Introducing: The Limited-Edition Christopher Ward × Mr Jones Watches Celestial
A couple of weeks ago, the British Watchmakers’ Day occurred in London. Not only was it a day to get to know almost 45 British watch brands but also a chance for people to get their hands on one of the more than 30 special-edition watches presented there. Both Christopher Ward and Mr Jones Watches were present at the event. They also offered people a chance to buy one of their limited-edition watches. Somehow, though, it looks like their creativity didn’t end just yet. Today, the two British brands present us with yet another 300-piece limited-edition watch. This time, it’s called the Celestial, a combination of Christopher Ward’s C1 Moonphase 37 and Mr Jones Watches’ unlimited and quirky creativity.
The original 40.5mm C1 Moonphase
In 2023, Christopher Ward introduced its 40.5mm C1 Moonphase. Usually, a moonphase complication on a watch finds itself in a sub-dial at 6 or 12 o’clock. However, the moonphase display on the C1 takes up a good half of the dial. It’s a watch that says, “So, you wanted a moonphase? Here’s your moonphase!” At the end of last year, Christoper Ward introduced a smaller 37mm version of its C1 Moonphase, and that’s the version Mr Jones Watches made a custom design for. In proper Mr Jones style, it’s very cartoony, colorful, and captivating. Let’s take a look.
The Christopher Ward × Mr Jones Watches Celestial
Let’s start with the basics and then work our way up to the artwork on the dial. As you might have expected, the so-called Light Catcher case on the Christopher Ward × Mr Jones Watches Celestial measures 37mm in diameter. From the domed sapphire crystal up top to the sapphire crystal in the case back, the watch measures 13.1mm thick. Finally, the lugs span a modest 44.1mm from tip to tip, which makes this a very compact watch suitable for wrists of many different sizes. The Celestial comes on a five-row brushed and polished Consort bracelet or a blue or gray leather strap.
With the push-pull crown at 3 o’clock, you operate the modular automatic movement. It combines an off-the-shelf Elaboré-grade Sellita SW220-1 caliber and an in-house-developed JJ04 moonphase module. Jorg described it very well in his hands-on introduction article of the C1 Moonphase: “The module links the moon to the hour hand, ensuring that both are in perpetual motion. As a result, the lunar phases are displayed via one smooth movement rather than incremental clicks. If you always keep the watch wound, theoretically, it will accurately display the phases of our Moon for 128 years. You will probably have to get the watch serviced before then, but it’s a neat thought nonetheless.”
The movement runs at a frequency of 28,800vph, features 26 jewels, and holds a power reserve of 38 hours. Like the dial, the exhibition case back shows some clouds, birds, and a moon. The custom rotor features the brand’s logos and the Celestial name. The case back attaches with four screws to the case, and the watch is water resistant to 30 meters.
The competition-winning dial
While the original Christopher Ward C1 Moonphase features an elegant aventurine dial, the Celestial has a much more playful decor. However, both versions are equally captivating, don’t you think? To come to the final dial design of the Celestial, Mr Jones Watches organized an internal competition among the members of its team. Everyone could come up with their versions of the moonphase dial. In the end, the lead assembly technician at Mr Jones, Bea Watts, won, and her design came to life in the limited-edition Celestial.
I could try to explain it, but maybe it’s better to let Bea describe her inspiration: “My design celebrates the beauty of the night sky in a playful way. I was inspired by the magical feeling of sitting outside to watch the sunset and staying there till day transitions into night. The moon begins to appear in the sky, swallows swoop and dive through the air, and in my design, you’re transported into the air, too, hovering above a blanket of clouds. It’s a cozy, secret space from which to stargaze; my design captures a feeling of comfort and quiet and encourages you to appreciate the fleetingness of a certain moment.”
The lower half of the dial features a large bed of fluffy clouds that work their way up to the large, sleepy moon. Every once in a while, a silver star appears, and the two pink birds indicate the hours and minutes. The higher cloud right in the middle spins to show the seconds. In the dark, the only thing that lights up is the moon in its cozy bed of clouds.
Limited to 300 pieces
The Christopher Ward × Mr Jones Watches Celestial is a limited edition of 300 pieces. It costs €3,020 on the Consort bracelet and €2,850 on a blue or gray leather strap. That makes it a little more expensive than the regular 37mm C1 Moonphase (€2,665). However, you do get a watch with a very original moonphase design that, along with the clouds, covers the entire dial of your watch. I’m sure the Celestial will be a record-breaking conversation starter. Even when the moon is not in sight on the dial, you’ll still get a smile on your face when you see those two little birds flying around and telling the time.
I also like how the artwork isn’t just on the dial but also on the front and rear sapphire crystals. This, together with the birds and the spinning cloud for the seconds, makes the Celestial a true three-dimensional work of art. If you want to get your hands on the Celestial, it’s good to know the watch is exclusively available from Christopher Ward.
What do you think of this quirky Celestial from Christopher Ward and Mr Jones Watches? Let me know in the comments below.
