We are fans of Christopher Ward here at WWR, I think that is pretty evident. I purchased my CW before I started writing reviews, and it is still one of my go to watches when I am not wearing a watch for review. If you are not familiar with the brand, they are a London based company that sells Swiss made watches direct over the internet, with no brand ambassadors. They have recently starting flexing their watch making chops, creating a new in-house movement. The Christopher Ward C9 5 Day Small Second Chronometer uses the in-house SH21 hand wound movement to produce a COSC certified dress watch.
The Christopher Ward C9 5 Day Small Second Chronometer adds a new option to the C9 line, using the smaller 40 mm x 12.2 mm case to house the SH21 movement, this one with a small second complication. The watch adds blued hands against the white dial with a Roman numeral chapter ring, a very attractive combination. Fitting a > $1,000 watch, the watch uses sapphire crystals up front (AR coated, museum grade) and for the exhibition case-back (AR coated). The hand wound movement has a 120 hour (5 day) power reserve, hence the name. Patrick wrote about the central second hand version of the watch in March, and this version with the second hand relocated to the subdial offers a second take on the watch.
The dial gets a different treatment here than the central second version, with one piece construction and the chapter ring printed on the flat white dial. I do love the blue on white color scheme, but I also liked the applied indices of the central second hand version. Ah, choices. The watch comes on your pick of three Italian leather straps, black, blue and brown, all with an embossed alligator pattern and the CW developed Bader deployment clasp. The watches are available in stock for $1,785, a fair price for a Swiss COSC certified chronometer with an in-house movement. christopherward.com
Watch Overview
- Brand & Model: Christopher Ward C9 5 Day Chronometer
- Price: $1,785
- Who we think it might be for: People looking to step up to COSC Swiss chronometer.
- Would I buy one for myself based on what I’ve seen?: I would wear it, but it is out of my price range.
- If I could make one design suggestion, it would be: I would like to see the watch also offered in the 43 mm case.
- What spoke to me the most about this watch: Blued hands on a white dial are a weak spot for me.
Tech Specs from Christopher Ward
- Movement: SH21 hand wound movement
- Functions: Small second, date, COSC certified.
- Case: Stainless steel
- Crystal: AR coated sapphire (museum grade for front crystal)
- Water resistance: 5 Bar (50 meters)
- Lug width: 20 mm
- Straps: Alligator embossed Italian leather with Bader deployment clasp
- Diameter: 40 mm
- Case Height: 12.2 mm
