Bel Canto Phoenix
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Discussion

LotusJas

Original Poster:

1,363 posts

248 months

Friday 13th October 2023
quotequote all
Bel Canto Phoenix

I am delighted to report that CW have agreed that I can share 1 image of the prototype Phoenix publicly.

Please note that this is a pre-production prototype on loan to me, and is the only watch in existence at present. It is also not accurately representative of the final production watch.

Note that the 99 limited bespoke watches are expected in late Q1 2024. The project actually commenced in December 2022 i.e. that's when I commenced discussions with CW. So we are certainly not queue jumping other Bel Canto customers.

Please don't contact Christopher Ward to request a Phoenix, as these sold out immediately on release, over six months ago.






I also attach a youtube video which appeared today, as it shows me wearing this prototype. Richard, of RichReviews, also wore the same watch for his parts to camera.






Details of the Bel Canto Phoenix

https://thedriversunion.com/BelCanto.pdf

gregs656

11,805 posts

198 months

Saturday 14th October 2023
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Nice.

I don’t own a CW but I am pleased something like this has got them on the radar. The people involved in the company that I’ve spoken with all seem like good people.

tangerine_sedge

5,861 posts

235 months

Saturday 14th October 2023
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It's a beautiful thing, especially in that colour, but I can't bring myself to buy one for the simple reason that I struggle to read the time on the dial, which is a pretty fundamental element of watch design. The hands seem to get 'lost' on what is quite a busy face, it took me a few seconds to find the hour hand on the image you posted for example.

Although, using advanced man-maths I can tell the time from the 'bell' hmmmm.... smile

gregs656

11,805 posts

198 months

Saturday 14th October 2023
quotequote all
tangerine_sedge said:
It's a beautiful thing, especially in that colour, but I can't bring myself to buy one for the simple reason that I struggle to read the time on the dial, which is a pretty fundamental element of watch design. The hands seem to get 'lost' on what is quite a busy face, it took me a few seconds to find the hour hand on the image you posted for example.

Although, using advanced man-maths I can tell the time from the 'bell' hmmmm.... smile
It amazes me how many people I know who are serious about watches that don’t care about legibility.

LotusJas

Original Poster:

1,363 posts

248 months

Sunday 15th October 2023
quotequote all
gregs656 said:
Nice.

I don’t own a CW but I am pleased something like this has got them on the radar. The people involved in the company that I’ve spoken with all seem like good people.
Yes, they are very nice people to deal with.

LotusJas

Original Poster:

1,363 posts

248 months

Sunday 15th October 2023
quotequote all
tangerine_sedge said:
It's a beautiful thing, especially in that colour, but I can't bring myself to buy one for the simple reason that I struggle to read the time on the dial, which is a pretty fundamental element of watch design. The hands seem to get 'lost' on what is quite a busy face, it took me a few seconds to find the hour hand on the image you posted for example.

Although, using advanced man-maths I can tell the time from the 'bell' hmmmm.... smile
I know what you mean, and I need to focus to read the time on my Azzurro.

This is why the hands are black on the Phoenix.

In real life, it's actually a lot easier to read the time at a glance on the Phoenix.

LotusJas

Original Poster:

1,363 posts

248 months

Thursday 19th October 2023
quotequote all
I am pleased to report that CW have agreed that I can share 2 further images of the prototype Phoenix publicly.

Please note that this is a pre-production prototype on loan to me, and is the only watch in existence at present.

Note that the 99 limited bespoke watches are expected in late Q1 2024. The project actually commenced in December 2022 i.e. that's when I commenced discussions with CW. So we are absolutely not queue jumping other Bel Canto customers.

Please don't contact Christopher Ward to request a Phoenix, as these sold out immediately on release, over six months ago.

Those with an allocation will already have received a much more detailed update today.





Bob_Defly

4,871 posts

248 months

Thursday 19th October 2023
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Meh. I think the light blue looks better.


x5tuu

12,530 posts

204 months

Friday 20th October 2023
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Have to say I do like CW and have a handful of their watches … the Bel Canto does nothing for me though - it’s a very marmite device IMO

redrabbit

1,806 posts

182 months

Friday 20th October 2023
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x5tuu said:
Have to say I do like CW and have a handful of their watches … the Bel Canto does nothing for me though - it’s a very marmite device IMO
It does seem all a bit unresolved. Unfortunately, once you see the goofy grinning face in the dial, you can't unsee it.

Ninjin

1,322 posts

92 months

Friday 20th October 2023
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Never had any interest in CW until the Bel Canto. The release model in deep blue is stunning and I would have purchased one, however I was too late to the party. The prices being asked on the secondary market at crazy or I would have it in the collection. For me, the other current colours don't do much for me.

ZesPak

25,676 posts

213 months

Friday 20th October 2023
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Ninjin said:
Never had any interest in CW until the Bel Canto.
Same here.

Although I have to agree with the "marmite" part for me, it would be another one of my "novelty" watches.
Legibility is a big part for me, as I notice I keep gravitating towards watches I can actually read the time on.
I think making the face where the hands are actually full instead of having it an open ring would have helped a lot there.

LotusJas

Original Poster:

1,363 posts

248 months

Friday 20th October 2023
quotequote all
ZesPak said:
Legibility is a big part for me, as I notice I keep gravitating towards watches I can actually read the time on.
I think making the face where the hands are actually full instead of having it an open ring would have helped a lot there.
The Phoenix has black hands, and is easily readable at a glance.

It's not going to compete with a dive watch for legibility however smile