It’s been called a ‘game changer’, and the ‘most affordable Swiss-made mechanical chiming watch in the world’. UK watchmaker Christopher Ward generated some serious attention when it first launched the C1 Bel Canto in late 2022, with the watch quickly developing a cult following – mainly due to its surprisingly low price point. It’s not often you see a watch with a passing chime complication for below $4,000 (around £3,200).
Now, less than four months after the initial release of the Bel Canto, Christopher Ward is updating its collection with its first Bel Canto design collaboration. The brand has joined forces with watch collector group Watches@ to develop the limited edition Christopher Ward C1 Bel Canto x Watches@. The new watch hopes to showcase the design flexibility of the series, on top of its relative affordability – at least for a timepiece of this standing.
Chiming in on a striking design
The case of the watch uses the same bold titanium typical to the standard C1 Bel Canto, and measures 41mm-wide. The design here is nothing out of the ordinary, with standard tapered lugs and a polished case-side to contrast with the brushed titanium surface. The similarities to the original Bel Canto continue through to the pillbox crown located at the 2 o’clock position, as well as the 4 o’clock chime pusher. Moving away from the typical 3 o’clock crown does give the watch an interesting asymmetrical look, but so far there’s nothing new here that the original doesn’t offer, though a custom engraved caseback with Watches@ group emblem at the centre does make a new appearance.
Where the Christopher Ward C1 Bel Canto x Watches@ does stand out, however, is the dial. The original C1 Bel Canto featured a smooth sunburst texture, but this new model opts instead for a heavily grained surface in a striking yellow-gold. The idea is clearly to create the perfect background for the real star of the show – the exposed striking complication showcased on the lower half of the dial. Together with the exposed timekeeping sundial on the upper portion of the dial, supported by a skeleton bridge, the face of the timepiece has an almost industrial flair that is certainly eye-catching. Another minor tweak for the Watches@ iteration is that the hands on the timekeeping elements have been turned vibrant blue, in contrast to the gold dial base.
In the same manner as the previous C1 Bel Canto, it’s clear much work has gone into visually balancing all the exposed elements present on the dial, with all the key elements feeling very open air, but nothing stands stark on its own on the watchface.
Bespoke, inside and out
Again matching the previous C1 Bel Canto model, the C1 Bel Canto x Watches@ is powered by a heavily modified Sellita SW200-1-based FS01 automatic passing chime movement, granting the design a 38-hour power reserve and 28,00vph. The striking mechanism for the chiming complication features over 60 bespoke components, and was developed by Christopher Ward technical director Frank Stelzer.
The watch comes with a variety of different strap options to suit the new style, including a three-link oyster-style titanium bracelet, along with classic leather options, in black, deep navy, and muted tan.
Only 200 Christopher Ward C1 Bel Canto x Watches@ are being made, with 110 reserved exclusively for Watches@ group members. More information on the remaining 90 can be found at christopherward.com.
