Another Bel Canto thread: this one's for the non-owners, the unbelievers

[JasH]

We are all different

I don't find the BC at all easy to read, but that's not what I bought it for. I have plenty of extremely legible watches, including my CW 765LT edition.

I love the BC so much I am planning to buy another one this year in a different colour. It really is that stunning to look at, even if it didn't chime.

I do hear the chime more times than not though, and it's louder than I expected.

[albionphoto]

I don't think it's any secret now that I don't think the Bel Canto is very legible (hint, read my review ). I don't think that matters too much though. The Bel Canto isn't a watch that fits with my normal buying pattern but it is a lovely, lovely thing. The chime is loud enough to be heard under most circumstances and is the focal point of the design. I don't know if the Bel Canto will be part of my normal rotation of watches but it will certainly be a high days and holidays piece. It is very special. Very, very special.

[tikkathree]

I don't think it's any secret now that I don't think the Bel Canto is very legible (hint, read my review ). I don't think that matters too much though. The Bel Canto isn't a watch that fits with my normal buying pattern but it is a lovely, lovely thing. The chime is loud enough to be heard under most circumstances and is the focal point of the design. I don't know if the Bel Canto will be part of my normal rotation of watches but it will certainly be a high days and holidays piece. It is very special. Very, very special.

Mark, thank you, that's a good analysis. I think one way through the maze for me would be to buy the Bel Canto, get it home and on the wrist and see how I feel about it and then, and only then, identify a short straw watch or two in order to balance the books.

[albionphoto]

One of the consequences of the Bel Canto effect (Thanks Kip) is the confusion between hype and marmite. This isn't a watch for everyone and isn't a watch for every occasion. The hype seems to have obscured the taste of the marmite but long term ownership would probably bring that to the forefront. I don't like marmite, btw.

Now that the series production watches have been announced you might want to put your name on the list. My guess is that by the time you move to the sharp end of the queue and it's time to get your credit card out you might have a better idea of whether you like this brand of marmite.

[MichaelMD]

It's a neat watch, but not $4,000 neat

I also find being able to read the time is high on my list of important functions for a watch.

If this was a <$1,000 watch I'd be all over it but...

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[Noush]

I think this is the most interesting BC discussion we've had. It's brought to the fore some of the most basic reasons we are all 'into watches'...as many and varied as those are.
For me, soon as I saw it I wanted one (LE), just SO fascinating, but being on the wrong side of the planet, they were gone before I could.
And then I could again, and in the cold light of day I didn't.

The principal reason for me is the size and I don't suppose it could be smaller. Being of the slim-wristed kind, I already have a couple of 'full-sized' watches, mechanical chronographs, and that's enough. But if that was NOT the case, would I have gone for it? It is and will be a CW icon and that's nearly enough. But I think CW is capable of, and will, make more icons (the Concept was too big also). There is the slated 'big release' in May time, and the SH21.2 in the offing. Oh, the anticipation

There's folks who are going to get a lot of joy from the BC, and it's brought a focus on the brand that's priceless. For both of those reasons I love it. But both wallet and watch box say not this one, not now. So non-owner, but a believer. Of sorts.

[Martylaa]

I’m struggling to see why this watch is getting so much love, I really am?

[JasperCat]

^^^ I think it is one of those where are you either get it or you don’t. Or perhaps to use a more apposite tense of the verb, you either got it or you didn’t.

[FarmerGiles]

I'm not new to watches, but I am to C Ward. Spent alot of time looking at their models and the bel Canto is amazing and celevr, but not for me personally. it's certainly a marmite watch but fair play to the brand for achieving success and demand

[Caller]

To be brutally honest, there is nothing groundbreaking about the bel canto at all.

What is groundbreaking is that a company such as CW delivered it. I say delivered, as I am not sure how much of it they produced. But thats a minor point and not in any way a criticism.

For the dial, I like the top half, but not the bottom half. The compromise was in everything else, hence the selitta movement and no doubt bits and bobs from further afield, to keep the cost down.

And according to the bumph put out by CW, this is the future. Their core models, plus the release of showstoppers from time to time. But will the showstoppers always be so warmly received? Will you guys and other fans keep buying at the heavier price of such showstoppers?

Because for all the talk and enthusiasm here and the general perception of CW as an improved product, a view widely accepted, I think, you had some noise about this watch elsewhere and then everyone moved on.

A bigger question, and possibly one for elsewhere, having noticed the shift in emphasis on the website from 3 Brits in a boat, to the emphasis on the Swiss being the absolute pinnacle of watchmaking, is whether is due course, the new logo might be the death rattle of CW being an anglo-swiss company? The Swiss have a track record of swallowing up brands from elsewhere whether going concerns, or not. Think Panerai, Arnold & Son, Graham, Speake-Marin and others.

[ralfybaby]

I have been following CW for many years and finally bought a couple on last year's January sale. I am pleased for CW as a company that the BC is getting so much traction in the watch media but it is not a watch that appeals to me. I appreciate the watch making tour the force that it represents for a maker like CW but I like watches that have a practical application. Readability is right up there for me, that is why I prefer a Speedmaster over a Daytona.
I have no use for a BC and will gladly pass up the opportunity to buy one to the next person.
Meanwhile I will keep enjoying my C65 GMTs and my Worldtimer.
A C60 diver likely to follow at some time

[tikkathree]

I have been following CW for many years and finally bought a couple on last year's January sale. I am pleased for CW as a company that the BC is getting so much traction in the watch media but it is not a watch that appeals to me. I appreciate the watch making tour the force that it represents for a maker like CW but I like watches that have a practical application. Readability is right up there for me, that is why I prefer a Speedmaster over a Daytona.
I have no use for a BC and will gladly pass up the opportunity to buy one to the next person.
Meanwhile I will keep enjoying my C65 GMTs and my Worldtimer.
A C60 diver likely to follow at some time

No shortage of options there

[JasH]

The principal reason for me is the size and I don't suppose it could be smaller. Being of the slim-wristed kind, I already have a couple of 'full-sized' watches, mechanical chronographs, and that's enough. But if that was NOT the case, would I have gone for it? It is and will be a CW icon and that's nearly enough. But I think CW is capable of, and will, make more icons (the Concept was too big also).

I don't mind big watches, but have a preference for circa 40mm. My biggest is a 44mm Offshore.

I mention this for context, as I personally found the Concept to be too chunky and needlessly big through being in a dive case. It was also too thick. I never really gelled with it on my wrist.

The Bel Canto however is super comfortable, lightweight and feels just the right size. It's only real flaw is an excusable one, given its design and beauty: legibility.

[Richard D]

CW got the hands wrong with the C900 SP MKI. Eventually they made a change to the design but only after the issue was highlighted on the forum. Existing owners were offered to have the hands replaced from silver to black to improve the legibility. Perhaps CW should consider doing something similar with the Bel Canto.

[JasperCat]

CW got the hands wrong with the C900 SP MKI. Eventually they made a change to the design but only after the issue was highlighted on the forum. Existing owners were offered to have the hands replaced from silver to black to improve the legibility. Perhaps CW should consider doing something similar with the Bel Canto.

Not strictly correct Richard.

As far as I am aware CW changed the hands on the C900 SPC (there was no MkI / MkII) for a vocal group of some half a dozen CW Forum members.

The remaining watches of the 250 piece LE production run had silver hands as designed.

The later Gold and Rose Gold LEs had hands in those colours.

I doubt that CW will do anything to change the hands on the #BelCanto.

Guy

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