Christopher Ward C60 Elite 1000
Have you heard about the quick release titanium bracelet Christopher Ward introduced along with the C60 Elite? If you hadn’t already, you just have. You’re welcome. Trust me: It’s going to make your life better.
It’s easy to get lost in the C60 divers’ watch range by Christopher Ward, but I’m here to help. Unless you’re a hardcore fan, I bet you won’t be able to recollect half of the brand’s C60 offering. As of now, there are 13 C60 models available online. 13 models ready to enchant your underwater soul. A GMT, a bronze, an 8-day power reserve, hand-etched or blacked-out dials, COSC specs, aluminum or ceramic bezels, even a quartz chronograph movement. You hardly could imagine a diver being so diverse. The price tags start at around €600, reaching up to €4,500. Honestly, it’s pretty impressive how nonchalantly Christopher Ward manages their customers’ happiness on both ends of the C60 ladder.
Give Rolex a break
If you are tired of the never-ending waiting list for your dream Rolex Submariner, here’s an alternative. Usually, the name Trident shines next to the C60. This time it reads Elite, suggesting it has higher ambitions. Its water-resistance-rating of 1,000 meters shall satisfy even the most demanding audience. The good news is that at a price tag starting around the same figure, you might just feel happy taking a blind punt on this one.
C60 Elite 1000
This new release continues the successful sales story of a 300-piece limited edition C60 Trident Elite 1000 that became the fastest-selling watch that Christopher Ward has ever made. One can hardly blame CW for deciding to re-open this chapter. Being great marketers, they added some necessary munition to the fight for customers. This time, the upgraded Sellita SW220 movement comes not only with chronometer specs, but also with a day-date function instead of a simple date. I see what Christopher Ward is doing here. If you tend to get lost during 3-hour long meetings or business planning, you might find this quite useful.
Titanium chronometer
Just like the previous limited C60 Trident Elite 1000, the new C60 Elite 1000 has the body crafted from titanium. Titanium boasts the highest strength-to-density ratio of any metallic element. It’s also renowned for both its lightweight and corrosion-resistant properties. If you are a bracelet kind of person, CW is implementing a quick-release on the titanium bracelet for the first time. With a weight of only 133g on the full 21cm bracelet, the C60 Elite 1000 is the lightest titanium chronometer Christopher Ward has ever produced. Great news for anyone hoping to feel like a hi-tech mermaid when exploring your favorite ocean reef.
The beauty play
If you are a bit like me and feel like the orange and blue tones are a bit much, Christopher Ward solves this dilemma too. Although, the original glossy navy blue with orange highlighted version remains, a new colorway joins the pack. A more mysterious black version with subtle red tones is a welcome alternative. I am in direct conflict with the press release, which considers the gloss finish of the blue version as the dressier option and the matte finish on the black version tougher. I feel it should be the other way round. The matt black combined with an all-black Cordura® strap is definitely my pick. If you plan to make the C60 Elite 1000 your daily driver, I suggest buying both the titanium bracelet and strap.
A built-in automatic helium release valve…
The unidirectional bezel is ceramic. The bezel and indexes are filled with Super-LumiNova Grade X1 GL C1 and the exhibition case back reveals an engraved rotor. That fancy ring on the opposite side of the crown represents a built-in automatic helium release valve that assists with equalization during the ascent from a dive. Very cool even though you will probably never use it.
Final thoughts
If you don’t need a shiny band on your wrist and titanium does the job, this heavy-duty tool might be for you. At €1,565 it offers quite excellent value. One thing is clear: If things continue at this pace, Christopher Ward will need to lay the foundations for the dedicated C60 museum pretty soon. 30 years from now, you’ll be bringing the next generation of watch fans to one of the largest technological exhibits known to man… Learn more about the brand here.
