Skeleton dialed watches may not be to the taste of everyone and a watch over 4k may not either. This watch is not for you and thats ok. It's also ok to merit the accomplishment and effort put into something not to one's liking or out of one's price bracket. This is a well made and proper watch. It may not have the Omega or other big brand name but that doesn’t mean it’s not a good watch. What they accomplished, well finished movement, nicely finished Ti case, in-house chronometer certified movement, and a microadjust ON A BUTTERFLY clasp... for under 5k? Lets give them credit. I had a Zenith Defy Skeleton that cost several K more and it didnt have a microadjust. Great accomplishments CW. I'm looking foward to see what you do next!

I love skeletonized dials and transparent casebacks. Obviously, some are better than others as far as legibility go. I also like the titanium (preferably Grade 5 for better scratch resistance), but I enjoy tungsten more because of the weight. I am looking forward to checking CW out at Watch Windup Chicago this summer.

I wish you’d shown us the microadjust clasp. Microadjust is so important to me. 3mm probably isn’t enough for me but definitely better than nothing. I like the use of titanium. I’d like to pick up a titanium watch at some point

Beautiful B-Roll❤

Great video - Thanks

Appreciate you showing some moving shots, I just came across an article covering the watch this morning. A man of culture I see... Watches Boba Fett Enfield & M1 Carbine Cheers!

This is a fantastic watch and it’s brilliant to see a great company like Christopher Ward with a proper movement designing something like this. I’m a big fan of the new movement with an exhibition case back and it would be wonderful if we could see that on Other Christopher Ward watches. The problem is with this watch is we’ve already seen something like this from oris with the pro pilot X This is a very expensive watch. You are going straight to top of the range with Tudor cost, Well you’re not really going to get a lot of people spending that money on a Christopher Ward.

The finishing looks quite coarse on the close up shots. I do like watching it all work though

I received a preview invite and watched the show. It does seem a well made item but suffers from the same affliction as most skeletonised watches, poor readability. Makers need to realize the hands need to stand out on such watches and I'd have thought that CW CEO Mike France as a fellow spectacle wearer would realize that. The price is going up against some strong opposition. It's a pass from me though I own several of their watches.

I love CW, but for me this is not worth ~3k more than a titanium twelve. I mean Bel Canto is a lot cheaper. CW has always been about making high quality watches at affordable prices, and I don’t really see that here. No doubt this is high quality, but SH21 has been in watches around 2k. +3k for titanium and some movement customization + other small tweaks? Doesn’t add up to me, but what do I know?

It’s a great watch for 2000 pounds

Nice review. I start out where you do: if I want to stare at the guts of the watch, turn it over and enjoy the bloody exhibition case back. That's why it's there. Will this "shades of grey" XXII X change my mind? It might. I will give it a close look at the Windup Watch Fair in San Francisco this coming weekend.

I adore the Twelve and it's one that's on my shopping list. Sadly, this one doesn't work IMHO. It's not the prettiest movement to skeletonise and the "Christopher Ward" in big letters on the rotor looks really tacky.

Nice, but the Oris Big Crown ProPilot X Calibre 115 is a lot "more". The only thing I am envy in this watch is the super lumi, otherwise the Oris with 10 days power reserve is better for my taste, even without the automatic part.

I'd constantly be glancing at it thinking, is it on back to front. CW falling into the same trap now as other brands, raising prices disproportionately

The Watch Gecko straps are really lovely BUT the two-piece straps have no cut-outs to give access to the spring bars. So you better like your new strap, as taking it off is practically impossible.

I like the idea of a Skeletonised watch, but can’t see myself ever owning one. There, just too dressy and that’s not me. Over £4k me thinks someone has been sniffing something. Some will like it, but sorry, not by bag. And the price, well look at the competition at that range, I’m just not sure CW has it right. Only time will tell Great review as always Richard 🤜

Beautiful watch, needs more contrast in the hands and rotor. Less branding and I’d be sold! Great content and review nonetheless 👍🏼

looks like a defy at first glance.

Great watch exceptionally well made , you won't get better for your money that is if skeleton watches appeals?

Well it went over £4k at the last minute then!

I have no doubt this is a great manufacturing achievement for the brand. Congratulations! But to be frank, I find it impossible to read and borderline insulting to the value-conscious enthusiasts who have supported the brand for years to position a watch at $5k. I dislike it and I'm disappointed by this move from Christopher Ward.

I like the design, but I cannot buy it knowing that is made of Ti grade 2. CW: Charge a bit more and build it out of Ti grade 5, will buy!

The Christopher ward text on the rotar ruins it. Why couldn't it have been a subtle engraving perhaps ?

They nearly got it perfect but the Christopher Ward on the rotor ruins it. Should have just engraved it to make it more subtle.

I love it, but Its to expensive. Living in Norway, i have to pay customs on 25%. I would rather buy a zenith

Yeah I’m still in the 2nd camp. Unless it’s a Lange or something, I’m not interested. You do make a lot of good points and the movement is very nice. As you mentioned though, like an exposed car engine, it’s just….yehuk 🤢

I have two skeletonised watches and hardly wear them. They become irritating when trying to read the time and very distracting. This is one watch I will not pay attention to!

Forget it guys, for 5k get a proper watch, like an Omega or if you want the skeleton Zenith Defy is miles better than this. One positive is they put the horrid branding on the rotor. xD

Sorry CW it isn’t that nice; I prefer my non skeletonised 12! I’m waiting for the Consort bracelet fitting the Atoll and a 38-40 mm Adventurine dial Celest.

What planet are you on if you think 4k+ for a skeleton watch is 'affordable'

WatchChris and WatchGeko are the same

I don’t agree. Poor legibility - not true. There are quite a few skeletonized watches that have excellent legibility and even more full-face watches that aren’t really legible. And if the world was full of matt-black-dial-super-legible tool watches we wouldn’t be where we are with vibrant market, collectors, craftsmanship, etc.

I think Rado are one of the few who do skeletonised watches well. It helps they preserve legibility with a smoked sapphire layer. Somewhat cheating

I’m so glad they gave this a skeleton dial, because it makes it a no-brainer for me to skip this release and save my money.

I do love Christopher ward watches and they are very clear about pricing. But this watch will not be making my collection alongside my bel canto. Very pricey for a gimmick watch

No thanks

Skeleton watches are "nails down a blackboard" for me. Fair enough having a crystal back if one wants to admire the movement, but when I look at a watch face I want to see the time without having to decipher it.

First

Sorry CW jumped the shark with this one. I have a CW watch that I bought for Circa £800 and was really not impressed at that price I never wear it as it is so uninspiring to me. The finishing here would have to be better than Omega levels to even consider it at over £4k and from what you have shown it really doesn’t look that way. You mentioned Hublot in this review and I think this watch represents the same ethos. Hugely overpriced for a flashy watch with little merit. This is definitely not for me, sorry.

..... skeleton watches are akin to walking around with your fly open all the time ........

This is not an affordable watch don't be insane.

At least this way you don't have their ugly logo on the dial.

I love CW but this is a hard pass.

what sets the standard today for skeletonized watches is the new moser streamliner. brits and mechanics never was a love affair 😏

There’s no chance in hell I’m wearing a skeletonised watch. Sorry!

Craptopher Ward.

Yeah, nah. It’s a pass.

Too busy, stuff and noise sacrificing quality of engineering for looks. Totally silly

Nope, not for me so just my opinion, i don't even like exibition case backs, they are about as much use as tits on fish!. I was very dissapointed when Rolex jumped on the bandwagon for showing all the "Junk" we already know is in there.

Who would pay £3000-4000 for a CW ? That’s a lot of money for a rubbish brand . If you had to re sell that , you would get a few hundred quid at best .