I’ve a worrying sense of déjà vu.

I ordered a Bel Canto (nero finish) when the first open series was released. After multiple updates on progress that never seemed to be achieved and many revised delivery deadlines that came and went, I eventually gave up after waiting 14 months and cancelled my order and got my deposit back.

So when the Classic version was announced along with much hype about how much production had been transformed and capacity increased I thought I’d have another go, so back in November ordered one in the oro finish for delivery in January, which seemed fine.

I’ve just had a lovely email from Mike wishing me a Happy New Year, oh, and telling me that delivery would now be in February! I wonder what’s gone wrong this time? It’s starting to sound horribly familiar.

Anyone else waiting for a Bel Canto Classic had this news?

I hope not. I ordered mine in the showroom in December (17th I think) and they seemed pretty confident about an end of Feb delivery.

I could take a delay into March but any large delays (3 months +) and I may want to use the funds on a Tudor.

Engineer wrote: ↑Fri Jan 03, 2025 1:54 pm I’ve a worrying sense of déjà vu.

I ordered a Bel Canto (nero finish) when the first open series was released. After multiple updates on progress that never seemed to be achieved and many revised delivery deadlines that came and went, I eventually gave up after waiting 14 months and cancelled my order and got my deposit back.

So when the Classic version was announced along with much hype about how much production had been transformed and capacity increased I thought I’d have another go, so back in November ordered one in the oro finish for delivery in January, which seemed fine.

I’ve just had a lovely email from Mike wishing me a Happy New Year, oh, and telling me that delivery would now be in February! I wonder what’s gone wrong this time? It’s starting to sound horribly familiar.

Anyone else waiting for a Bel Canto Classic had this news?

There's a black version on eBay right now.

Oh, so no one else getting this delay then? I guess CW reckoned I needed to be punished for bailing out after just 14 months the last time I ordered one!

Engineer wrote: ↑Mon Jan 06, 2025 8:47 pm Oh, so no one else getting this delay then? I guess CW reckoned I needed to be punished for bailing out after just 14 months the last time I ordered one!

. . . . . or maybe it's because we, as Forum members, have already got our Bel Cantos, so haven't got a Classic in Oro on pre-order.

Guy

Some very welcome (but slightly baffling) news this morning - apparently my Bel Canto will be delivered today! So having been told it was delayed by a month it's turning up as promised. I've always thought that CW's emails were randomly generated!

Just for information, I had an email message from Mike France today (the corporate communication email address rather than his personal one) giving apologies for further delays of the Bel Canto Classic deliveries to the end of April, noting this isn't the first change of date. An extension of the 60/60 to a 72 month movement guarantee (I believe I'm right in saying it's the second "60" which is the guarantee, so 60/72?) and a complimentary service in that period as well are provided to show appreciation for customers' patience.

The very apologetic tone of the email suggests some people may have been waiting for quite a while. I had only placed an order last week with an end of March pre-order timeline. So this delay is no issue whatsoever for me, and the compensation measures above are unnecessary but very much appreciated in my personal context. Not quite clear what is causing the (further) delays, but a nice touch from CW regardless.

I'm a bit surprised to hear of delays in supplying the Bel Canto. I was watching Sky Cinema last Saturday morning (1st March at about 10.45) and there was a short advert for the BC range before the film. I assumed from this that supply issues must have been sorted if CW are spending on adverts.

exHowfener wrote: ↑Fri Mar 07, 2025 6:01 pm I'm a bit surprised to hear of delays in supplying the Bel Canto.

Myself as well, particularly as much of the focus on the Classic’s release was improvements in supply chain.

timepieces_and_bags wrote: ↑Fri Mar 07, 2025 6:30 pm

exHowfener wrote: ↑Fri Mar 07, 2025 6:01 pm I'm a bit surprised to hear of delays in supplying the Bel Canto.

Myself as well, particularly as much of the focus on the Classic’s release was improvements in supply chain.

It is a new dial using a new process. Sometimes in manufacturing things don't scale the way you think they will but get sorted in the end. I don't have any inside knowledge just taking a swag based on the released details.