Christopher Ward – C1 Bel Canto Viola 41 Titanium

Christopher Ward – C1 Bel Canto Viola Titanium 41mm Automatic 2024-2025

The art of sound
C1 Bel Canto Viola: the chime is now

For those who don’t want to be seen wearing the emperor’s new clothes. Creating a chiming watch is one of the greatest challenges in watchmaking – and one that Christopher Ward has passed with the C1 Bel Canto Viola.

Meet the extraordinary C1 Bel Canto.

Pre-order by the end of January 2025. With a new, iridescent Viola dial in a lightweight titanium case, they seem completely alive, marking each hour with a cheerful, reassuring internal chime. And it sees The CW asserting its watchmaking ambitions like never before.

Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTO

Christopher Ward has always pushed the creative envelope. It’s this philosophy that produced in-house movement Calibre SH21, and was responsible for the legendary JJ calibres (named after our first master watchmaker Johannes Jahnke) – unique modules piggybacking on existing movements.

Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTO  

Created by CW’s technical director Frank Stelzer, Calibre FS01 is an ingenious modified movement with Christopher Ward’s DNA in every cog and spring. With an inspired piece of lateral thinking, Frank realised that CW’s ‘jumping hour’ movement could be adapted to create a chiming sound on the hour, every hour. More than 60 new components form the striking mechanism module which sits atop a Sellita SW200-1 base movement which provides the 38-hour power reserve. 

 

Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTO 

Today, the key to the C1 Bel Canto is FS01, a new chiming movement named after current technical director Frank Stelzer. In all horological history, little has tested the watchmaker like creating sound, so it’s no wonder Bel Canto took three years of tortuous development. Bel Canto is what’s called an hour chime, or – more romantically – a Sonnerie au Passage complication, which translates as ‘Passage of Time’.

Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTO 

“Bel Canto is an extrapolation of the C60 Concept, in that we’re taking the best hand-finished components and putting them within reach of many,” says Jörg Bader Junior, head of product at CW’s Biel atelier. “But in terms of technological challenge, it’s taken us into uncharted territory. We had to figure everything out for ourselves.”

The layered dial plays host to a floating time-telling sundial

The time-telling subdial ‘floats’ over the sunray-finished Viola dial, giving the wearer a feeling of depth. The hands and indexes are filled with Super-LumiNova® for after-dark visibility. With each JJ calibre, the desire wasn’t just to produce a complication, but to do it in a fresh, efficient way. Ten years ago, JJ01 was designed to offer the most accurate jumping-hour function possible and, by spreading the load over an entire hour, Johannes managed it. This success became one of the starting points for FS01.

Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTO 

It’s a little known fact that Christopher Ward creates watches for Meistersinger, the German specialist in single-hand timepieces. A few years ago Frank made a new model for them, the Bell Hora, a Sonnerie au Passage. Would it be possible to do something similar for Christopher Ward?

“The Bell Hora was a stepping stone,” says CEO and co-founder Mike France. “But with Bel Canto we wanted to bring the striking mechanism to the front, so the wearer could watch it in action. The question became: could we make a chiming watch both look and sound beautiful at the same time?”

Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTO

“Finding a way to split out the components so they felt balanced across the entire face, took years,” says CW watch designer Will Brackfield. “Each time we moved one piece, it had a knock-on effect on the others. The platine – the blue module plate behind the important elements – would have a gorgeous sunray finish, so we needed to find a way to hide minor components behind that too.”

Hand-finished to perfection

The multi-layered architecture of the Bel Canto’s dial is enhanced by the exquisitely executed polishing of the hammer, spring and bridges – which together resemble a songbird. Crafted by hand (under microscope) by some of Switzerland’s finest artisans, finishing of this standard is usually the preserve of only the most exclusive and expensive brands.

Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTO

“One of the great challenges was striking the right balance between note and loudness,” says CW’s head of product design, Adrian Buchmann. “We soon learned that the case would have to be made of Grade 5 titanium, a material we’d never used before, with lots of empty space and resonance points. It’s a very dense metal – and creates a sound cage with the best possible vibrations.”

Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTO 

 So, what exactly does the chime sound like? “Elegant,” says Mike. “Luxurious,” says Will. “A long, high-pitched note,” says Adrian.

The sound of silence

By pressing the pusher at 4 o’clock on the side of the case, you can switch off the chime – something that’s shown in the movement of the red indicator on the dial. No one can quite define it – it is more like a xylophone, or a hotel bell? – but all agree that it’s delightful. Technically, it turns out to be a D, also known as Re (“a drop of golden sun”) on the fixed do solfège system, familiar from The Sound Of Music.

Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTO

“One thing everyone comments on is how the bridge structure towards the bottom looks like a bird,” Mike says. “The red ‘beak’ is actually the on-off mechanism, controlled by a pusher at 4 o’clock, and moves to indicate whether the chime is on or off, while the hammer is its tail. Bel Canto means ‘beautiful singing’, so there’s whimsical humour going on which seems very Christopher Ward.”

A case built for sound

Our Light-catcher™ case has had a subtle but sporty makeover. The first CW case made from Grade 5 titanium, the metal – which is less dense than steel – has been chosen for its ability to amplify sound. The internal architecture of the case has also been designed for the same reason.

Other details are equally as ambitious. 

Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTO 

The dial consists of intriguingly stacked layers, rising from the platine through the bridges to the time-telling subdial and finally the twin-flags logo, printed on the lower surface of the sapphire crystal, while the titanium  41mm Light-catcher™case has been given a subtle sporty makeover.

Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTO 

Quite simply, no brand anywhere has made the art of sound so accessible, or opened up the possibility of owning such high horological art to so many. Hearing really is believing. 

 

We love quality watches – so much so that in 2004 we started making our own. Combining award-winning English design with the f nest Swiss watchmaking skills, and concentrating on craftsmanship rather than salesmanship, we’ve created watches that are the equal (or better than) the world’s most celebrated brands in every respect. Apart from price. The C1 Bel Canto is one such watch. But don’t take our word for it: Do your research

#ChristopherWard #C1BelCanto  

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TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

Collection: Bel Canto 

 Model: C1 Bel Canto Viola Automatic

 Ref. C01-41APT2-T00P0-B0

Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTO

Case
    Material: Grade 5 Titanium
    Size: 41mm
    Dial Colour: Viola
    Platine Colour: Viola
    Height: 13.0mm
    Lug-to-Lug: 48.0mm
    Case Weight 53g
    Weight inc. bracelet 113g
    Water Resistance: 3 ATM (30m)
Movement
    Sellita SW200-1 with Calibre FS01
    Power Reserve: 38 hours
    No of Jewels: 29
    Complication Type: Passing chime
    Vibrations: 28,800 p/hr (4Hz)
    Timing Tolerance: +/-20 sec p/day
    Lume: SLN C1 X1 BL
Strap
    Size: 22mm
    Material: Bader bracelet
    Colour: Silver
    Leather Strap: Vacona® leather

    Colour: Picture or black

Features

• Swiss made
• Self-winding 29 jewel movement with FS01 chiming module
• 38-hour power reserve
• Brushed and polished Grade 5 Titanium case
• Deep-stamped caseback with soundwave motif
• Push-down crown with twin flags motif
• Anti-reflective domed sapphire crystal
• Floating time display
• 3D hand finished bridges, spring, and hammer mechanism
• On/Off pusher at 4 o’clock
• Red on/off indicator
• Sunray finished module plate
• Mirror polished chiming gong
• Raised brushed and polished indexes
• Grade 2 titanium bracelet with micro-adjustable ratchet clasp, single screw links and quick-release system for easy changing
• Eco-friendly luxury presentation case and owner's handbook  

 

Pre-order for End January 2025

Fully refundable deposit of £1,000.00  payable now

Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTO 

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Press releases - 2024
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www.ChristopherWard.com

Christopher Ward – C1 Bel Canto Automatic Edition

Christopher Ward – Limited C1 Bel Canto Titanium Automatic Edition 2022

Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTO 

The art of sound
C1 Bel Canto: the chime is now

Creating a chiming watch is one of the greatest challenges in watchmaking – and one that Christopher Ward has passed with the limited-edition C1 Bel Canto.

Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTO 

Meet the extraordinary C1 Bel Canto.

Limited to just 300 pieces, it marks the debut of a brand new in-house calibre, FS01. In the metal, it feels utterly alive, marking each hour with its cheerful, reassuring internal chime. And it sees CW assert its horological ambitions like never before.

Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTO 

Christopher Ward has always pushed the creative envelope. It’s this philosophy that produced in-house movement Calibre SH21, and was responsible for the legendary JJ calibres (named after our first master watchmaker Johannes Jahnke) – unique modules piggybacking on existing movements.

Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTO 

Today, the key to the C1 Bel Canto is FS01, a new chiming movement named after current technical director Frank Stelzer. In all horological history, little has tested the watchmaker like creating sound, so it’s no wonder Bel Canto took three years of tortuous development.

Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTO 

Bel Canto is what’s called an hour chime, or – more romantically – a Sonnerie au Passage complication, which translates as ‘Passage of Time’.

Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTO

“Bel Canto is an extrapolation of the C60 Concept, in that we’re taking the best hand-finished components and putting them within reach of many,” says Jörg Bader Junior, head of product at CW’s Biel atelier. “But in terms of technological challenge, it’s taken us into uncharted territory. We had to figure everything out for ourselves.”

The layered dial plays host to a floating time-telling sundial

Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTO 

With each JJ calibre, the desire wasn’t just to produce a complication, but to do it in a fresh, efficient way. Ten years ago, JJ01 was designed to offer the most accurate jumping-hour function possible and, by spreading the load over an entire hour, Johannes managed it. This success became one of the starting points for FS01.

Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTO 

It’s a little known fact that Christopher Ward creates watches for Meistersinger, the German specialist in single-hand timepieces. A few years ago Frank made a new model for them, the Bell Hora, a Sonnerie au Passage. Would it be possible to do something similar for Christopher Ward?

Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTO 

“The Bell Hora was a stepping stone,” says CEO and co-founder Mike France. “But with Bel Canto we wanted to bring the striking mechanism to the front, so the wearer could watch it in action. The question became: could we make a chiming watch both look and sound beautiful at the same time?”

Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTO 

“Finding a way to split out the components so they felt balanced across the entire face, took years,” says CW watch designer Will Brackfield. “Each time we moved one piece, it had a knock-on effect on the others. The platine – the blue module plate behind the important elements – would have a gorgeous sunray finish, so we needed to find a way to hide minor components behind that too.”

Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTO 

Frank began with a Sellita SW200-1 automatic base movement paired with JJ01, which charges incrementally over an hour to then make a single movement. But his modifications would eventually involve the creation of 50 new components, and become a race against time once an on-sale date of Autumn 2022 was confirmed.

Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTO 

“One of the great challenges was striking the right balance between note and loudness,” says CW’s head of product design, Adrian Buchmann. “We soon learned that the case would have to be made of Grade 5 titanium, a material we’d never used before, with lots of empty space and resonance points. It’s a very dense metal – and creates a sound cage with the best possible vibrations.”

So, what exactly does the chime sound like? “Elegant,” says Mike. “Luxurious,” says Will. “A long, high-pitched note,” says Adrian.

Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTO 

No one can quite define it – it is more like a xylophone, or a hotel bell? – but all agree that it’s delightful. Technically, it turns out to be a D, also known as Re (“a drop of golden sun”) on the fixed do solfège system, familiar from The Sound Of Music.

Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTO 

“One thing everyone comments on is how the bridge structure towards the bottom looks like a bird,” Mike says. “The red ‘beak’ is actually the on-off mechanism, controlled by a pusher at 4 o’clock, and moves to indicate whether the chime is on or off, while the hammer is its tail. Bel Canto means ‘beautiful singing’, so there’s whimsical humour going on which seems very Christopher Ward.”

Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTO 

Other details are equally as ambitious. The dial consists of intriguingly stacked layers, rising from the platine through the bridges to the time-telling subdial and finally the twin-flags logo, printed on the lower surface of the sapphire crystal, while the 41mm Light-catcher™case has been given a subtle sporty makeover.

Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTO Of course, CW couldn’t do this alone, and the C1 Bel Canto is also a tribute to many brilliant suppliers and partners, all noted specialists in their fields. Perhaps the most famous is Armin Strom, maker of high-end open worked watches, which contributed the platine, but Chronode (the bridges, hammer and gong) and Viquo Deco (the special wheels required) were also crucial.

Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTO 

It goes without saying that the C1Bel Canto is far more affordable than any comparable watch. Chopard’s LUC Strike One costs £54,000 for a similar mechanism and finish, while others are twice that or more. And Bel Canto? On a leather strap it’s £2,995 | $3,595 | €3,895 and on the titanium bracelet, £3,305 | $3,975 | €4,295.

Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTO 

Quite simply, no brand anywhere has made the art of sound so accessible, or opened up the possibility of owning such high horological art to so many. Hearing really is believing.

#ChristopherWard #C1BelCanto  

-------------------------------------------
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

Model: C1 Bel Canto Automatic Edition

Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTO 

Case
    Material: Grade 5 Titanium
    Size: 41mm
    Dial Colour: Rhodium
    Platine Colour: Azzuro blue
    Height: 13.0mm
    Lug-to-Lug: 48.0mm
    Case Weight: 53g
    Water Resistance: 3 ATM (30m)
Movement
    Calibre FS01
    Power Reserve: 38 hours
    No of Jewels: 29
    Complication Type: Passing chime
    Vibrations: 28,800 p/hr (4Hz)
    Timing Tolerance: +/-20 sec p/day
    Lume: SLNC1X1BL
Strap
    Size: 22mm
    Material: Italian leather and Titanium bracelet
    Leather Strap Colour: blue or camel

Features

•     Swiss made
•     Limited Edition of 300 pieces
•     Self-winding 29 jewel movement with FS01 module that chimes on the hour
•     Floating time display with fully visible mechanism
•     Hand finished bridges, gong and hammer
•     On/Off pusher at 4 o’clock with red on/off indicator
•     38-hour power reserve
•     Brushed and polished case in titanium grade 5
•     Deep stamped caseback with soundwave motif
•     Push-down crown with twin flag motif
•     Anti-reflective domed sapphire crystal
•     Raised and polished indexes
•     Eco-friendly luxury presentation case and owner’s handbook 

Limited to 300 pieces

Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTO 

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Press releases - 2022
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www.ChristopherWard.com

Christopher Ward – C63 Ukraine Edition

Christopher Ward – SPORT C63 Ukraine Limited Edition 2022

Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTO

Helping those in need

What’s the best way we can help those whose lives have been devastated by the Ukraine war? By creating a unique timepiece – with all the profits it generates going to the Red Cross in Ukraine.

Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTO

The C63 Ukraine LE is limited to 300 pieces and boasts a dial that represents the ancient colours of the 🇺🇦Ukraine flag. Meanwhile on the backplate, the words ‘Слава Україні!’ (Glory to Ukraine!) have been engraved. Our goal is simple: to raise £150,000 – it’d be fantastic if you can help us get there.

Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTO

The C63 Ukraine Limited Edition. Based on the C63 Sealander Automatic, all proceeds from the watch will go to the International Committee Of The Red Cross (ICRC) in Ukraine.

Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTO

Limited to just 300 pieces, the C63 Ukraine boasts a dial that represents ancient colours of the 🇺🇦 Ukraine flag, while on the backplate,‘Слава Україні!’ (Glory to Ukraine) has been engraved.

Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTO

Thanks to our suppliers’ generosity – who’ve reduced their prices for this watch – even more of the proceeds will go to the Red Cross. Of course, it’s you, our customers, who’ll be making the most significant contribution if you purchase one of these unique timepieces.

Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTO

With your generosity we hope to raise around £150,000 ($200,000 / €175,000) for the ICRC to distribute to those most in need.

#ChristopherWard #C63UkraineLimitedEdition #standwithukraine

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TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

Model:  C63 Ukraine Limited Edition  

Collection:   SPORT  

Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTO

 
Reference:  C63-39ADA3-UKRN-VK

Case
Material Stainless steel 39mm
Height 11.25mm
Lug-to-Lug 45.8mm
Elaboré ‘Colimaçoné’ finish on the movement
Brushed and polished marine-grade stainless steel case
Circular brushed and polished fixed steel bezel
Anti-shock system
Embossed screw-down crown
Screw down display caseback
Unique engraved serial number
Anti-reflective sapphire crystal
Case Weight 61g
Weight inc. Strap 86g
Water Resistance 15 ATM (150m)
Movement
Caliber: Sellita SW200-1
Power Reserve 38 hours
No of Jewels 26
Complication Type Date
Vibrations 28,800 p/hr (4Hz)
Timing Tolerance +/- 20 sec p/day
Twin-flag engraving over 'Colimaçoné' finish on the rotor
Dial
Colour Blue/Yellow
Lume SLN X1 BL C1
Strap
Vintage black leather
Marine-grade stainless steel bracelet with 'Christopher Ward' engraving, micro-adjustable ratchet clasp and quick-release system for easy changing
Eco-friendly luxury presentation case and owner's handbook

Features
    Swiss made
    Limited edition of 300 pieces
    Central hacking seconds
    Date calendar
    Polished lacquer dial
    Top-brushed indexes with diamond polished facets
    Brushed and polished steel hands
    Signature Trident counter-balance on seconds hand
    Super-LumiNova® Grade X1 BL C1-filled hands and indexes
    Vintage oak leather strap with quick-release pins for easy changing
    Eco-friendly luxury presentation case and owner's handbook

* Pre-order for early July 2022


Limited to 300 pieces

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Press releases - 2022
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www.ChristopherWard.com

Christopher Ward – C7 Apex Black PVD Steel 42mm Edition

Christopher Ward – C7 APEX Black PVD Steel 42mm Limited Edition - 2018

Hyperbole plays a role in the marketing of any watch, 

and in the case of the C7 Apex – apex being the Latin word for ‘summit’ or ‘peak’ – its name establishes a certain level of expectation.

Yet here, it’s warranted: this fifty-piece limited edition is a milestone moment in the journey of Christopher Ward. Engineered to mark five years since the team first held the original prototype of the brands in-house movement, Calibre SH21 – a creation that was as symbolically important as it was technically brilliant – this timepiece represents the progress Christopher Ward has achieved since then.

Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTO

Designed with the intention of showcasing more of Calibre SH21 than ever before, the mechanical modernity of the C7 Apex Limited Edition’s semi-open dial is bold, futuristic and quite unlike anything Christopher Ward has ever produced. On the dial, both the Apex’s hands and a recessed outer ring have been filled with white Super-LumiNova®, the power reserve hand is mounted onto a red skeletonised bridge and a raised speedometer-influenced indicator is finished in a combination of red, black and steel detailing.

Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTO

Then, a ruthenium-coated plate has been cut away to reveal glimpses of the movement underneath – most prominently in its centre, where Calibre SH21’s hour wheel is wholly visible for the first time. The striking timepiece is also housed within the distinctive four-part case of Christopher Ward’s motorsport collection, which is constructed from sandblasted and matte finished steel, with a grey DLC coated steel band around its centre.

Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTO

The C7 Apex Limited Edition is powered by a hand-wound, chronometer-certified Calibre SH21 movement, complete with 120-hour power reserve. Christopher Ward created Calibre SH21 at a time when no other British watch brand had created a commercially viable in-house movement for 50 years, marking a significant achievement for the brand. In the five years that have since passed, Calibre SH21’s decoration has been tailored on multiple occasions to reflect the watches it has appeared in.

Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTO

For the C7 Apex Limited Edition, the movement and the dial were planned in unison - sharing the same red bridge (two this time, one for each of Calibre SH21’s barrels); the same vertically brushed ruthenium; and, much like the minute wheel visible through the dial, both of SH21’s mainsprings have been revealed. By paring down its front and back, Christopher Ward’s in-house movement has been given the showcase it deserves, along with a level of detailing previously unseen until now.

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Technical Specifications

Model:   C7 Apex Limited Edition

Reference:  C07-42HPR1-S0KK0

Case
Steel 42 mm
Black PVD sandblasted diamond-like carbon (DLC) finish
Glass: Anti-reflective double curve top sapphire crystal
Thickness: 13.15 mm 
Case back Glass:  Sapphire with anti-reflective treatment
Waterproofness: 50 m
Movement
Manual-winding mechanical chronometer-certified
Christopher Ward's own in-house COSC certified movement
Calibre SH21
Diameter: 40.5mm
Height: 11.85mm
Jewels:  30
Weight: 59g
Power reserve: 120 h.(5 day).
Frequency: 4 Hz (28'800 A/h) variations / hours
Timing tolerance: +6/-4 seconds per day
Functions
Hours, Minutes, Seconds, Date, Power reserve
Strap
Perforated black leather strap
Black PVD butterfly Pin buckle

* Luxury presentation case and owner's handbook
Year 2018
Price incl. VAT  4'043 CHF

Limited to 50 pieces

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Press releases - 2018
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www.ChristopherWard.co.uk