C3 Malvern Corax Edition - A detailed review.

[bp1]

I received my C3 Corax edition (leather strap version) on Thursday, here are my initial thoughts.

As usual, the package that arrives the day after ordering defies the paltry price tag. A classy looking outer box conceals the reassuringly hefty watch box which is beautifully finished throughout. On opening the box, it's almost as if it's been custom designed just for my watch. The cream interior contrasts beautifully with the black strap, dial and case of the C3, and the hands and numerals glimmer in unison with the printed silver CW name and logo on the underside of the lid. The usual paperwork, instruction manual and polishing cloth finish off the impressive package. The watch of course, is already showing the correct time and date when it arrives.

Before I get to the watch, I should point out that I ordered this due to the seemingly low price of just £120 (I later realised this was reduced from £180 but this wasn't stated on the old website, it looked like the regular price). I also had the 10% discount code giving me a final price of £108. I was never really that excited by this model on 'paper' and the photos on the website were all but non-existent, but at the price I could get it for it looked like it was worth a punt (and I always had the 60:60 to fall back on). Anyway, onto the watch itself....

To my surprise, there are actually three different finishes of the black IPK coating applied to the 40mm case. The bezel, the upper surface of the lugs and the side of the case between the lugs are all highly polished - this is absolutely flawless and looks stunning. This may have been too much though if applied all over, so the sides of the case are a brushed version of the finish giving a duller finish with just a slight satin effect - again the result is impeccable. The case back is different again and is hard to describe, - not as highly polished as the bezel, but not brushed like the sides. On the right side of the case are the signed screw in crown and chrono pushers, all in the polished IPK coating. The overall effect of the different finishes is breathtaking, and I really can't get over the quality at this point.

The black dial is set on two levels with a slightly raised outer circle, both parts of the dial have a very subtle circular pattern to them and a slight satin finish. The outer part of the dial is set with printed minute markers, applied mirror finish hour markers (lume hour markers at 12, 3, 6 &9) and applied numerals in the same finish as the hour markers. The 4 o'clock numeral is omitted, and is replaced with a polished triangle marker which points to the date window. Hour numerals at 12, 3, 6 & 9 are slightly larger than the others. The inner section of the dial contains the CW logo and name printed in silver, and 3 sub-dials; small seconds, chronograph minutes, and chronograph tenths / hours (dual purpose dial, I'll cover this late). The sub-dials have printed markers / numerals, and have there own circular pattern finish within the sub-dial. They also appear to be set slightly lower in the dial again - this along with the circular pattern makes them distinct without any need for a surround. There is also a small circular date window at 4 o'clock which does have a small polished bezel surround. The dial finish itself is again flawless, and the satin finish with the different circular patterns give some lovely effects as it picks up light differently around the dial - but it's all very very subtle and never distracts. The date wheel would have been nicer if it had been black with a white font, but it's very clear to see and is perfectly centered.

The hands are all silver and of a highly polished / mirror finish, and all except the chrono second hand are lumed. The length of the hands is perfect with the chrono seconds reaching right across to the end of the minute / second markers at the edge of the dial, the minute hand is very slightly shorter reaching half way along the markers. The hour hand is shorter still and reaches to the outer edge of the inner section of the dial where it almost meets the hour numerals - so is as long as you'd want it to be.

The dial and hands are covered by a perfect sapphire crystal that has been given an AR coating with a very slight blue tint, this can sometimes be seen but only at certain angles in certain lights.

The standard non-alligator leather strap is not too shiny with just a slight sheen finish and fit's nicely between the 20mm lugs. It tapers to 18mm at to a deployment clasp which I'd like to have seen the finished with the IPK coating rather than the polished stainless steel, but it's no big deal. The clasp itself performs fine and the strap is surprisingly supple straight out of the box.

To operate the chronograph, a push of top pusher starts the timing and instantly the 1/10 second hand quickly glides smoothly around the sub-dial at 6. When it arrives back at the top to mark the first full second of timing the second hand advances and this carries on the same for the first 30 seconds. At this point the 1/10 dial stops moving but is still recording, and the minute marker at 9 advances by 1/2 minute whilst the second hand continues as normal. Another press of the top pusher will stop the timing, and the 1/10 hand will advance to show the actual number of tenths recorded. Timing can then be resumed with another push of the top pusher, or reset using the lower pusher - all hands return clockwise to zero at high speed if they have recorded. The chronograph also features split or lap times by using the lower pusher when timing is in operation. After 30 minutes of timing, tenths of seconds are no longer recorded, the 1/10 dial becomes an hour counter and the hand advances to show the number of hours recorded so far (half way between the 0 and 1 at this point) and then continues to advance with the total time recorded. I'm no expert in chronographs, but it works really well and all the hands reset perfectly to zero. I've not had a chronograph that records tenths before, and I find watching the 1/10 hand spinning smoothly round at high speed incredibly mesmerising!

I've gone into a lot of detail, and have been very impressed with the quality and finish of the individual parts of the watch, but this is only half the story.....

The combination of all the intricate detail that has gone into the design and execution of this watch gives an absolutely stunning overall result. The dial shimmers in sunlight giving off different effects from the various parts of the dial, it then becomes dark and subdued in the shadows. The polished numerals change colour with just the slightest of wrist movements, shining brightly at times and becoming almost hidden at others, or reflecting the colours of the surroundings. Sometimes a flash of blue will dart across the crystal to remind you of the AR coating that for the most part is hidden away. The different finishes of the case combine to form a watch that has a classic elegance with a contemporary twist. It looks great with a suit but will never look out of place with jeans and trainers, and will always have cost less than either!

I'm blown away by this watch as you can probably tell, but you'll also know from my other reviews that I tell it as it is - so you can be assured this is no 'fan boy' review. For the price, nothing can even get close in my opinion - this is a seriously impressive watch.

There are some pics in the gallery if you haven't already seen them, but they really don't do the watch justice.

BP

[lamppo_the_GasFitter]

WOW - That is a detailed review, the corax C3 is a great looking watch.

[downer]

Excellent review. Thanks for posting.

I fully agree with you that this watch is incredibly well made for the price (particlarly the current price). Many of the details you mention are also things I've noticed about my C3, which I am also very pleased with.

Some people dismiss the C3 because it is a quartz watch. That's fine, but for the money, I doubt there are many better watches out there. It's all in the detail.

Again, thanks for the comprehensive review. It almost makes me want to buy another one!

[alphajet]

Great review, I am almost tempted. When CWL make an automatic version I will be very happy.

[Kip]

Excellent review. I am very impressed at the detail you have put into this. I agree that for a quartz, it is a lot of watch.

Well done...enjoy!

[Uncle Bill]

I appreciate all the hard work you put into that and I enjoyed reading it...thanks...UB

[Rick]

A very impressive and informative review,thank you so much for taking the time and i hope you spend many good hours together