Christopher Ward Introduces The Updated C65 Dune Aeolian Collection
For its first release of 2025, Christopher Ward decided to give the Dune collection a facelift. The English brand is introducing new dials for the Dune Automatic models in stainless steel and bronze. Additionally, Christopher Ward adds its third Dune GMT model to the lineup. After the inaugural black-dial limited edition, last year saw the release of a sand-dial version, the first permanent Dune GMT. This year, Christopher Ward adds a blue-dial variant to the lineup. Let’s take a look at the updated Christopher Ward C65 Dune Aeolian Collection.
It is no secret that I have a soft spot for Christopher Ward’s Dune line. The vintage-inspired field watches in it are great examples of affordable and tough daily wearers. But from the moment I saw the Dune GMT limited edition two years ago, I knew I had found my favorite watch from the brand. While taking it out for a lengthy spin, my initial feeling quickly turned into a deep love for the watch. There was one issue, however: the watch was a 200-piece limited edition that had sold out long before. But last year, I was lucky enough to be able to buy one, and it became my most worn watch of 2024. Needless to say, the Dune collection holds a special place in my heart.
The new Christopher Ward C65 Dune Aeolian Collection
Just as a quick reminder, the watches in the Christopher Ward Dune collection have a recognizable Explorer-esque style combined with a desert aesthetic. This makes for a series of tough, stylish, and affordable daily wearers that are hard to beat in terms of value for money. The series features the Dune Automatic model in stainless steel and bronze and the aforementioned Dune GMT in stainless steel. But with a set of new dials also comes a new name. Christopher Ward named the updated series the C65 Dune Aeolian Collection.
The name refers to the textured dials inspired by the aeolian sand patterns of the Dune du Pilat in southern France. Attentive readers will recognize this dial pattern from the C65 Dune Shoreline limited edition that Christopher Ward introduced in collaboration with Oracle Time magazine last year. Seeing that all 100 pieces of that model sold out in a flash, the decision to use similar dials for the new collection makes sense. Additionally, the brand updated the colors and improved the straps to introduce a properly revised collection.
The C65 Dune Aeolian Automatic
Let’s kick things off with the bread and butter of the collection. The Christopher Ward C65 Dune Aeolian Automatic features a 38mm stainless steel case that is 11.9mm thick and measures 43.7mm from lug to lug. The watch is water resistant up to 150 meters, and thanks to the 20mm lug spacing, it’s easy to find various straps to change up the look if desired. There are four dial variations, and all feature the new sand-inspired pattern with updated colors. The official names of the four dial colors are Silica gray, Eve blue, Marram green, and White Sand. As you can see, all four models have different lume colors to complement the dial hues.
As a result, the blue- and gray-dial versions look crisp and modern, whereas the sand- and green-dial versions have a more retro vibe. Besides the updated colors, the large applied indexes and characteristic hands are in the same style as their predecessors. This will most likely make it easier to find your favorite version based on color and dial texture alone. As usual, Christopher Ward uses the trusted Sellita SW200-1 caliber to power these Dune watches. The automatic movement operates at 28,800vph and offers 38 hours of power reserve. Accuracy-wise, the movement offers a tolerance of ±20 seconds per day.
No price hikes here
The C65 Dune Aeolian Automatic models are offered on a canvas strap for €950. The second option is a vintage leather strap that brings the price up slightly to €965. Last, you can choose the brand’s Bader bracelet, which will raise the price to €1,165. Knowing how well that bracelet is made and how comfortable it is, that would be my immediate pick. I feel the bracelet completes the package, turning these C65 Dune Aeolian Automatic models into great, sturdy daily wearers. I also love that Christopher Ward did not increase the prices for these new models, making the two versions on the straps among the best watches you can get for less than €1,000.
The C65 Dune Aeolian Bronze COSC
Alongside the “basic” steel three-hand models, we also get the C65 Dune Aeolian Bronze COSC. As the name already reveals, it features a bronze case, which has precisely the same measurements as the stainless steel version. Besides the weighing ever so slightly more (57 grams versus 55 grams for the stainless steel version), the bronze material is the only difference. In terms of dials, you have two options. The bronze case is matched with either a Dusk brown gradient dial or a Marram green gradient dial. This green hue is the same as in the stainless steel model, but the gradient and the Old Radium lume color combined with the patina-forming bronze case make this version distinct.
Christopher Ward equips the watches with the COSC-certified version of the Sellita SW200-1 caliber. The upgraded automatic movement offers an accuracy of +6/-4 seconds per day and ups the power reserve to 56 hours. Just like the stainless steel models, the C65 Dune Aeolian Bronze COSC is available on a canvas or vintage leather strap or a bronze Bader bracelet. Correspondingly, the prices are slightly higher with the upgraded movement and the bronze alloy. The watch costs €1,220 on the canvas strap, €1,235 on the leather strap, and €1,665 on the bronze bracelet.
The C65 Dune Aeolian GMT
The final model is a new version of the C65 Dune GMT. This one does not feature the textured dial of the two Aeolian Automatic models. Instead, the stainless steel case, which has the same dimensions as those, houses an Eve blue dial with sand-colored details. The blue dial takes a step back to the black-dial LE that I own because the day/night split on the internal 24-hour GMT scale returns. For last year’s sand-dial version, the brand only used one shade of green for the 24-hour ring. While I greatly enjoyed that model, I also love seeing the day/night split because it adds functionality and some visual pizzazz.
Inside this watch’s case, you’ll find the automatic Sellita SW330-2 caliber. This caller-style GMT movement operates at 28,800vph and offers 56 hours of power reserve. While it is not the preferred traveler-style GMT movement, I can say from experience that it is not a huge issue if you do not travel a lot and only keep track of the time in one extra time zone. This new blue-dial model is an interesting, vibrant version of the C65 Dune Aeolian GMT. Just like the Automatic, it is available on a canvas strap for €1,250, on a vintage leather strap for €1,265, and on a Bader bracelet for €1,465.
Impressions of the updated Christopher Ward C65 Dune Aeolian Collection
Overall, the updates found in the new Christopher Ward C65 Dune Aeolian Collection are significant but not revolutionary. As mentioned, the new dials are variations of the one in the hugely popular Oracle Time C65 Dune Shoreline edition. The texture also visually links the watches more strongly to the Dune concept. One initial reaction in the Fratello office was that the pattern of the dials is reminiscent of the wave pattern that Omega uses for its Seamaster Diver 300M dials. In terms of shape, the waves are similar, but the execution is different. Still, we will certainly get back to that comparison when we receive these new Dune watches for a hands-on review.
My immediate attention goes to the new GMT. I can’t wait to learn more when I take it for a spin. It is much more colorful and vibrant than the first two versions, and I wonder how that will work out on the wrist. Overall, it is safe to say that Christopher Ward updated its C65 Dune collection significantly with new dials and colors, and that will undoubtedly attract new fans. What remains the same, though, is that these watches offer incredible value for money. Christopher Ward continues to deliver when it comes to affordable watches that are simply hard to beat in terms of reliable movements and build quality. As mentioned, I can’t wait to spin the new models and learn more.
Please don’t hesitate to let us know what you think of the updated Christopher Ward C65 Dune Aeolian Collection in the comments below!
