Tell me about Christopher Ward...

[Disastrous]

I'm interested in this, the C7 Rapide chrono:

http://www.christopherward.co.uk/men/sport/c7/c7sk...

It seems nice looking etc. and they bang on a lot on their website about how it's a quality Swiss watch for not a lot of cash. How good are they really? Any owners on here like to comment? Will I just be disappointed if I get one or are they as good as they make out?

How do they stack up in comparison to more famous, expensive brands like Tag Heuer/Omega etc?

Cheers!

[ShadownINja]

Well, I've had the pleasure of trying a couple (one auto dress watch and one quartz diver). They certainly are nice timepieces but not in the Omega/Tag league (hence they are cheaper). At the price point, worth considering... you could even pick up a bargain in their sales section or their forum. They've been discussed on here before so well-worth searching for the old thread.

[Disastrous]

ShadownINja said:

Well, I've had the pleasure of trying a couple (one auto dress watch and one quartz diver). They certainly are nice timepieces but not in the Omega/Tag league (hence they are cheaper). At the price point, worth considering... you could even pick up a bargain in their sales section or their forum. They've been discussed on here before so well-worth searching for the old thread.

Yeah, I had a search but couldn't pick up much in-depth mention of them beyond a 'try CW' suggestion here and there...

In what way are they not as good as the more big name brands, if you see what I mean? What bits do they compromise on?

[rednotdead]

My wife has 3 CWs, 2 chrono's and the splash. All are beautifully made and look and feel far more expensive than they are. The pricier models in the range are stretching the 'value for money' I think, although the speedhawk is still one of the cheapest ways to get into a brand new Valjoux 7750 movement.

If you're buying new don't forget they have the 60:60 returns policy, there are also the nearly new offers available......

[ShadownINja]

Disastrous said:

In what way are they not as good as the more big name brands, if you see what I mean? What bits do they compromise on?

I swear there's a whole thread dedicated to them. I think the search function isn't working properly. In desperation, you could go through the watch forum as far as it goes.

As for quality, the movements are bought-in which cuts down on cost (reliable ETA movements). The watches (or at least the movements) are very likely assembled in China which also cuts down on cost - not necessarily a bad thing as they've clearly established a good relationship with whoever their supplier is. You are comparing a £300 watch with a £1500 watch, though, aren't you?

Edited by ShadownINja on Wednesday 23 June 09:21

[MG511]

Got my BiL that exact watch for Xmas, very good quality and he is very pleased with it. Price wise it compares with a Tissot quartz, he looked at a few of those but chose the CW.

[Mattt]

Ive got a C40 and a few others. They are swiss movements and swiss made, not china or elsewhere.

F theor money they are hard too beat.

[MG511]

Just been looking on the Ernest Jones sale thread, went to the site and found this, similar looking but much cheaper http://www.ernestjones.co.uk/webstore/d/6746683/ro...

[Mr Beastmaster]

I have two Christopher Ward watches a Malvern Aviator which has the ETA 2824 automatic movement. This watch is a lovely watch, well made, stylish and with a nicely decorated movement which can be seen through a display back.

My other one is a C6 Kingfisher with a yellow face. This is quartz but rated to 300metres again I'm really pleased with them. I have some more expensive watches, at ten times the price of CWL which I love but in truth they are not ten times better than CWL.

Try one you will be very pleased. Here are mine.

Edited by Mr Beastmaster on Wednesday 23 June 11:47

[Disastrous]

They look very nice - the aviator in particular appeals to me a lot!

I'm very tempted by one. Are there any other comparable brands I might want to try? We had Tissot further up the thread, they're probably worth a look as well...Any others for around that price?

[MG511]

This http://www.amazon.co.uk/Tissot-T17-1-526-52-PRC200... Tissot is similar in style and price

[Nolar Dog]

What about TW Steel?

[vtecstu]

MG511 said:

Just been looking on the Ernest Jones sale thread, went to the site and found this, similar looking but much cheaper http://www.ernestjones.co.uk/webstore/d/6746683/ro...

Nice spot. Looks like a decent watch for the price, but have similar concerns to the OP - without wanting to sound like a pauper, I'd hope a £130 watch would last quite a long time. Most Rotary threads on here seem to be about how they're ripping of other styles, but little about quality or reliability - any opinions, or would I be better paying a little more on something like that Tissot PRC200?

[MG511]

I agree, I'd expect a £130 watch to be good quality and to last. Rotary are a long established brand who, in my view, have cheapened themselves with their recent 'rip off' range. However, they are usually £100 watches recuced to £50 in Argos, that is a £300 watch reduced to £119 so I expect it is very good quality. I have 3 Rotary watches (all from the automatic 'Editions' range) and I think they are excellent quality for the price.

[blindswelledrat]

MG511 said:

I agree, I'd expect a £130 watch to be good quality and to last. .

Are you from the 1930's?

[MG511]

blindswelledrat said:

MG511 said:

I agree, I'd expect a £130 watch to be good quality and to last. .

Are you from the 1930's?

No, 1966. A 'fashion brand' watch for £130 will be cr@p, but I'd expect a Seiko or Rotary to be decent.

[vtecstu]

Awesome - cheers guys. Maybe a celebratory / commiseratory purchase after the football...!

[Al Wyn]

Ive got a couple of CWs myself and bought one for the better half earlier in the year. The strap had a minor fault and resulted in it coming occasionally loose and then falling from her wrist and then being kicked across the floor whilst leaving a theatre. As a result it ended up with quite a few scratches. Contacted them via email they asked for me to return at their expense emailled when it arrived with them and again as soon as it had been inspected and then went on to replace with a brand new watch. Top customer service from CW. My other have kept perfect time and a couple of people who have looked at mine went on to buy one. hth.

[ShadownINja]

Al Wyn said:

Ive got a couple of CWs myself and bought one for the better half earlier in the year. The strap had a minor fault and resulted in it coming occasionally loose and then falling from her wrist and then being kicked across the floor whilst leaving a theatre. As a result it ended up with quite a few scratches. Contacted them via email they asked for me to return at their expense emailled when it arrived with them and again as soon as it had been inspected and then went on to replace with a brand new watch. Top customer service from CW. My other have kept perfect time and a couple of people who have looked at mine went on to buy one. hth.

Wow. That is good service. They coulda said you were trying to pull a fast one after doing something stupid.

[TuxRacer]

I'd bought three CWs this year by the end of February. Since then I've been so confused as to if I like the design of the C70 that I haven't bought another. Very happy with the others though.