Just Released: Christoper Ward C60 Concept

Today brings us a brand new, high end watch from Christopher Ward. Now, if you’ve been following the brand (as we have) you might be looking at this and say, well, that just looks like another variant on, say, the C60 Sapphire. And sure, it’s part of that line and family, but the Christoper Ward C60 Concept is taking things into some rather interesting directions.

As you can see, the Christoper Ward C60 Concept is very much an open dial (or no dial, really) watch, showing off a skeletonized movement. While some brands will be coy and hide who’s doing work for them, there’s no such qualms here. Starting off with the SH21 movement (and a 120-hour, or 5-day, power reserve), the crew over at Armin Strom were consulted on the skeletonization, and then the folks over at Chronode helped out with the finishing on the movement.

Whichever side you’re viewing the Christoper Ward C60 Concept from, you’re getting an eyeful of the gears and cogs that mke up the movement. While I can very often leave the idea of skeleton dials laying in the dust (in other words, not a fan), this is one that I can actually get behind. Not only are you seeing what makes up the movement, this feels like a movement that was designed to be shown off, and it looks rather presentable.

Of course, the big issues many skeleton watches have is their legibility. In the dark, the Christoper Ward C60 Concept has plenty of glow (also helped by that glowing triangle), helped by the larger handset. In regular lighting, things aren’t quite as stark of a contrast. That’s going to be one I think you’ll have to see in person, as far as how easy it is to pick out the handset (looks like it may be helped by polishing on the beveled edges of the hands).

Want to pick one up? Well, let’s remember that the Christoper Ward C60 Concept is their latest high-end piece, showcasing some things we’ll no doubt see trickle down to the C60 line. For what’s being offered here, it does feel like you’re getting stuff you’d more commonly see from luxury brands, so the price tag of $4,370 – while not inexpensive – feels like it’s punching above it’s weight, in terms of what is packaged up here. christopherward.com

Details from Christopher Ward

Features

Swiss made

Limited edition of 210 pieces
In-house 31 jewel Calibre SH21 automatic movement
120-hour power reserve

Chronometer (COSC) certified
Brushed and polished Titanium Grade 2 case
Hand-finished movement

Anti-shock system
Screw-down exhibition caseback
Unidirectional zirconia ceramic bezel

Anti-reflective sapphire crystal
Brushed and polished hands
Hand-finished movement

Anti-shock system
Screw-down exhibition caseback
Unidirectional zirconia ceramic bezel

Anti-reflective sapphire crystal
Brushed and polished hands
Sandblasted, brushed and polished blue dial ring with Super-LumiNova^® White (BL) filling and orange Globolight^® Triangle (BL)