If an item isn't faulty nobody has the right to return it in 14 days. I am a retired retailer and have extensive retail law training. I own four CW watches, and they are indeed excellent, however, I wouldn't describe them as cheap

I just can’t say it enough. You’re content is really good; I mean really good. With your analytic skills and product development knowledge, no brand can hide behind their watch. Keep up the amazing work.

I have a Sealander C63 and it's damn impressive. Don't care where the components come from. A great watch is a great watch, and I want to see them succeed. I just think they need to get fancier with their dials every once in a while. Suggestions for them would be the teak dial like an Aqua Terra, some metoerite dials or more exotic stones outside of the whacky moonphase pieces. They are slowly getting there. I think they have a bright future.

I've owned 4 CW watches, a C60, C63, C65 and a Twelve. They've all been brilliant.

You give the most clinical, analytical commentaries on watches I've ever seen! It's really refreshing to see watches from this perspective and you know I'm gonna be watching all your videos now 👍🏻👍🏻

I am a value collector, and Christopher Ward has caught my eye with the Bel Canto and its latest aventurine dial moon phase watch. I am always leery of independents, which are mainly start-ups, but am very impressed with the founder Michael France's interviews on KZfaq. Being Swiss Made, having a 5 year warranty, 60 day return policy, and reading the overwhelming positive reviews from owners, makes Christopher Ward stand out from the crowd! I am definitely considering adding a Christopher Ward to my collection in 2024.

I went to the CW showroom yesterday with the intention to get the dragonfly gmt for me. Instead I fell for the bronze and the exceptional tide watch but bought the moonphase for my wife. I can not expess how beautiful and simple this watch is photos do not come close to representing this watch. Stunning .

A straight forward, zero BS discussion. Really well done, sir. I've asked exactly the same questions. In the end, for the price it seems that you do get an honest product with pleasant design, good finishing, and a movement that is easily serviced. I find it a refreshing break from the befuddling douchebaggery common in the industry.

Thanks! Your analysis, content and production values are simply exceptional. Please keep up the good work.

Thanks! This was incredibly informative not only on watch manufacturing, but also on outsourcing and procurement in general.

I decided to take the risk and dive into the world of CW. It was hard to do as I didn’t like the idea of buying without seeing it in the flesh. The decision was a good one the Sealander C65 is a well made, finished and well priced watch. It’s a great watch, one that wears well and ends up getting good amount of wrist time.

Followed Hodinkee from birth to recent "grave" and never experienced this amount of objective and fair minded perspective on watches from Ben & Co. Amazing knowledge 🙂Thank you!

I have a Trident C60 in bronze and think it's a fantastic watch. Five years and it still looks and performs as if it's much more expensive than it was. CW is an excellent value and I'll be buying more.

I've got a blue C63 Sealander on a bracelet. I absolutely love it, so legible and nicely finished. I find myself wearing more than my Seamaster 300m and Planet Ocean. I had considered an Aqua Terra but find myself wondering how to justify it now

I am a proud owner of a Trident Pro. The one that came with an orange leather strap. I learned my lesson that leather is not for swimming and had to replace the strap with a stainless bracelet. I was excited to see the new straps made from ocean plastic waste and that there was an orange version that would go so nicely on my watch and be waterproof. I then discovered these were only available in 20 mm not the 22 mm I needed for my watch. I contacted CW to be told they would not be making the orange version I required. A bit crap I thought and I got the impression they were only there to sell new watches and not support existing customers. Before all you righteous idiots out there tell me to get over myself and this is just business let me remind you a good quality time piece should last for generations and the owner is likely to cherish it immensely as I do. I now have a non CW orange leather strap and a non CW orange rubber strap for holidays so my trusty Trident can enjoy the ocean as much as I do.

I own the CW Sapphire 60 & its a fantastic watch, its 40mm but it wears smaller which is nice. Their catalog has a really nice selection & I like that you can pick your strap when buying too. Not many places offer that option. The only thing I didn't like was paying a $100 customs duty on top of shipping. 😂

Great reviewer! Just became my favorite! Binged almost all your vids.

I have a white face Sealander GMT. It's great. Very comfortable. A really good case design. The movement was very accurate. I like the handset design a lot. If you don't need a fancy brand name to show off, it’s a great watch aesthetically and practically. This video did a great job of explaining how the company operates in a business sense.

I have had my Bel Canto on order for a very long time now, but still very much looking forward to getting my hands on it. I only just received a C60 300, caught it in a sale with 25% off, not sure how that worked out, but the watch is lovely and I am very happy with it. I don't think I will be keeping a close eye on them as I will have two of their watches just as soon as they deliver the BC. But no doubt one of their advertising emails will have me taking a peek at something new in the future.

Excellent video, as always. Your presentation is faultless and you put across your knowledge of watches so well. Keep up the good work.

This is your first video I see. Such great content. I took me 45 minutes to watch, since I kept pausing and googling stuf. Such great content. I learned a lot. Thanks

Great video thanks. I have a (non-COSC) C60 Trident 600, keeps +/- 1 sec a day and looks awesome - would definitely buy another CW. Having worked in brand distribution, three times cost seems reasonable - many things for sale in stores may be several times cost, that’s just how retail and distribution works. Personally I would like to see an affordable true GMT from CW, that would be popular I reckon

What an exceptionally well done perspective. I can see in an instant the amount of research and thought that was involved. Bravo!

Interesting thoughts. I’ve just bought the Atoll in Reef Blue. I would like to have had a ‘no date’ version, but I can’t wait for it to arrive in any case 😀 Generally, I dislike the extra complication of a GMT, so I would rather see non GMT options on more of CW watches - the cleaner the face, the better as far as I’m concerned!

Came at the perfect time , I just can't find one in person to handle so i can see the quality first hand. Thank you

Your helpful in depth analysis has made me sit up - to the extent it has made me subscribe. Thank you.

At this time, I considered CW more a formal brand (although small), yes, they use wording games in their publicity but to be honest, they find their niche and almost get the perfect formula. But I found some of their latest watches more gimmicky, but again, they already found their niche. Thank you for the video.

Excellent video essay - currently have a couple of CWs in my collection and impressed by both. Like the fact you called BS on their spiel. At the end of the day they are in business to make a few quid just like any other watch manufacturer and seem to be doing a pretty good job at it at the moment. Not a big fan of the Twelve but more than happy it has quietened down some of that PRX noise a bit.

I am fortunate to own about 13 watches, none for investment, simply purchased because I like the product, I have two CW and think they represent excellent value against the Middle price brands, the Swiss made analysis is spot on, but if the product looks and feels right on the wrist and you feel it’s good value....❤❤

This is the only channel that talks about what i find interesting about watches. wow good job

My CW C60 Abyss (42 mm) was the first watch where I ever spent more than AUD 1,000. I had bought 13 cost-conscious watches prior to that. I was nervous to spend that much on a watch (back then) but the C60 design and finishing really spoke to me. I thought about it for many months. What I felt from the CW marketing was a sense of confidence - that they were a reliable company, the value proposition was good and the watch quality would be there on receipt. The Abyss exceeded my expectations. I now have 3 CWs - a C60 orange sapphire 40 mm and a limited-edition C63 Highlander. All great watches. But most importantly, I am really really reluctant to spend more than AUD 2,000 on a watch (currently equal to GBP 1,050 or USD 1,320). In that price point CW are very competitive. I have watches from Doxa, Ball, Damasko, Seiko, Oris, Tissot and CW can easily compete with them on a cost vs quality level. CW designs are sufficiently novel to differentiate from the competition and I always find the quality and wear great; they always feel like rugged reliable watches. My only issue now is the newer models where CW are taking more risks - the costs are skyrocketing. I feel CW are using their brand recognition to cash in, literally, with higher-priced models. I'd love a Bel Canto but I am not spending AUD 5,000 to get one; that's the cost of a Tudor BB 58.

Nice, informative and enlightening. Thank you. I own the moonglow for the last 3 years. I had picked it out of 20+ candidates at various price points. Since I track religious events on a lunar calendar, the big moon phase and minute markers are quite functional for me. Never had an issue with the watch.

I've got to admit I've been very tempted. As someone looking to start my Automatic watch journey they seem an ideal jumping in point

Great video. Hope you continue this as a series to other watch brands. Maen, Nivada Grenchen, Farer and even the big boys Rolex, Omega etc

I recently bought their bronze chronometer "Sandhurst" which I think is shown at 2:08. I got it with the bronze bracelet which gives it an overall eye-catching look.

Your content is great. I will say one thing that impressed me about Christopher Ward as a company. Mike France, the CEO, has admitted in interviews that many of their components come from Asia. Basically said it was impossible to build a watch without sourcing from there and that many other brands do too. I was really impressed when I read that. I have owned 3 CWs though and have sold them all. I find, over time, that their watches don’t get the wrist time of others I own. Don’t know why that is but they are really well made.

You have earned another subscriber! Very impressed but he quality, objectivity, and concisess of the material. Wonderful job

The Atoll is what got me… it looks so good!!! And will most likely be my first expensive (to me) watch

I recently purchased the Sandhurst series 2 a month ago and I have to say it’s a great timepiece for the price fit and finish is fantastic…

I purchased a C65 Acquitaine in January. The watches are exceptional. I just bought my wife a 12 in 36mm.

I just want to say thank you. You’re doing a really great job.

Great video!!! The turning point for me was when they took the name Christopher Ward off the dial with the new logo. They have taking this further again by not having the logo on the bel canto dial!! I have the bel canto and the hourly strike brings me so much joy!! Im keen to own more and love the new release of the moon phase, this is likely to be my next CW but the 12 is very much in my thoughts too!!!!

Thank you for yet another well-reasoned insightful video.

Never watched one of these videos before but will absolutely do so again. Great insights.

While this may be a bit late as a comment I would like to say I am very appreciative of your videos. I feel you make a nice balanced and informative video. I look forward to your postings.

The bel canto is definitely worth it. I have a large collection of watches and most are worth more than a Christopher Ward. However, the bel canto is currently one of the top 3 favorite watches in my collection (I travel constantly so the sky-dweller is my current everyday watch), it might even be my favorite right now in my collection. When I'm home I'm almost always wearing my bel canto and I have a second one on order for a different color.

i have the Tide and it is fantastic! love the on the fly adjust. watch looks n feels great

This is practical and very useful content. No bells and whistles. Just facts. Thank you

That's an interesting pickup about the SH21 movement. I have one (a LE C65) and it's genuinely very good, but I kept looking to see more watches featuring it and they haven't showed up. Your explanation for that fact makes plenty of sense.

I really like the C65 Aquitaine Bronze - something about the large sapphire crystal, blue bezel and bronze it looks awesome- Christopher Ward is my next watch!

Great analysis. Agree - they’ve hired some great supply chain veterans who expertly decided on ‘make vs buy’ AND chose partners who count hit QE/cost/schedule targets. Their GMT variant that shares the Rolex Exp II Polar look is on my radar; maybe the ice blue 12. PS - one HIGE change the made was getting rid of ‘Christopher Ward’ spelled out on their dial and subbing in the small logo.

Another great video! Saved to my KZfaq list.

Really love the channel. Much more in depth and interesting than most watch channels.

I got the original sh21 Dress watch with the original logo at the top at 50% off due to the logo change, a great deal.Still working fine after 6-7 years.

Du har en helt unik approach på din kanal! Keep up the good job! 👌🏻

Great video, I have three Christopher Ward watches along with other high brand ones and I must say they really do give the more expensive watches a good run for the money!!

Great video! In terms of fit and finish, which traditional brands are comparable to CW?

This was so intersting and factual. I've actually been considering buying a CW GMT, but the juries still out!

Brilliant video as always!! I was just talking to 3 friends that are new to watches and CW come up in the conversation several times (I brought it up).. I bet this happens all the time since CW at their price tier 👍🏻

Christopher ward is the everyman's F.P. Journe. Well made, well priced and as future powerhouse if this continues. That being said... I did not know there is so much marketing BS. I still like them though. Have a great one Mike!

Mike French is a huge Everton fan, and they are now an Everton FC sponsor. That's a huge premiership club, ans CW's name is on the pitchside digital hoardings during televised games. So they are definitely moving into mainstream marketing. I've found their support and shipping services impeccable, and I live in the USA, they even paid entirely for shipping costs and repair on a watch that my step son smashed in a skateboard crash...

I bought my first CW over a decade ago, I still wear them. At the time, they were a true bargain, nowadays it’s ok in terms of value and very good still in terms of quality.

I latched on to CW quite early and bought their first watch using the in house sh21 movement in a sale for £600. Their success has seen the end of the "sign up" discount of £100 available on all purchases above £500, and I've seen no sign of the mid and year end sales in 2023 which offered some exceptional deals in the past. They're less of a value proposition than they were, as mainstream brands are fighting for sales with huge discounts at present. I own four of their watches all bought at discount in the past so I'm reluctant to pay their present prices.

Excellent review! Thank you for sharing that valuable information on C.W.

Great work and amazing analysis. I own a couple CWs and I like them very much. But the one thing I've been hoping, for years now, is that they'd make is an HAQ watch. I have loads of watches but I find myself wearing my Grand Seiko quartz and Citizen Cronomaster more than the rest the past few years. It's an easy analysis as to why - great looking watches that are grab and go. And I've never bought into the "mechanical watches have a soul and quartz is evil" nonsense that Watch World tends to perpetuate.

Great piece Mike. Insightful, maturely presented, enlightening. You are a sage of KZfaq and have a gift for widening my perspective on the world of watches. My take on the reason for buying a CW would be reverse snobbery appeal. I.e. owning a CW and considering a higher or even a much higher priced and recognized alternative I would bask in the warm glow of value satisfaction and be smug with the thought of the fools with their APs and the like. I do have some fancy watches so I'm not going to risk a CW causing that type of dismay.

I have a CW jumping hour watch and love it. It is super accurate and a great design.

I own 3 CW’s C60 600 divers of different generations and have always been impressed with their style and quality. They definitely punch above their weight and get a lot of wrist time from my collection.

excellent video, mike. someone who understands business from an enterprise level. you speak like a cfo (and i mean that in a good way.) i'd never watch a 17 min video on cw but you made it interesesting wire to wire.

Fantastic segment. Been wanting a super compressor for a while from them.

Great video. Keep them coming. Cheers

I really like thier new moonphase with aventurine dial, and if possible i would love a black dial Bel-Canto

I only got into watches over the last year or so and it was the Bel Canto that did it! A KZfaq about it popped up on my feed and I thought it was really different and interesting. I have one in order and I’m really looking forward to getting it. I’ve subsequently started getting into the watch world much more and I’m really enjoying it. You can blame CW for sending another one down the rabbit hole! Before, I was happy to have a watch, any watch, it just needed to be aesthetically pleasing. Now, I need to know case size and material, lug width, movement details, etc, and the word ‘collection’ keeps popping into my head…….

Mike, you're so bl**dy good you've left me with nothing else to say apart from bravo🙏🏼 I love your analysis and deconstruction in your thought process. CW has been on my radar for around 5 years, I nearly pulled the trigger on a Trident, but didn't, though, these last 2 years have been amazing for them, and currently on the look out for a bronze watch, so I may soon be the owner of one of there's? Umm....What would I like CW to make next.....Lets go for a duo faced reverso!

a world timer from cw will be of interest to me as well. as long as they lose the trident seconds hand and refrain from writing 'christopher ward' anywhere on the watch.

Thank you algorithm gods for suggesting this video. Truly intelligent discussion.

Even though they did raise their prices since I bought my C63 (by discontinuing their rebate codes), I'd still rate CW pretty highly WRT value for money, quality and finish. I mean... I kinda knew what to expect from countless YT-videos I watched before I bought, but I was still pretty amazed at the level of quality and finish of the watch when I took it out of its box for the first time. The case is super interesting without drawing too much attention to itself, the dial, markers and hands look extremely well done, tolerances are very tight and the on-the-fly adjustable clasp is such a nice feature to have. Besides that, it's probably the thinnest watch I've owned in this depth-rating class and with an SW200/ETA 2824 in the back. All in all I'm very impressed with the brand and I'm thinking about selling a few of my cheaper Swiss stuff to grab me a Trident 300 - although I'm slightly put off by the fact that it has an exhibition case-back, which is a bit of a no-no for me on a diver. Oh, and yes: They could also put a bit more effort into regulation. I've owned a few Steinharts and they all ran better than +5s/d while my CW was more like +18s/d from the factory.

A CW World Timer? Yes, Please! World timers are under-appreciated and offer so much, but are hard to get just right (busy dials, large size, etc.) Nothing better than looking at your wrist, and at a glance, be able to see the time in all the major cities. And being able to track the suns movement throughout the day/night was always fun when I owned one. Please CW, make it so!

Excellent video. I learned a lot. Thank you! I'd like to see a GMT at over 40mm, preferably 42mm.

Incredibly good video, wss looking JUST for this. Thank you!

Hey, cool video, thank you for your analysis. You have mentioned a Worldtimer potentially coming up. What makes you think that? I was trying to pursue them to make one fee years back based on the C60 model and unfortunately, I got a rejection. At this time there is not a sports worldtimer other then the Omega AT WT, which will set you back between 7,5-9K 😢

I am generally impressed with CW's offerings. I would like to see them open up to retail distribution. I have purchased watches off the internet, but they were under the $500 price point. I need to try more expensive watches on before I commit my money.

I have a small collection of inexpensive watches, including a CW C65 Dartmouth series1. I purchased it a couple of years ago during a sale. It is a very nice attractive but subtle watch. The only downside is the limited power reserve, yes I should purchase a winder. I chose the canvas strap, which I did not get on with, since replaced with a Barton leather strap. Would I buy another CW watch? probably yes. It appears the Maidenhead-Windsor area is becoming the UK centre for watch manufacturers.

Actually, the SH21 is between design iterations. They just sold off the last of the SH21s earlier this year in a couple of C63 LEs and are getting ready to release the SH21.2 next year. You will see a load of watches with this new movement in 2024. The SH21.2 will hopefully be smaller and thinner allowing its use in a broader range of watches.

I have VC, Patek, Rolex, JLC in my little collection but will definitely consider a CW next. The C60 tide# looks an excellent item. Thanks for opening my eyes and I enjoyed the style of your presentation. Thank you!

Fair point about the "Swiss Made" point but at the very least we can sure that they're adhering to the minimum requirements demanded by Swiss regulations

CW is killing it as an independent microbrand and not just having an amazing offering but really innovating. The Bel Canto, aventurine and dune collabos are recent bangers. Their achilles heal has always been their branding and logo event if the new itireation is better its not great. All the details like trident etc are great but their best looking doals have no logos.

Totally agree with you re their pricing/purchasing

What is the cost to service a CW? What is the interval? Where can you get it done?

I had a 38mm diver with a ridiculous 500m depth rating, yet it wasn't a puck. Back then they were hidden gems for those in the know. Today however they compete with some very good micro brands if swiss movement doesn't mean much to you. I hope they develop a brand that moves them up a tier or two over time.

Great video! I'm amazed at the 'wriggle room' available to watchmakers regarding the 'made in Switzerland' parameters! Having said that I for one have been seduced by Christopher Ward and currently have a Sealander GMT on order awaiting delivery. Keep up the good work.

Agree with your comments and analysis. Great brand. Amazing value for money. Own a Twelve, a Trident 300, and plan to order a Bel Canto Nero soon!

I do like the Sealander (along with the Monta Noble) as a budget friendly Aqua Terra alternative.

I've circled around CW offerings for several years now and frankly still don't get the attraction. Every time I give their latest accomplishments another chance I come away with...Nah, never mind. But I keep giving them another chance. I do, however, get and agree with your positive logic in support of the brand.

I would like to see the 12 in titanium without a garish fume dial - the blue or grey dial would suffice. I also know it is going against the current trend for smaller cases but a 42mm would suit my 8” wrist.

Anything bought online should be able to be returned within 14 days. If you’d seen the state of the Thai bride who turned up at Heathrow for me you’d agree I’m sure 👍

My first CW watch was DRB1 88/500 limited. Love your Vid

Very nice review. If you look at the Christopher Ward C60 Chronograph from a build, quality, movement perspective, what luxury brand do you think it compares to?

Thanks man, great video, great information, I would really like ti have a buzz for CW but cant get it on, gonna give it another chance, they do seem like amazing value.

Thanks for this, Mike. Agree with some of the earlier comments that you have presented a compelling analysis of the brand. Controlled and comprehensive. Would love to hear your take on something like the C63 Colchester. If, as you seem to suggest, CW is great a procuring, is this "injected-carbon" case kind of an advertising gimmick? And how reliable tis the "pop-up crown"?