We’ve looked at a handful of watches from Christopher Ward, and I finally myself constantly looking through their catalog. To day, however, they’ve not really had any cases made out of “exotic” materials. At least, that is, until now.
CW is getting ready to release (at the end of January) their newest model, the C11 Titanium Elite Chronometer. Yes, this case started off the same as the Manta Ray we reviewed here, but rather than a steel case, we instead have titanium. This reduces the weight of the piece by 45%, as well as making for a very corrosion-resistant piece.
Another big change to the case is the inclusion of a helium-release valve. Now, most of us won’t need that, I’m sure, but it’s nice to see the robustness (and protection) being built into a watch. The final major change is the inclusion of an internal (movable) countdown bezel.
What hasn’t changed is the extremely legible dial and wide (and well-lumed) hands – this will make for a very readable piece, whether you’re out at night or somewhere under the waves. You’ll also have an ETA 2824-2 movement powering things, though in this example it’s been upgraded to a COSC-certified model.
The best part about this particular watch is that, as a purpose-built diver (with a 500m water resistance rating), it still really relatively thin. Combine that with the lightweight titanium, and you’ve got a very wearable piece. Of course, when you roll in the limited nature of this model (only 500 pieces being produced), it’s not much of a surprise that the pre-order price (here) is $1035.
While I find a lot of the features (individually) are nice, as a whole package, this particular design (well the whole C11 lineup) is just a little too plain for my tastes. However, if you’re looking for a diver that doesn’t scream diver, this could very well be a good solution for you.
