Hands On With The Christopher Ward Bel Canto
How It All Began
When Christopher Ward (CW) released the Bel Canto back in November 2022, I was taken back by the sheer audacity of what was then a transitioning microbrand coming out with a piece of relatively “high horology”. The very thought of CW moving out of the safe lane and into this high risk investment in “different” was a bold and courageous move by the company. And my goodness did it pay off! Jump forward to 2026 and CW have evolved even further with more high risk pieces like the C12 Loco and the newest edition, the C1 Jump Hour Mk5. Both eye catching and high quality pieces that secure CW’s place at the top of the leaderboard for affordable luxury watches.
At the tail end of 2025, myself and Ben we’re lucky enough to visit CW’s headquarters in Maidenhead and what we found was exactly what we expected… A well organised, hugely professional and luxury experience from start to finish. The showroom was clean, practical and very well thought out, the sales guys (apologies if they have a better title) we’re knowledgeable and very helpful making the entire experience a welcome change from entering a high street jewellers.
Anyway, back to 2022 and my dad (the man who got me into watches) decided to pull the trigger on a Bel Canto. At that time the waiting list was long, and I mean long. I believe he finally received it mid way through 2023. On receiving this and seeing the piece in the flash, I was all in!
So for years after that as I was building my collection of Tags, Frederique Constant and eventually Tudor, I never quite found the funds for my beloved Bel Canto, until now! Late to the party but still just as enthusiastic, i’m absolutely loving my latest addition to the collection!
The Dial That Is Not Really a Dial
In black, the Bel Canto becomes more dramatic, more architectural. The layered construction is the headline act. Rather than hiding the mechanics beneath a traditional dial, Christopher Ward have elevated the chiming system to centre stage.
You are greeted by the exposed hammer at twelve, poised like a miniature conductor. Below it arcs the polished steel gong, partially visible and framing the upper section of the display. The bridges are dark, the surfaces finely finished, and the contrast between matte, brushed and polished elements creates real depth.
The time display itself is offset to the lower half, with a clean chapter ring and slender hands that do their job without stealing attention. This is a watch that wants you to admire its mechanics first and check the time second.
The level of finishing is what surprises most. Crisp edges, neatly brushed bridges, carefully applied indices and a balanced layout that could easily have felt chaotic but instead feels deliberate and harmonious. It is a thing to be amazed by in detail and build. Nothing feels rushed or ornamental for the sake of it.
The Heart of the Matter
Inside beats the Christopher Ward calibre FS01, developed in partnership with master watchmaker Frank Stelzer. It is based on the Sellita SW200 architecture but heavily reworked to incorporate the chiming mechanism on the dial side.
Full specifications:
Movement: Christopher Ward calibre FS01 minute striker
Base: Modified Sellita SW200
Frequency: 28,800 vibrations per hour
Power reserve: Approximately 38 hours
Functions: Hours, minutes, small seconds, hourly strike with on demand pusher
Case diameter: 41 mm
Case thickness: Approximately 13 mm
Lug to lug: Approximately 47 mm
Case material: Grade 5 titanium
Water resistance: 30 metres
Crystal: Sapphire front and back
Bracelet: Titanium Bader bracelet with butterfly clasp
The striker is activated automatically at the top of each hour, but can also be triggered on demand via the pusher at two o clock. Press it, and the hammer springs into action, striking the gong with a crisp, bright tone.
The Chime That Changes Everything
Let me be clear. The best part of the Bel Canto is the chime.
This is not a faint buzz or a token tick. It is a clean, resonant note that genuinely carries. In a quiet room it is unmistakable. In an office it will turn heads. Outdoors it still cuts through with surprising clarity.
There is something oddly emotional about it. Mechanical watches are often described as romantic, but hearing a mechanical sound produced by a system of levers, springs and a carefully tensioned gong gives that romance a literal voice. It transforms the watch from passive instrument to active participant.
The hammer movement is visible, which adds theatre. You feel the tension build as the hour approaches, then the sharp flick and the bright note. It never gets old. In fact, you find yourself pressing the pusher more often than strictly necessary just to experience it again.
For a complication typically seen in six figure minute repeaters, the accessibility here is remarkable. It feels democratic without feeling cheap.
On the Wrist
At 41 mm in titanium, the Bel Canto wears comfortably. The case finishing is sharp and modern, with a mix of brushed and polished surfaces that catch the light nicely. Titanium keeps the weight down, which suits a watch with this much visual presence.
The titanium Bader bracelet continues that light theme. It is beautifully machined, with solid links and a clean taper towards the clasp. It integrates well and matches the case finish properly.
The only real criticism is that the bracelet can feel slightly rattly. This may well be down to the inherent lightness of titanium, which lacks the dense reassuring heft of steel. It is not poorly made, but it does not quite have the silky solidity some might expect. On a watch this technically impressive, it stands out more than it otherwise might. That said, the comfort is excellent, and once sized correctly it sits securely and evenly on the wrist.
The Bigger Picture
The Bel Canto in black feels like a statement. Not flashy in a precious metal sense, but bold in ambition. It shows what can be done when a brand decides to rethink what is possible at a given price point.
It is easy to become cynical in modern watch collecting. Incremental updates, new dial colours, limited editions that are anything but. The Bel Canto cuts through that noise. It offers something genuinely different, mechanically interesting and emotionally engaging.
Yes, the bracelet could feel a touch more solid. But when the hour strikes and that clear chime rings out, it is hard to focus on anything else.
This is a watch that makes you look down, listen, and smile. And in a world full of silent tickers, that is something rather special.
