-LONG POST, LOTS OF PIX-

I've had my Malvern Chronograph for just over 48 hours and what follows is my initial review.

I work for a Jeweler in Los Angeles, and part of what attracted me to the Malvern Chronograph was how sleek it looked, despite the fact that I could destroy several of them for the price of even an ugly watch of with similar features. I like to always wear a watch, but I find myself constantly worrying about it. What the Malvern Chrono offers is a luxury watch that is truely worry free.

While I generally perfer automatic watches, there is always room in a watch collection for a quartz watch - if just to set the automatics by.

I've also got to give a big Thank You to Christopher Ward for being so responsive on his emails. If you've got a question about his watches - ask this guy! seriously!

Now onto,
Number 182 - arrived Saturday - Out of the box:



I like attention to detial right from the shiny CW logo on the shipping box.



The packaging is more what you would expect for a high-end watch, complete with CW logo'd polishing cloth.
The 60/60 guarantee is really signed and really stamped by a real person. A nice touch these days.

On to, THE WATCH:

Set to London Time.

Nicely wrapped for protection:



I had to remove links from the stainless band to fit my wrist. The pins are simple push outs.
And set to LA time.


I also tried on a leather band (a size too small - else where in the forums it notes that an 18mm band will fit the Malvern Chrono - but this 18mm is too small. I measured the watch and it is more like 20mm)



Here is a shot of the Malvern Chrono's lume. I wasn't exacly sure where the lume would be, so it was a nice surprise - sharp, easy to read, and nice and bright.


I was actually a little disappointed that the watch band was so highly polished. The pictures on the website make it look like the band is bead-blasted. I think a such a reflective band detracts from such an outstandingly sharp watch - it makes it look like it's trying to be overly flashy - see if you agree:

Compairson of the Malvern and a 16610 Submariner:

I think it looks better right away on a leather band:


The lume is quite bright. even when compared to the Sub's.



So overally, I LOVE the Malvern Chrono, however I really dislike the finish on the band.

Not to worry, I work for a Jeweler!

Rather than bead-blasting, I descided to go with a brushed finish. I may change this to a bead-blasted finish at some point, but I think it looks much stronger already.





As you can see I taped off the middle link containing the clasp. I think this helps to match the watch to the band. It would be nice if the engraving on the band was a little thicker so that you could change the finish without risking destroying the logo.

I snapped this last bunch real quick at work today, I'm going to try to shoot some more on black showing the new brushed finish next to the Sub - they look HOT together.

THANKS CHRIS!!!

Ian, awsome review and pics. I love the leather strap. Really a great choice for this model. I think I prefer the brushed braclet also, good job and thanks for sharing.

Warmly,

El Tiempo

Nice work Ian! I love what you did to the bracelet, the original finish was way to shiny for me. Complements!

Nice! Both the refinished bracelet and strap look great! I agree it was a little too "bling bling" at first.

Great review!
The watch looks really nice on its new strap, good job
I still think Chris should start making these chronographs, or ones that look like them, with automatic movement. They would sell great IMHO.

Well Ian, have fun with your CW

Great review and really helpful. I am really impressed with how it looks on the strap and your choice gives it a slightly vintage vibe I didn't expect. Interesting how too much polish gets distracting.

Thanks!

Warhol wrote:Great review!
The watch looks really nice on its new strap, good job
I still think Chris should start making these chronographs, or ones that look like them, with automatic movement. They would sell great IMHO.

Well Ian, have fun with your CW

I agree... I think the part that is holding most portential buyers back is the quartz movement.

Ianroy, what would you guess your company would charge to make a bracelet modification like that....brushed? I didn't know a jeweler could do that, so I was just wondering how much it would set someone back.

Thanks.

Ian I am not tending towards the blue dial in first instance. But I think you did an outstanding job on your watch and band. I think you did an outstanding job on your band and watch. To my own surprise I loved the blue dial after you changed the band. I was happily surprised by it all. Great info for me aswell on the illumination part thank you !

The dial isn't blue but black... right?

You must be right I think its my mistake, one of Ian`s pics showed probably a blueisch reflection on the dial.

Ian is it possible to put up a pic with the brushed bracelet watch on your hand ?.....the other pics were extremely usefull for me to see how it all would look.

btw does anyone else also get a feel of a Cobra when looking at CW site pic of the watchband ?

Funny thing is I normally do not prefer metal bands ?.....but this looks great !