Christoper Ward Trident Pro 600
Discussion
I have been looking at the above watch for a while now and I am about to pull the trigger and buy one.
After doing some research there seems to be a lot of hate for the brand, which im struggling to understand.
The watch in question has a Ceramic bezel, sapphire glass, 600m water resistance and by all accounts with my limited knowledge it has a good ETA movement. I also like the look of it, although I cant see one in the flesh as they are online only.
I have also looked at alternatives for around the same price point. longines hydroconquest, Lovely looking but not ceramic. Hamilton Khaki Frogman again not ceramic, also both watches are over £100 more.
What am i missing as the CW looks on paper a real bargain given the specs and movement and I also love the look at it. The only thing I dont like is how high the bezel sits on the watch case, I think the Hamilton bezel sits much better.
After doing some research there seems to be a lot of hate for the brand, which im struggling to understand.
The watch in question has a Ceramic bezel, sapphire glass, 600m water resistance and by all accounts with my limited knowledge it has a good ETA movement. I also like the look of it, although I cant see one in the flesh as they are online only.
I have also looked at alternatives for around the same price point. longines hydroconquest, Lovely looking but not ceramic. Hamilton Khaki Frogman again not ceramic, also both watches are over £100 more.
What am i missing as the CW looks on paper a real bargain given the specs and movement and I also love the look at it. The only thing I dont like is how high the bezel sits on the watch case, I think the Hamilton bezel sits much better.
I also don't get the anti CW feelings on here.
I've just ordered the C65 in blue.
Another you could consider is the Magrette Moana Pacific Kara. Similar price to the CW but titanium case, Swiss movement, sapphire crystal, ceramic fully lumed bezel a sapphire case back. The only trade off is 500m water resistance.
Damn... Now I'm tempted to cancel the CW and get the Kara...
I've just ordered the C65 in blue.
Another you could consider is the Magrette Moana Pacific Kara. Similar price to the CW but titanium case, Swiss movement, sapphire crystal, ceramic fully lumed bezel a sapphire case back. The only trade off is 500m water resistance.
Damn... Now I'm tempted to cancel the CW and get the Kara...
Edited by lostkiwi on Friday 22 June 00:20
Chuffedmonkey said:
I have been looking at the above watch for a while now and I am about to pull the trigger and buy one.
After doing some research there seems to be a lot of hate for the brand, which im struggling to understand.
The watch in question has a Ceramic bezel, sapphire glass, 600m water resistance and by all accounts with my limited knowledge it has a good ETA movement. I also like the look of it, although I cant see one in the flesh as they are online only.
I have also looked at alternatives for around the same price point. longines hydroconquest, Lovely looking but not ceramic. Hamilton Khaki Frogman again not ceramic, also both watches are over £100 more.
What am i missing as the CW looks on paper a real bargain given the specs and movement and I also love the look at it. The only thing I dont like is how high the bezel sits on the watch case, I think the Hamilton bezel sits much better.
I've got one - white face, black bezel - and its a good watch. It seems very well made, nicely heavy and mine shows very little wear and tear after 18 months of near daily wear. They are very good value for money, but ensure you buy during one of the many sales. Current discount code is "100SUN18".After doing some research there seems to be a lot of hate for the brand, which im struggling to understand.
The watch in question has a Ceramic bezel, sapphire glass, 600m water resistance and by all accounts with my limited knowledge it has a good ETA movement. I also like the look of it, although I cant see one in the flesh as they are online only.
I have also looked at alternatives for around the same price point. longines hydroconquest, Lovely looking but not ceramic. Hamilton Khaki Frogman again not ceramic, also both watches are over £100 more.
What am i missing as the CW looks on paper a real bargain given the specs and movement and I also love the look at it. The only thing I dont like is how high the bezel sits on the watch case, I think the Hamilton bezel sits much better.
The Christopher Ward 60/60 scheme allows you to buy the watch and have a look at it. Provided you return it within 60 days in an unworn condition, you will get your money and your return postage refunded.
I have a couple of the C60s. I only need one of them, but can't bring myself to sell off the one I'm not wearing.
I have a couple of the C60s. I only need one of them, but can't bring myself to sell off the one I'm not wearing.
I have a TridentPro 600, black face, bought about 18 months ago - mostly wear GShocks so this is just for smart days. I love it. Despite having the wrists of a 12 year old girl, I went for the 43mm, and it doesn't look too big (in my opinion).
I live near the Maidenhead showroom, so bought it from there - it was quite nice having the celebrity treatment and trying a few on. (I assume celebrities get free coffees, right?)
I'd also love the bronze version, but just don't think i'd wear it enough to justify a 2nd.
I live near the Maidenhead showroom, so bought it from there - it was quite nice having the celebrity treatment and trying a few on. (I assume celebrities get free coffees, right?)
I'd also love the bronze version, but just don't think i'd wear it enough to justify a 2nd.
Chuffedmonkey said:
I have been looking at the above watch for a while now and I am about to pull the trigger and buy one.
After doing some research there seems to be a lot of hate for the brand, which im struggling to understand.
The watch in question has a Ceramic bezel, sapphire glass, 600m water resistance and by all accounts with my limited knowledge it has a good ETA movement. I also like the look of it, although I cant see one in the flesh as they are online only.
I have also looked at alternatives for around the same price point. longines hydroconquest, Lovely looking but not ceramic. Hamilton Khaki Frogman again not ceramic, also both watches are over £100 more.
What am i missing as the CW looks on paper a real bargain given the specs and movement and I also love the look at it. The only thing I dont like is how high the bezel sits on the watch case, I think the Hamilton bezel sits much better.
I think it's an excellent watch; well built, nice design, very good movement (Swiss Sellita SW200 which is the same as an ETA 2824 in every respect) at a good price. CWH are based in Henley and they're a well established watch company so you should have no concerns in those areas.After doing some research there seems to be a lot of hate for the brand, which im struggling to understand.
The watch in question has a Ceramic bezel, sapphire glass, 600m water resistance and by all accounts with my limited knowledge it has a good ETA movement. I also like the look of it, although I cant see one in the flesh as they are online only.
I have also looked at alternatives for around the same price point. longines hydroconquest, Lovely looking but not ceramic. Hamilton Khaki Frogman again not ceramic, also both watches are over £100 more.
What am i missing as the CW looks on paper a real bargain given the specs and movement and I also love the look at it. The only thing I dont like is how high the bezel sits on the watch case, I think the Hamilton bezel sits much better.
The key thing with any watch is that you're buying it for yourself rather than for other peoples approval or disapproval, so if it ticks all the boxes for you then it's definitely the one to buy.
New branding is awful, although great for owners of the older stuff as they are much preferred.
I've had 2. One Pro in Black, sold due to not wearing. One blue bezel blue leather strap which I have kept for 'meetings' when I don't want to wear a more expensive watch for the potential negative image.
I really like them. Well made pieces
I've had 2. One Pro in Black, sold due to not wearing. One blue bezel blue leather strap which I have kept for 'meetings' when I don't want to wear a more expensive watch for the potential negative image.
I really like them. Well made pieces
I think some of the dislike shown towards the brand, came about a few years back, when CW went from a reasonably priced brand(Read very good value and cheap) to what they are trying to make themselves today, which is an attempt to be considered a semi-premium, if not premium brand.
They tried to do it in a very short time frame, we are talking months. Most expensive watch went from under £500 to what they are today(Dont know for certain but over £2000, I havnt checked)
People saw this as just pure opportunism, on CW's part. A lot were suspicious that nothing had really changed with the watches, just the prices going up. Rebranding the company, renaming watches and hiking their prices.
No idea if any of it was really true, certainly the prices rocketed, but no idea if quality improved or not. However it did annoy a lot of people on here and TZ-UK and once you have detractors, it is very hard to ever full over come that.
They tried to do it in a very short time frame, we are talking months. Most expensive watch went from under £500 to what they are today(Dont know for certain but over £2000, I havnt checked)
People saw this as just pure opportunism, on CW's part. A lot were suspicious that nothing had really changed with the watches, just the prices going up. Rebranding the company, renaming watches and hiking their prices.
No idea if any of it was really true, certainly the prices rocketed, but no idea if quality improved or not. However it did annoy a lot of people on here and TZ-UK and once you have detractors, it is very hard to ever full over come that.
I have a C600 and like the style and apparent build quality. I also used to have a C7 (quartz Speedmaster lookylikely). I do have a word of warning though.
My first C600 lost time badly; way out of tolerance. To be fair, CW exchanged it for another and that's been fine. It happens.
The C7 was fine for about 6 months and then the second hand stuck at about "second 36", no idea why; it was clearly trying to continue its rotation as it could be seen "twitching" but the watch was U/S. It went back to CW who changed the movement and returned it. Unfortunately the stop watch timing hands on one of the inset dials did not line up at 12 O'clock when the stop watch was set to zero, so back the watch went again. This time I got a refund.
So 3 CW watches owned and 4 movements, and 3 of them have been duff. Maybe I was unlucky because for every one bad eg, there will be 999 others who are very happy and who probably wont post good news stories on the net! Similarly there will be owners of other brands (some selling considerably more expensive watches) that will have horror stories.
I still like the replacement C600 (in fact I am wearing it today) but I am considering a Steinhart Aviation Automatik as my next purchase and hope I will be luckier! I probably wouldn't buy another CW watch.
My first C600 lost time badly; way out of tolerance. To be fair, CW exchanged it for another and that's been fine. It happens.
The C7 was fine for about 6 months and then the second hand stuck at about "second 36", no idea why; it was clearly trying to continue its rotation as it could be seen "twitching" but the watch was U/S. It went back to CW who changed the movement and returned it. Unfortunately the stop watch timing hands on one of the inset dials did not line up at 12 O'clock when the stop watch was set to zero, so back the watch went again. This time I got a refund.
So 3 CW watches owned and 4 movements, and 3 of them have been duff. Maybe I was unlucky because for every one bad eg, there will be 999 others who are very happy and who probably wont post good news stories on the net! Similarly there will be owners of other brands (some selling considerably more expensive watches) that will have horror stories.
I still like the replacement C600 (in fact I am wearing it today) but I am considering a Steinhart Aviation Automatik as my next purchase and hope I will be luckier! I probably wouldn't buy another CW watch.
I have a Trident 600. Quality watch, reliable movement, 5-year warranty, good value and built like a tank.
The clasp has a fantastic micro-adjust ratchet system (like a less-good Rolex Glidelock), whereby you can extend or reduce the bracelet length by about a centimetre just by flicking a little tab, without the need for any tools. Makes it easier to get an instantly comfy fit on a hot day if your wrist swells.
There’s really little difference (except perhaps a slightly better level of finishing & brand awareness) between a Trident and something like a TAG Heuer Aquaracer or an Oris Aquis – they are all stainless 316L steel divers, with sapphire crystals and ETA/Sellita movements. However, with CW you don’t pay extra for an advertising budget and the Authorised Dealer’s 30-40% cut.
I’ll probably be selling mine after a few years’ ownership though, because it’s personally a little too big to be comfortable on my wrist, and it doesn’t get much wear these days.
They rightly get some stick because they have made a rod for their own back through making an odd re-branding/logo choice not just once, but twice, and also because they habitually have sales on their website. However, much of the criticism is ill-informed & clichéd.
As to greedily increasing prices with aspirations of being seen as a premium brand, I think that’s partially an unfair misconception. Yes, prices have indeed increased, but then many brands have done likewise since Brexit etc. and the cost of buying-in Third Party movements & materials.
I think the issue is most people probably still think of them as an expensive version of Steinhart, just knocking out dive watches, when in actuality they are an ambitious brand that has made great technical strides in around 10 years – look at their developing of their own COSC-certified, 5-day power reserve, in-house movement, plus their own development of module complications like mono-pusher chronographs, big dates, jump-hours, world timers, moonphases etc.
It’s a broad church - though I find a lot of their designs marmite, and can't really get along with that new logo.
The clasp has a fantastic micro-adjust ratchet system (like a less-good Rolex Glidelock), whereby you can extend or reduce the bracelet length by about a centimetre just by flicking a little tab, without the need for any tools. Makes it easier to get an instantly comfy fit on a hot day if your wrist swells.
There’s really little difference (except perhaps a slightly better level of finishing & brand awareness) between a Trident and something like a TAG Heuer Aquaracer or an Oris Aquis – they are all stainless 316L steel divers, with sapphire crystals and ETA/Sellita movements. However, with CW you don’t pay extra for an advertising budget and the Authorised Dealer’s 30-40% cut.
I’ll probably be selling mine after a few years’ ownership though, because it’s personally a little too big to be comfortable on my wrist, and it doesn’t get much wear these days.
They rightly get some stick because they have made a rod for their own back through making an odd re-branding/logo choice not just once, but twice, and also because they habitually have sales on their website. However, much of the criticism is ill-informed & clichéd.
As to greedily increasing prices with aspirations of being seen as a premium brand, I think that’s partially an unfair misconception. Yes, prices have indeed increased, but then many brands have done likewise since Brexit etc. and the cost of buying-in Third Party movements & materials.
I think the issue is most people probably still think of them as an expensive version of Steinhart, just knocking out dive watches, when in actuality they are an ambitious brand that has made great technical strides in around 10 years – look at their developing of their own COSC-certified, 5-day power reserve, in-house movement, plus their own development of module complications like mono-pusher chronographs, big dates, jump-hours, world timers, moonphases etc.
It’s a broad church - though I find a lot of their designs marmite, and can't really get along with that new logo.
I really like their new retro diver but I really really dislike all the branding Christopher award has ever used. Saying that I bought my wife a Bellisima half price when the stopped making ladies watches. It’s a Cartier Tank homage/rip off and I’d happily put a leather strap on it to wear myself.
Seems they are good watches judging by the replies and Im pretty certain I am going to purchase a black one tonight unless the sales are going to make me wait.
The £100 off code makes it £625 is that the best ill get? Iv read they have frequent sales so If £625 is the best I can get then ill buy now rather then wait for the sales.
The £100 off code makes it £625 is that the best ill get? Iv read they have frequent sales so If £625 is the best I can get then ill buy now rather then wait for the sales.
I really need to stop looking at the the CW web site as once the trident is purchased I quite fancy this as dress watch
https://www.christopherward.co.uk/watches/dress/c5...
https://www.christopherward.co.uk/watches/dress/c5...
tangerine_sedge said:
I've got one - white face, black bezel - and its a good watch. It seems very well made, nicely heavy and mine shows very little wear and tear after 18 months of near daily wear. They are very good value for money, but ensure you buy during one of the many sales. Current discount code is "100SUN18".
I have just ordered it now, thanks for the code. I ended up paying £653 due to having it engraved as its my wedding gift. Looking forward to seeing it in the flesh now.
Beachbum said:
I think some of the dislike shown towards the brand, came about a few years back, when CW went from a reasonably priced brand(Read very good value and cheap) to what they are trying to make themselves today, which is an attempt to be considered a semi-premium, if not premium brand.
What turned me off completely - and I own a CW watch - was the utterly blatant copying of other more established models (IWC, Omega, Bremont, to name but a few). I'm slightly embarrassed to wear mine these days, for that reason, which I didn't know when I bought it. But they seem to have started to use their own imagination slightly more now and their watches don't look so much like a cheap hooky knock-off of something more expensive.Gassing Station | Watches | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff