There are watches that tell the time, watches that make a statement, and then there are watches that actually sing. Christopher Ward has added another wonderfully imaginative chapter to its Bel Canto story with the new C1 Bel Canto Lucia, a collaboration with fellow British watchmaker and design favourite Mr Jones Watches.
Building on the success of their previous collaboration, the Lucia takes the familiar Bel Canto chiming complication and transforms it into something considerably more whimsical. This time, the familiar mechanical bird has been brought to life as a fully realised songbird, complete with colourful plumage, intricate detailing and a rather lovely setting of decorative foliage.
Inspired by the famous mad scene in Gaetano Donizetti's opera Lucia di Lammermoor, the watch draws on the musical relationship between a soprano voice and a solo flute, with their exchanges of soaring notes evoking the sound of birdsong. It's an imaginative starting point, but one that translates remarkably well into a mechanical wristwatch.
At the centre of the dial sits the songbird, designed by illustrator Andy Wilx, whose work combines decorative patterns, rich colours and a distinctly fantastical aesthetic. Rather than simply decorating the dial, the artwork forms an integral part of the watch's mechanical personality.
The bird is constructed from six individual stamped brass components, with the team at Mr Jones Watches in London responsible for applying an impressive 19 different colours through an intricate pad printing process. Each colour requires its own plate and separate application, building the scene layer by layer across components measuring just a few millimetres. Gold plated framing elements add another touch of detail, helping the bird stand out against its foliage filled surroundings.
And, of course, this isn't just a pretty picture. The songbird performs the Bel Canto's signature hourly chime, with its tail doubling as the hammer that strikes a single D note every hour. Even better, its beak acts as the chime on and off indicator. Press the pusher at four o'clock and a rotating ladybird mechanism operates the beak, letting you know whether the bird is ready to sing or keeping its beak firmly shut.
Above the artwork sits a floating time display with a warm fumé sunburst finish, fading from a lighter centre towards a darker outer edge. The polished hands provide a clear contrast, while the layered construction and box sapphire crystal give the dial an impressive sense of depth.
The 41mm case is crafted from Grade 5 titanium, Christopher Ward's familiar Light-catcher design, measuring 48mm from lug to lug and 14.31mm in height. Despite the considerable amount of mechanical theatre taking place beneath the crystal, the case weighs just 54g before the strap is fitted.
Powering the Lucia is the new Calibre FS01-2, developed by Christopher Ward technical director Frank Stelzer. The movement combines the brand's in house sonnerie au passage module with Sellita's SW200-2 Power+ automatic base movement. The updated calibre brings a welcome improvement in power reserve, now offering up to 65 hours, while retaining a 4Hz operating frequency and an accuracy tolerance of -5/+12 seconds per day.
It's an interesting evolution of the Bel Canto platform, with the mechanical spectacle now matched by an entirely new visual identity. The collaboration also goes beyond simply borrowing an illustration, with Mr Jones Watches playing an active role in producing the individual dial components before they return to Christopher Ward's Atelier in Biel for final assembly.
Specification
Model: Christopher Ward C1 Bel Canto Lucia
Reference: C01-41APT5-T00O0-MC
Case: 41mm Grade 5 titanium
Thickness: 14.31mm
Lug To Lug: 48mm
Weight: 54g (case only)
Dial: Three dimensional, 19 colour pad printed artwork
Crystal: Box sapphire with anti reflective coating
Movement: Christopher Ward Calibre FS01-2
Base Movement: Sellita SW200-2 Power+
Power Reserve: Up to 65 hours
Frequency: 28,800vph (4Hz)
Complication: Sonnerie au passage
Water Resistance: 30 metres
Strap: Camel Fine Italian Leather
Price: £3995.00
Winding Things Up
The C1 Bel Canto Lucia is exactly the sort of watch that reminds us why independent watchmaking is so much fun. It takes an already clever complication and gives it an entirely new personality, combining traditional mechanical watchmaking with illustration, colour and a healthy dose of imagination.
Christopher Ward and Mr Jones Watches have clearly enjoyed themselves here, and the result feels genuinely special. It isn't trying to be another serious looking luxury watch, nor does it need to. With a songbird that actually sings, 19 colours across a miniature work of art and a clever mechanical movement underneath, the Lucia has plenty to talk about.
With Christopher Wards recent criticism from a certain YouTuber, this feels like the perfect time to show creativity and individuality. And if your watch collection is starting to feel a little too quiet, this might just be the answer.
