Christopher Ward

Author
Discussion

TheLordJohn

Original Poster:

5,746 posts

145 months

Monday 15th September 2014
quotequote all
Now then all.

I'm a watch Novice, and have nowhere near the budget most folk have. But I've spotted a nice Christopher Ward C70 I'd like to buy. I don't want to wear it, I just want it as I like the look of it smile
Any experiences with the brand please?

Regards, Stuart.

PJ S

10,842 posts

226 months

Monday 15th September 2014
quotequote all
Watches are to be worn, end of story!
If you want to just look at them, the internet is full of pictures for you to download and view any time you fancy.

TheLordJohn

Original Poster:

5,746 posts

145 months

Monday 15th September 2014
quotequote all
I can't agree. I don't even wear a watch now, and can't think of the last time I wore one.
I'm never in suitable attire to complement a nice watch. BUT, it would look excellent in my glass display cabinet with my AutoArt Jaguars smile

Hoofy

76,253 posts

281 months

Monday 15th September 2014
quotequote all
I do get what you mean. I might pick up a watch (I own, not shoplifting) and admire the design, put it on then take it off and put it back on my desk. nuts

PJ S

10,842 posts

226 months

Monday 15th September 2014
quotequote all
Nonsense, but you're free to be as eccentric as you want to be.
Asking for wearer's experiences is utterly pointless, since they'll not be able to relate to your intended (non) usage.

Can I claim my fiver now?


Edit:
Bloody hell.......better make that a tenner, there's two of them!

TheLordJohn

Original Poster:

5,746 posts

145 months

Monday 15th September 2014
quotequote all
Ahhhh, but you see, I asked for opinions from folk who have experience of the brand; you're being rather specific saying wearers. Something which I wasn't in my OP.
Anyway, I digress, even brand knowledge would be welcomed.
I know as much about watches as the general public know about enginerering.

PJ S

10,842 posts

226 months

Monday 15th September 2014
quotequote all
What are you worrying about experiences for? It's going to be a fecking ornament!

Hoofy

76,253 posts

281 months

Monday 15th September 2014
quotequote all
hehe

mrdemon

21,146 posts

264 months

Monday 15th September 2014
quotequote all
They look like fakes of the real thing but without the fake name badge.

Don't really like them .

Edited by mrdemon on Monday 15th September 22:21

TheLordJohn

Original Poster:

5,746 posts

145 months

Tuesday 16th September 2014
quotequote all
mrdemon said:
They look like fakes of the real thing but without the fake name badge.

Don't really like them .

Edited by mrdemon on Monday 15th September 22:21
This is the kind of response I was after.
What kind of regard are they held in, etc.

Thanks mate.

Hoofy

76,253 posts

281 months

Tuesday 16th September 2014
quotequote all
They're pretty well-built. Most are possibly a bit over-priced. They were bargains once but they ramped up the prices.

marcosgt

11,011 posts

175 months

Tuesday 16th September 2014
quotequote all
They're pretty decent watches (Swiss movements found in much dearer watches, decent case and strap/bracelet quality, interesting dials - Not all to my taste, I'll admit).

I'm not sure what the poster who accuses them of looking like fakes is thinking of, unless the about 90% of watch brands guilty of making a watch that looks a LITTLE like a Rolex Submariner (CWs are less guilty of blatant copying than many other brands - Steinhart for instance) are also fake looking (and even then that acos for a small part of CW's range).

Prices are on the up, but then who's aren't?

If you just want a watch that looks nice to put under glass, find a non working vintage watch on eBay for a tenner...

M.


mikeh501

708 posts

180 months

Tuesday 16th September 2014
quotequote all
marcosgt said:
They're pretty decent watches (Swiss movements found in much dearer watches, decent case and strap/bracelet quality, interesting dials - Not all to my taste, I'll admit).

I'm not sure what the poster who accuses them of looking like fakes is thinking of, unless the about 90% of watch brands guilty of making a watch that looks a LITTLE like a Rolex Submariner (CWs are less guilty of blatant copying than many other brands - Steinhart for instance) are also fake looking (and even then that acos for a small part of CW's range).

Prices are on the up, but then who's aren't?
They seem to add £50 every quarter from what ive seen. Pretty mad in all honesty, especially when they then knock 15%+ off every other month in a sale. Just doesnt help people see them as a proper brand, and the prices are now definately into proper brand territory. They are advertising a quartz watch for £2k! (yes ltd edition, but who cares its a CW). The other thing which annoys me is they seem to just put out a huge amount of different designs and then quickly drop those which dont work out, just makes it all seem a little too highly marketed, and perhaps not enough attention to getting the original design right.

marcosgt

11,011 posts

175 months

Tuesday 16th September 2014
quotequote all
mikeh501 said:
marcosgt said:
They're pretty decent watches (Swiss movements found in much dearer watches, decent case and strap/bracelet quality, interesting dials - Not all to my taste, I'll admit).

I'm not sure what the poster who accuses them of looking like fakes is thinking of, unless the about 90% of watch brands guilty of making a watch that looks a LITTLE like a Rolex Submariner (CWs are less guilty of blatant copying than many other brands - Steinhart for instance) are also fake looking (and even then that acos for a small part of CW's range).

Prices are on the up, but then who's aren't?
They seem to add £50 every quarter from what ive seen. Pretty mad in all honesty, especially when they then knock 15%+ off every other month in a sale. Just doesnt help people see them as a proper brand, and the prices are now definately into proper brand territory. They are advertising a quartz watch for £2k! (yes ltd edition, but who cares its a CW). The other thing which annoys me is they seem to just put out a huge amount of different designs and then quickly drop those which dont work out, just makes it all seem a little too highly marketed, and perhaps not enough attention to getting the original design right.
Well, some brands insist on keeping God-awful designs in production for years, so I guess that's just a different approach.

You seem quite exorcised by CW's approach. Sure it's not Champagne and chocolates in the AD type experience, but not everyone wants that.

As to price, Breitling make a number of Quartz watches for more than £5K, which makes the CW a bit of a bargain perhaps?

It was mentioned on another forum that the movement in their £2k quartz watch costs more to buy from ETA than one of their better automatic movements. On prices overall, ETA have been consistently moving the price of their movements up, which obviously impacts on CW's (and everyone else who uses them) costs.

I never really understand the froth over CW - If you don't like their products, just don't buy them.

It works fine for me for all sorts of things!

M

CAPP0

19,530 posts

202 months

Tuesday 16th September 2014
quotequote all
OP, search this forum for opinions on CW. It's been done to death here so I won't write out all of my (owner's, and not entirely positive) opinion yet again, but I can see the thread above drifting into exactly the same territory as all the others have gone to, so you'll find your answers with a quick look.

sad61t

1,100 posts

209 months

Tuesday 16th September 2014
quotequote all
Hi Stuart,

The C70 is a bit busy for my taste, but I can see that it would appeal to others. The VW4 is fascinating though I've no idea how to read the time smile

They're reasonably built for their price point just be prepared to wait a little for a sale, voucher or pre-owned one to come up on the site. It won't hold value in the same way a Swiss brand might but if you like the watch, buy it and enjoy looking at it.

marcosgt

11,011 posts

175 months

Tuesday 16th September 2014
quotequote all
sad61t said:
Hi Stuart,

The C70 is a bit busy for my taste, but I can see that it would appeal to others. The VW4 is fascinating though I've no idea how to read the time smile

They're reasonably built for their price point just be prepared to wait a little for a sale, voucher or pre-owned one to come up on the site. It won't hold value in the same way a Swiss brand might but if you like the watch, buy it and enjoy looking at it.
Used prices seem pretty strong really.

Not Rolex strong, but they put their prices up every year, so that effects used prices.

They're certainly no worse than the lesser Swatch brands, for example.

M

PS I've only got one CW and I bought it used, lest anyone thinks a fanboi, but I must say it's a decent watch.

michael gould

5,691 posts

240 months

Tuesday 16th September 2014
quotequote all
TheLordJohn said:
I can't agree. I don't even wear a watch now, and can't think of the last time I wore one.
I'm never in suitable attire to complement a nice watch. BUT, it would look excellent in my glass display cabinet with my AutoArt Jaguars smile
well ...you probably have chosen the right make of watch for your "glass display cabinet" if you have model Jaguars which are normally owned by second hand car salesmen in sheepskin coats ( that's the full size versions) then I'm sure CW watch will compliment your display wonderfully smile

mikeh501

708 posts

180 months

Tuesday 16th September 2014
quotequote all
marcosgt said:
Well, some brands insist on keeping God-awful designs in production for years, so I guess that's just a different approach.

You seem quite exorcised by CW's approach. Sure it's not Champagne and chocolates in the AD type experience, but not everyone wants that.

As to price, Breitling make a number of Quartz watches for more than £5K, which makes the CW a bit of a bargain perhaps?

It was mentioned on another forum that the movement in their £2k quartz watch costs more to buy from ETA than one of their better automatic movements. On prices overall, ETA have been consistently moving the price of their movements up, which obviously impacts on CW's (and everyone else who uses them) costs.

I never really understand the froth over CW - If you don't like their products, just don't buy them.

It works fine for me for all sorts of things!

M
to be fair, i have 2 CW watches; just wouldnt buy a third.

SVS

3,824 posts

270 months

Tuesday 16th September 2014
quotequote all
I don't own a CW watch, but agree that they seem pretty decent watches.

marcosgt said:
They're pretty decent watches ... I'm not sure what the poster who accuses them of looking like fakes is thinking of, unless the about 90% of watch brands guilty of making a watch that looks a LITTLE like a Rolex Submariner
Exactly yes Also, Rolex could be accused of making watches that look a little like Blancpain's Fifty Fathoms. Rolex was second to market, following Blancpain, with this style of dive watch. There are only so many ways to design a dive watch with a rotating bezel; some of them are going to look similar.