Still solidly in the dislike camp due to the logo or lack thereof. The watch itself is less than the sum of its parts, in my view. It’s all well and good on paper but somehow, to me, I can’t get around to loving it. I have similar feelings about the C60 MK3. There is no “one element” that’s wrong about it, it just doesn’t work completely as an entity. Many disagree with this, I’m aware. (all hail the MK2!...)

If it had the “christopher ward” at 12, I’d be in the “meh” camp. It’s fine. But “fine” doesn’t sell a watch – not to me, at least. I have plenty of watches. I need something that really stands out in some ways and the Aquitaine doesn’t cut it. Also, I despise the name. The story is so far-fetched. Do you think that if Mr. Cousteau had some connection with Marseille or Lille that they’d make a watch with that name or a whole line with that name? There is no way. It was chosen since it’s a retro inspired dive watch, hence the need to evoke images of the sea and “olden times” and the Aqui (Aqua) taine was chosen and the story tailored to fit. I probably hate that as much as the lack of the name on the dial.

I’m definitely more of a first impressions person when it comes to watches. If I see something for the first time and think “I like that” then it either says that way, or I pick up on parts I don’t like and it fades from my consciousness but I will always look on it favourably even if I’d not buy one.

If I don’t like a watch, I’m not sure I’ve ever really come round. I may grow less negative, but they don’t become something I really like in the future.

There is a middle ground where I’m ambivalent to something and when I actually see one it changes my opinion for the better or worse. However if I don’t like a watch it will possibly always remain that way and afraid the Aquitaine falls into this category for me.

The logo is sitting in the ambivalence camp though. Don’t hate it but don’t love it, I suspect it will tread this middle path for some time and possibly always be something that doesn’t really bother or excite me.

On the 'Aquitaine in a word' thread I offered 'OK'. I think I'm still firmly in that camp. I've heard it said couple of times that it is less than the sum of it's parts and I think that is it.

I don't think it's the logo, I've long since given up having a firm opinion on that after I swore I would never EVER by a CW with the word mark at 9. I currently have three. I've been looking forward to the Swish coming for a long time and now I see it, I don't like it as much as I thought I would, but I don't dislike it enough to stop me buying. For me, it just lacks the wow factor. Usually real life pictures make me like a watch even more, I spend so long on here and CWE that familiarity pushes me from like to love and from love to buy, but not this time.

But that's alright, I can't like everything CW make and they have made me say 'wow' twelve times already with another 'wow' potentially incoming!

Macdaz wrote: ↑Tue May 17, 2022 8:07 pm
But that's alright, I can't like everything CW make...

A significant point, and one that we ofttimes tend to forget.

I used to feel like a bear with a sore head when they made a watch I didn't like, or else didn't make the watch I wanted them to make. After acquiring a bit more commonsense I explored instead the world of (...drum roll...) OTHER BRANDS!

I went for a couple of years with NO CWs!

Nowadays, if I like something I might consider it, but if not there are plenty of nice things out there.

strapline wrote: ↑Tue May 17, 2022 3:11 pm Yep, that's the question I'm posing, and it relates entirely to the new Aquitaine releases. So, what are the views now that the dust has settled a little? It seemed that much of the initial discussion focussed on the complete omission of the wording Christopher Ward from the dial. In many ways this seemed to outshine all of the other enhancements that the new range offered. You've probably revisited a version or a couple of versions from the range on numerous occasions now; are you finding that a model has ignited the touch paper, perhaps altered initial reservations?

let's hear some current thinking! It'll be interesting to see where people lie now.

Des

i'm sticking with my initial sentiment that as much as i like having the text off the dial...without it the watch looks way too cheap. like we watch enthusiasts are always complaining about too much text on the dial but i feel like this is the opposite. just doesn't make sense to have a modern branding with a vintage style watch, one or the other

I’m still in the same place, which is ‘ok’. I want to like it more than I do. Perhaps more real world pics and the new colour schemes will change it for me, but at the moment I’m no closer to buying one.

And I’m not fussed by the logo - swish with or without word mark are fine with me

I still prefer the C65 it replaces.

This one is just so different from what I would normally jump on, but it’s growing on me in a way that is making me think of how tired and dated some other styles are. This is something from the past, with something down the road. That’s modern, and surpassing contemporary.

It is really growing on me. Brown may just come back and take over gray again. For those of you who know home decor trends, and clothing trends, you may be following me.

jf72 wrote: ↑Tue May 17, 2022 9:02 pm i'm sticking with my initial sentiment that as much as i like having the text off the dial...without it the watch looks way too cheap. like we watch enthusiasts are always complaining about too much text on the dial but i feel like this is the opposite. just doesn't make sense to have a modern branding with a vintage style watch, one or the other

I find this a really interesting point that you're making. A juxtaposition that creates something of a dichotomy. I hadn't really thought about it, but now I'm having trouble unseeing it.

Des

The Aquitaine line is definitely growing on me. I was more than mildly intrigued, but not wildly enthusiastic. I’m still not sold on the look of the bezel. I am, however, finding both the GMT and the bronze appealing.

I’m not rushing to buy as I have been pretty watch-greedy in the last six months. Need to absorb the ones I have, and there are others I await. I’ll likely get an Aquitaine by the end of the year.

NationOfLaws wrote: ↑Tue May 17, 2022 4:26 pm For what it’s worth as someone new to the brand - the Aquitaine is the first CW watch I saw and I loved it immediately. I really liked the logo and was a little disappointed to see that the lineup hadn’t adopted it more broadly since there are some other great pieces that have either both logos (overkill) or the older wordmarks that I find (personal opinion) to be a little weird or bland relative to the pieces they sit on.

So again, I’m new here and maybe that’s not the perspective you’re looking for. But it’s true that I wouldn’t be here without the Aquitaine and given the hype I’ve seen for them from YouTube reviewers, I don’t think I’m the only one who will be buying an Aquitaine as their first CW.

Great perspective.

Unfortunately there has been no warming to the range from me.........in fact, if anything, they've become more 'meh' as I've seen more pictures. I may prefer the watch in person to photos (and I'm sure I'll try one in time) but there is no 'wow factor' at all with the range. I've 4 C65's - 2 Super Compressors, a bronze ombre and a chronograph - they all have something about them that make them stand out and feel more than the sum of their parts. I just don't see that in the new watches. Hopefully some future releases will change all that.

On the logo, I think 'logo only' looks great on the newer Ocean Blue Super Compressor. For some reason, it doesn't look so great on the Aquitaine.

Maybe I've just been spoilt by the likes of the C60 Concept. You can't love them all.

Something to mull over. Click on the image and zoom in for a better look

StrappedUp wrote:Something to mull over. Click on the image and zoom in for a better look

Yeah, that I don’t mind. Still not crazy about the choice of font but I like that a lot better than branding at nine and noon.