage, budget, and the need before investing in a watch.
Where To Buy Christopher Ward Watches?
Christopher Ward watches can be bought online from their official website. Currently, the brand ships their watches across 109 countries.
Unlike other luxury watch brands, Christopher Ward does not engage with any middlemen or distributors to sell their watches. This allows them to mark the price at a lower end making it affordable for all!
Where Are Christopher Ward Made?
Designed in Britain but hand-assembled and engineered in Switzerland, the Christopher Ward watches offer a unique blend of best of both worlds. As a result, the brand boasts of ingenious British styling while also keeping up with the uncompromising world-class Swiss grade of luxury watches.
Christopher Ward Watch Warranty
Christopher Ward offers 60|60 guarantee.
This means, if you are unsatisfied with your new watch, for whatever reason, you can return it for a full refund within 60 days for the date of purchase. To avail of this benefit, you must ensure that the watch is in perfect condition, without any damage. Please remember to keep the original packaging and the documentation safe for a full refund. However, if you are unable to satisfy this, the brand will give you a partial refund and deduct the amount based on the condition of the watch or the missing documents.
Additionally, Christopher Ward also offers sixty months, i.e. five years, guarantee on their watches. If your timepiece develops any mechanical defects or manufacturing defects within the five years, the brand will replace the watch for free. However, this guarantee applies only if you comply with their servicing policy. On the flip side, you will lose the five-year guarantee if:
- you get the watched service by anyone other than Christopher Ward;
- you do not follow their stipulated servicing policy.
Moreover, the guarantee will not cover:
- over-winding issues;
- accidents or damage or negligence;
- cosmetic damage;
- magnetization;
- strap and bracelet;
- water damaged caused when worn beyond the watch’s resistance.
