Christopher Ward has made a lot of watches with ties to motor sports, and to legendary cars. Their latest release deepens this connection, with 4 watches commemorating the tradition of Grand Prix racing in Europe. The Christopher Ward C70 GP Chronometer is a COSC certified chronograph offered in four flavors, honoring British, French, Belgian and Italian race tracks.
The Ferrari Red watch is related to the 1921 Italian (of course) Grand Prix, the British Racing Green watch above is honoring the first British (of course) Grand Prix, the yellow is tied to the first running of the Belgian Grand Prix in 1925, and the Blue honors the best known Grand Prix, Le Mans in France. In addition to the dial and bezel colors, the nationalities are represented by the country’s flags shown under the sapphire crystal on the caseback. Also distinguishing the watches is a plaque on the side of the watch honoring the winner of each inaugural race.
All of the models look to be pretty bold and colorful, with polished 42mm stainless cases and COSC certified and temperature compensated ETA 251.264 quartz chronograph movements driving the watch. In addition to the choice of colors, the are three strap options, a 22mm rubber or perforated Italian leather strap for $825 or a stainless steel bracelet for $895. Each watch is limed to a numbered run of 500.
Other very nice touches are the domed museum grade sapphire crystal and the pattered dial. Based in the experience I have with the brand, I expect the watch to be very nicely finished. I also like that the chronometer features are straight forward, with well marked dials for 1/10s of a second, and 12 hours, and two central hands for chronograph seconds and minutes. Orders are being taken now for delivery in mid April. christopherward.com
Watch Overview:
- Brand & Model: Christopher Ward C70 GP Chronometer
- Price: $825 to $895, depending on strap
- Who we think it might be for: Grand Prix racing fans
- Would I buy one for myself based on what I’ve seen?: Buy.. probably not. But I would wear one, probably the red one.
- If I could make one design suggestion, it would be: Maybe a little texturing on the pushers and crown.
- What spoke to me the most about this watch: It is bold without being overly busy.
Tech Specs from Christopher Ward:
- Movement: COSC Certified ETA 251.264 quartz chronograph
- Functions: chronograph with 1/10 second, date, tachymeter
- Case: 316L Stainless Steel
- Glass: AR coated convex sapphire crystal
- Water resistance: 10 ATM
- Lug width: 22mm
- Straps: Leather, rubber, or stainless steel bracelet
- Diameter : 42mm
- Length: Not specified
- Case height: 11.8mm
- Weight of watch head: Not specified
