Christopher Ward Unveils The New C63 Sealander Chronograph Range
Christopher Ward has added a serious new complication to its recently refreshed Sealander collection, with the arrival of the new C63 Sealander Chronograph.
This is not simply another colourway or a familiar case with a new dial. The C63 Sealander Chronograph marks the return of a mechanical chronograph to the Christopher Ward catalogue after several years away, combining a classic three register layout with the brand's distinctly modern approach to case design, finishing and value.
And Christopher Ward has been looking at some pretty serious company for inspiration.
The new C63 takes its cues from legendary chronographs including the Carrera, Speedmaster and Rolex Daytona, while attempting to create something that still feels unmistakably like a Christopher Ward, regardless of what Nico says!
Credit - Christopher Ward
A Chronograph With Some Serious Influences
Christopher Ward openly acknowledges the watches that influenced the C63 Sealander Chronograph.
The Carrera, Speedmaster and Daytona have all become icons in their own right, thanks in part to their links with motorsport, space, cinema and some rather famous wrists.
The Sealander Chronograph borrows some of the visual language that made those watches so successful, particularly the three sub dial arrangement and tachymeter bezel, but packages it inside Christopher Ward's Light catcher case. It is a familiar formula, but one that works.
The result is a chronograph that looks sporty without becoming excessively aggressive, while the combination of polished and brushed surfaces gives the case considerably more visual interest than you might expect at this price point.
The Slimmest Christopher Ward Chronograph Yet
The C63 Sealander Chronograph measures 41mm across, with a 48mm lug to lug measurement and a thickness of just 13.9mm.
That last figure is worth highlighting. Christopher Ward says this is its slimmest chronograph yet, and the case is 1.1mm thinner than its previous chronographs.
That makes a meaningful difference on the wrist. Automatic chronographs can quickly become chunky affairs once you factor in the movement, pushers and additional case architecture, so keeping the C63 below 14mm is an impressive bit of packaging.
The case itself uses Christopher Ward's Light catcher construction, combining polished and brushed surfaces to create a more dynamic appearance. Water resistance is rated at 100 metres, while an anti reflective sapphire crystal sits above the dial. There is also a screw down crown, while the rear of the watch features an exhibition caseback.
A Classic 3, 6 And 9 Layout
The dial follows one of the most recognisable chronograph configurations in watchmaking. At 9 o'clock sits the running seconds, while the 3 o'clock sub dial records the chronograph minutes. The 6 o'clock register handles the elapsed hours.
It gives the C63 a beautifully symmetrical appearance, while the central chronograph seconds hand provides the stopwatch function. The sub dials are surrounded by polished rhodium rings, while the applied indexes and hands are diamond polished and filled with Super LumiNova.
Christopher Ward has also opted for a high gloss lacquer dial, with contrasting opalin sub dials on the black version. It is a combination that gives the watch plenty of depth without turning the dial into an unreadable collection of lines and numbers.
Ceramic And A Tachymeter
Around the dial sits a slim, fixed, sandblasted ceramic bezel featuring a tachymeter scale.
The tachymeter is, of course, one of the classic visual signatures of a traditional motorsport chronograph. It allows the wearer to calculate speed over a measured distance using the chronograph. Whether you are actually calculating 100mph or timing how quickly your takeaway arrives is entirely up to you.
The ceramic construction also adds a practical element, providing greater resistance to scratches than a conventional polished metal bezel.
Five Colours, Four Straps
Christopher Ward is giving buyers plenty of opportunity to personalise the C63.
There are five dial colours available: Black, White, Sky Blue, Pink and Pistachio.
The black version delivers the most traditional chronograph appearance, while the white version can be configured with the classic panda style contrast.
The Sky Blue, Pink and Pistachio versions take the C63 somewhere considerably more contemporary.
Christopher Ward is also offering the watch with its Bader stainless steel bracelet or one of four integrated rubber straps in Black, White, Blue and Orange.
So, depending on the combination, the same watch can look surprisingly different.
The Sellita SW510 Does The Business
Inside the C63 Sealander Chronograph is the Sellita SW510, a Swiss made automatic chronograph movement.
It operates at 28,800 vibrations per hour and uses a cam operated chronograph system. Power reserve is quoted at up to 62 hours, although Christopher Ward states that the movement has at least 56 hours.
The SW510 gives the watch its familiar 3, 6 and 9 configuration, with the running seconds at 9, 30 minute counter at 3 and 12 hour counter at 6.
There are 27 jewels and Christopher Ward specifies a timing tolerance of minus 5 to plus 12 seconds per day.
Importantly, Christopher Ward has not simply dropped the movement into the case and called it a day.
The SW510 receives Elaboré grade Colimaçoné finishing, while a newly designed rotor can be viewed through the exhibition caseback.
For a watch at this level, those little details make a difference.
The New iLink Bracelet
The bracelet is another area where Christopher Ward has put some thought into the everyday ownership experience.
The C63 comes on the brand's Bader bracelet, incorporating the new iLink tool less adjustment system.
Rather than needing a small screwdriver or a trip to the watch shop every time you want to remove a link, the iLink system allows the links to be removed without specialist tools.
There is also a quick release system and an engraved micro adjustable clasp. For an everyday sports watch, it is precisely the sort of feature you might not think much about when buying the watch but will appreciate every time you adjust it. And if you fancy giving the C63 a more casual or motorsport inspired look, the integrated rubber straps offer another option.
The Specifications
Case diameter: 41mm
Case thickness: 13.9mm
Lug to lug: 48mm
Case material: Stainless steel
Case finish: Brushed and polished Light catcher
Crystal: Anti reflective sapphire
Bezel: Sandblasted ceramic with tachymeter scale
Water resistance: 100 metres
Movement: Sellita SW510
Movement type: Automatic chronograph
Frequency: 28,800 vibrations per hour
Power reserve: Up to 62 hours
Jewels: 27
Timing tolerance: Minus 5 to plus 12 seconds per day
Chronograph layout: 3, 6 and 9
Lume: Super LumiNova
Bracelet: Bader stainless steel
Bracelet width: 22mm
Case weight: 84g
Weight with bracelet: 174g
Dial colours: Black, White, Sky Blue, Pink and Pistachio
Christopher Ward's First Mechanical Chronograph In Years
Perhaps the most significant thing about the C63 Sealander Chronograph is not any individual specification. It is the fact that Christopher Ward is making a proper mechanical chronograph again.
The brand has produced chronographs before, of course, including quartz powered models, but Christopher Ward describes the C63 as its first mechanical chronograph in years. That makes this more than just another addition to the Sealander family. It is a statement of intent.
The brand has spent years establishing itself as one of the more interesting names in British watchmaking, gradually moving further upmarket while retaining the value proposition that helped establish it in the first place. The C63 Sealander Chronograph sits neatly within that strategy.
Pricing And Availability
The new C63 Sealander Chronograph is available now in the five dial colours, with the choice of Bader bracelet or integrated rubber strap starting at £1895 and rising to £1995 on the bracelet.
Christopher Ward is also offering its usual 60 day free returns policy and a 60 month movement guarantee. There is also the option to have the watch personally engraved, with space for up to 25 characters.
Winding Things Up
The C63 Sealander Chronograph feels like a significant watch for Christopher Ward.
Not because it is doing something radically different, but because it takes one of the most enduring formats in mechanical watchmaking and gives it the Christopher Ward treatment.
There is the classic three register dial, ceramic tachymeter bezel and Sellita SW510 movement, but then you get the 41mm Light catcher case, 13.9mm thickness, Colimaçoné finishing and clever iLink bracelet system. And then there are those colours.
Black and white keep things suitably traditional, while the Sky Blue, Pink and Pistachio options give the C63 a much more contemporary personality.
Christopher Ward has clearly looked at some of the biggest names in chronograph history for inspiration. The interesting part is that the finished watch does not simply feel like an attempt to recreate one of them. It feels like a Sealander. And for Christopher Ward, that is probably the most important thing of all.
