Hands-On With The Summery Christopher Ward C60 Trident GMT 300
As I write the first sentence of this article, summer has left us for this year. Here in the Netherlands, it’s the first of a seemingly long streak of days below 20° Celsius or 68° Fahrenheit. It is just as much a psychological adjustment as an actual meteorological one. As the sunlight changes, leaves start falling off the trees, and light, airy clothes are replaced by warmer attire to suit the lower temperatures, the mind also resigns itself to the colder months. But in this changing of seasons, there is always this longing for a longer summer. I’ll try to hold on to the warmer days for a bit by strapping the Christopher Ward C60 Trident GMT 300 to my wrist. Will this colorful GMT be able to keep the summery days going? It’s time to find out.
The Christopher Ward C60 Trident GMT 300 is a recent release. But if you blinked once, you might have missed it. The British brand has had quite a few notable releases lately, so it might be tough staying up to date with all that’s coming out of its Maidenhead headquarters. The colorful version of this dive-watch-based GMT was one of three new watches that were unveiled at the end of July. The first two were more serious in their presence. One features a blue dial with a bezel insert in two different shades of blue. The second features a white dial with a blue and white bezel insert. On a bracelet, these two models look like serious daily wearers that could suit any situation from casual summer days to more serious business affairs.
The story of the Christopher Ward C60 Trident GMT 300
The third model that Christopher Ward offered for review stands out immediately. It has a gradient dial that starts almost off-whiteish in the center and gradually changes to a saturated teal at the edges. On top of that, the watch features a stainless steel bezel insert. Combining the gradient dial and the full-steel bezel sets this third model apart. Additionally, we received the watch on a bright yellow Aquaflex rubber strap, which cranks the summer vibes up to 11 instantly. The watch is also available on the brand’s Bader and Consort bracelets, which play no small part in toning it down.
Overall, the first two models are the perfect serious GMT versions of the brand’s popular C60 Trident diver. The colorful model we had leans more toward a lighthearted dive watch with a GMT complication, and I can say that it does that very well. If I were to create a belated list of summer watches, this would certainly be on it.
The specs
All versions of the C60 Trident GMT 300 have a 40mm stainless steel case that measures 11.7mm thick and 47.5mm from lug to lug. As the watch’s name suggests, it offers a 300m depth rating. The predominantly brushed case has beautifully polished bevels on the sides and a polished bezel (minus the insert), making it a joy to behold. Especially in sunlight, the case comes to life beautifully.
The stainless steel bezel insert also plays a big part in that. The contrast of the grainy texture and the polished raised numerals is lovely. Furthermore, the choice of materials and the way they are finished give the watch character and make it feel like a proper luxury timepiece.
The bidirectional bezel is easy to grip and rotates with nice, firm clicks. The large branded crown on the right side of the case provides the same quality feel. It’s super easy to grip, and operating it is a joy.
As mentioned, we had the watch on the brand’s yellow Aquaflex strap. Not only does it add a big splash of color, but it also makes the watch quite pleasant to wear. This sturdy yet flexible strap nicely balances the reasonably slim watch on the wrist. That’s also where you get a good idea of how nicely sculpted the Light-Catcher case is. It makes you wonder what other brands are up to when designing a slim case for a nice GMT. Not only does it make the watch look luxurious, but it also makes it so comfortable.
The colorful dial of the C60 Trident GMT 300
On the wrist, you also get a good idea of the detailed dial. This summery backdrop is contrasted by applied hour markers filled with white Super-LumiNova. The index at 6 o’clock is shorter because the date window sits right above it. Pleasingly, though, the date disc is the same teal color as the edges of the dial, and the date is printed in white.
The handset consists of Christopher Ward’s familiar hour, minute, and seconds hands complemented by a bright yellow GMT hand. Along with the hour markers, the three main steel hands feature a mixture of finishes that add to the appeal.
The dial truly comes to life in sunlight. The way the light reflects off of the indexes is nothing short of wonderful. It brilliantly adds to the watch’s luxury presence and elevates this release above so many other watches in the same sub-€2K price category.
Inside the case, Christopher Ward equips the watch with the Sellita SW330-2. This automatic caller-style GMT movement also powers other multi-time watches from the brand, including my C65 Dune GMT. The caliber operates at a 28,800vph frequency, has 25 jewels, and offers 56 hours of power reserve.
The officially stated accuracy of the movement is ±20 seconds per day, but I can say that I checked my C65 Dune GMT multiple times, and it runs within chronometer specifications. That’s a lot more impressive than the official number might have you expect. The movement comes with a customized rotor featuring a branded logo pattern. Other than that, the fishing is fairly straightforward.
Final thoughts about the C60 Trident GMT 300
As I mentioned, this summery C60 Trident GMT 300 truly comes to life on the wrist, shining brightly but not just because of its colorful presence. This specific version of the watch has tons of character, which is emphasized by the beautiful finishing and outstanding build quality. While I am not one to buy a watch specifically for summer, this C60 Trident GMT 300 would be a top contender if I were.
The combination of elements here makes me smile every time I look at it. It is simply a colorful version of a fantastic watch. With the sculpture of the case, the slim profile, the stainless steel bezel, the build quality, the way it sits on the wrist, and the reliable movement, there is much to love here.
Considering that the teal C60 Trident GMT 300 can be yours for €1,295, it is a lot of watch for your money. The Bader bracelet adds an extra €200 to the price, while the Consort bracelet costs €245 more. But I wouldn’t go for this specific version on a bracelet.
Both bracelets make the watch way too serious. If you want a serious version, go for one of the two that I mentioned earlier. On the yellow Aquaflex strap, this teal C60 Trident is the perfect summer GMT, offering you everything that makes Christopher Ward such an impressive brand. This watch’s summery presence is enough to help me hold on to summer a bit longer. And that, my friends, is a feeling that is hard to beat.
For more information on the C60 Trident GMT 300, visit the official Christopher Ward website. In the comments section, let us know your thoughts on this summery water-going GMT.
