C1 Bel Canto Preview

Didier.O · Post by **Didier.O** » Wed Nov 02, 2022 11:48 am

As I said after the preview (in far fewer details), I hope this type of craftsmanship, dare and positioning fuels more references in the near future (not necessarily smth that takes years in R&D and/or prototyping). This watch isnt for me (mainly the complication, but not a fan of its size either), however it's very competitively priced, and I wouldnt hesitate paying that kind of money for smth that really elevates the brand. I think CW is ready for these types of watches at a moderate scale.

Noush · Post by **Noush** » Wed Nov 02, 2022 12:22 pm

Thanks for that link #OllyW!
Lovely discussion. I'm still stunned....

hsukirk · Post by **hsukirk** » Wed Nov 02, 2022 2:31 pm

OllyW wrote: ↑Wed Nov 02, 2022 10:48 am Mike France has said .......... a second colour will probably be added. He talks about it in this video...

https://youtu.be/4QlOrfvrQ3I?t=902

I def look forward to green one.

JAFO · Post by **JAFO** » Wed Nov 02, 2022 2:40 pm

I was considering replying to this thread, and also deliberating starting a new thread, about CW in general, and the Bel Canto in particular. I have a couple of drafts saved but I am holding back. I am surprised this is a total sell out in less than a day, but the fact that it did sell out so quickly provided a lot of food for thought. Sorry if this is a bit cryptic.

albionphoto · Post by **albionphoto** » Wed Nov 02, 2022 6:03 pm

JAFO wrote: ↑Wed Nov 02, 2022 2:40 pm I was considering replying to this thread, and also deliberating starting a new thread, about CW in general, and the Bel Canto in particular. I have a couple of drafts saved but I am holding back. I am surprised this is a total sell out in less than a day, but the fact that it did sell out so quickly provided a lot of food for thought. Sorry if this is a bit cryptic.

The question of CW's future given that the value (< $1,000) space is getting increasingly busy and there's a lot of competition with micro-brands who can move more quickly and use social media better is an interesting one. Retro and homage designs may also have a limited audience - how many Blancpain 1953 clones can the market bear? Unique, differentiated watches at a higher price point may be the future. Not necessarily at the C1 Bel Canto price point but above the current average price is one way CW could go. The introduction of the new line next year will be interesting as a harbinger of CW's potential future.

Didier.O · Post by **Didier.O** » Wed Nov 02, 2022 6:51 pm

albionphoto wrote: ↑Wed Nov 02, 2022 6:03 pm Unique, differentiated watches at a higher price point may be the future. Not necessarily at the C1 Bel Canto price point but above the current average price is one way CW could go. The introduction of the new line next year will be interesting as a harbinger of CW's potential future.

Agreed, and Im REALLY looking forward to where this might lead. My only reservation at this point is movements. Sellitas can only take you so far and might not justify hefty price increases. As far as Im concerned that's the reason Im heavily looking into Tudor's MT or Oris' Caliber 400 for my next piece. Awesome power reserve, chronometer type mvts with room to manufacture relatively slim and wearable pieces.

WileyECoyote · Post by **WileyECoyote** » Wed Nov 02, 2022 7:54 pm

Pretty amazing release & horological accomplishment for a for a small company like Christopher Ward. So happy for them that their years of hard work & diligence paid off with a hit that sold out in record time. I was sitting in a hospital waiting room yesterday morning before my Achilles’ tendon surgery when I checked the CW website for news of the Bel Canto release. It made my day to see such a beautiful new watch before going through something like that. Obviously, I was a little preoccupied for the rest of the day & believe it may have sold out by the time that my wife & I made the two hour drive home after the surgery. This morning as I recovered at home, I pulled up YouTube videos & watched the interview with Mike France. He told of one visitor to their showroom that broke down in tears after seeing the C1 Bel Canto because he never believed that such a watch would be made accessible to those of us with more modest means. That has been my general feeling ever since discovering the CW brand about 4 years ago. I now own watches of the quality that I never dreamed within my financial reach. All of my dealings with CW have been good & I have always received what I paid for. So, the question now is with initial limited edition release in the blue color way, what might be next? Mike hinted that a successful launch might nudge them to release the model in another color. If so, what might that color be for those of us that missed out? Maybe a green in sunray finish?

Delmar

Gar787 · Post by **Gar787** » Wed Nov 02, 2022 8:36 pm

Richard D wrote: ↑Tue Nov 01, 2022 2:19 pm I first saw the Bel Canto back in October and I can honestly say I wish I hadn’t. It’s been frustrating reading all the posts knowing that not all expectations were to be realised, it’s not a minute repeater. It’s roots are in the CW JJ01 (SW-200 Mod).

My first impression was favourable, probably because I too was caught in the hype. That soon evaporate when the watch was handed to me, to put it simply the design is too ‘industrial’ for my liking. The website images are flattering, the blue dial is not as vibrant. The Bel Canto follows the Concept, beautifully executed but, IMHO, not attractive. The sub dial doesn’t help, the absence of a second hand, no logo and what I can best describe as an inaudible note doesn’t help. I could only hear it when pressed up to my ear. Pardon the pun, it doesn’t strike me as a dress watch. However, I wish CW every success and I’m sure the Bel Canto will receive favourable reviews.

Spot on…I don’t get it. A partially skeletonised SW-200 in Ti that goes ‘ding’ every hour for £3k? Not for me.

Bahnstormer_vRS · Post by **Bahnstormer_vRS** » Thu Nov 03, 2022 1:59 am

We've rather gone beyond the 'Preview' of the Bel Canto as CW had their Official Launch Party for the C1 Bel Canto this evening in Holland Park, W London (with a recital of a number of Bel Canto Arias) which I was fortunate to be invited to and able to attend, scheduled some months back with the official launch due tomorrow, Thursday.

However, at the last minute (only a week or so ago) CW got the opportunity for some press coverage / advertising space for yesterday, 1st November.

They were able to bring the launch forward accordingly, and as we know, much to CW's surprise, the Bel Canto SOLD OUT in 6-8 hours but the Launch Party went ahead and became a celebration party instead.

I was naturally able to take a few photos which, due to the awkward and low level lighting do not show the Bel Canto off in its full glory, and full glory it is too as it's a magnificent and stunning watch. Nevertheless here they are;-

Some fun facts or snippets of information that I was able to glean from the evening;-

1. There will be a follow up version, already in the pipeline, for release in Spring 2023.

2. I confirmed that whilst the case is Grade 5 Titanium, the bracelet is only Grade 2. However, at a quick glance one would never know the difference. 60% of watches sold have been on the bracelet.

3. On the bracelet, it is the same style/spec as the latest bracelets with extra taper, single sided screws for link removal, longer deployant clasp.

4. Whilst, not unexpectedly, on the quiet side the chime has a delightful tone to it.

5. The Vicuna leather straps are to the latest spec Vintage Oak.

6. The chime mechanism is stunning with several engaging features / touches.

7. Adrian Buchmann is very much alive and well as Head of Design for CW; we had a good chat

I met some interesting people, not least of whom are CW Challengers; Atlantic Rower, Rosalind Chaston and Conservationist & Arctic Explorer, Tom Hicks.

Guy

jkbarnes · Post by **jkbarnes** » Thu Nov 03, 2022 2:53 am

Bahnstormer_vRS wrote: ↑Thu Nov 03, 2022 1:59 am We've rather gone beyond the 'Preview' of the Bel Canto as CW had their Official Launch Party for the C1 Bel Canto this evening in Holland Park, W London (with a recital of a number of Bel Canto Arias) which I was fortunate to be invited to and able to attend,

Those pics are magnificent! The blue looks far better here than in the other photos, almost otherworldly. And the dial has a real three dimensional look to it, with the smaller dial at 12 o’clock almost looking like it’s floating above everything else. Just stunning! I think it looks best on the leather, especially the blue leather.

Thanks for sharing, Guy!

asqwerth · Post by **asqwerth** » Thu Nov 03, 2022 6:21 am

Wow! Thanks for updating us with pics and little bits of news/gossip on the event. What a privilege to have been invited - very cool.

missF · Post by **missF** » Thu Nov 03, 2022 7:04 am

Thanks guy - how lovely to share in a little bit of the joy. In the interview with Mike France that OllyW linked to the aspect of the project that absolutely captivated me was this working creative tension between the mechanics of the project and the aesthetics- both aspects equally challenging and equally important and both entwined. That to me is the joy and marvel of watches. It feels like the Bel Canto was a real passion project.

Amor Vincit Omnia · Post by **Amor Vincit Omnia** » Thu Nov 03, 2022 8:18 am

Looking at the strap, Guy…

I’m sure I saw a reference to “Vicuña leather” before the launch. This made me sit up, because the vicuña is primarily a wool animal, I believe (like the alpaca). I see that it has now been listed on the website as “Vacona” a proprietary name for an aniline leather, the name presumably derived from “vaca”. Shades of toro bravo/torro brava?

Anyway, no matter, it sounds like a great evening and you took some excellent photos given the light.

strapline · Post by **strapline** » Thu Nov 03, 2022 8:38 am

Looks like you had great evening, Guy. You managed to capture some great real world photos too. I stand by what I said initially, I think it looks superb on the blue leather. I wouldn't wear this watch on a bracelet at all. You mentioned elsewhere that CW will probably go with another limited run in the spring? No surprises there after all the investment that went in to creating the BC. I'm sure CW will see a sell out once more, and in a similar time frame..

Des

Kalli64 · Post by **Kalli64** » Thu Nov 03, 2022 9:19 am

Bahnstormer_vRS wrote: ↑Thu Nov 03, 2022 1:59 am We've rather gone beyond the 'Preview' of the Bel Canto as CW had their Official Launch Party for the C1 Bel Canto this evening in Holland Park, W London (with a recital of a number of Bel Canto Arias) which I was fortunate to be invited to and able to attend, scheduled some months back with the official launch due tomorrow, Thursday.

However, at the last minute (only a week or so ago) CW got the opportunity for some press coverage / advertising space for yesterday, 1st November.

They were able to bring the launch forward accordingly, and as we know, much to CW's surprise, the Bel Canto SOLD OUT in 6-8 hours but the Launch Party went ahead and became a celebration party instead.

I was naturally able to take a few photos which, due to the awkward and low level lighting do not show the Bel Canto off in its full glory, and full glory it is too as it's a magnificent and stunning watch. Nevertheless here they are;-

Some fun facts or snippets of information that I was able to glean from the evening;-

1. There will be a follow up version, already in the pipeline, for release in Spring 2023.

2. I confirmed that whilst the case is Grade 5 Titanium, the bracelet is only Grade 2. However, at a quick glance one would never know the difference. 60% of watches sold have been on the bracelet.

3. On the bracelet, it is the same style/spec as the latest bracelets with extra taper, single sided screws for link removal, longer deployant clasp. Whilst on the quiet side it has a delightful tone to it.

4. The Vicuna leather straps are to the latest spec Vintage Oak.

5. The chime mechanism is stunning with several engaging features / touches.

6. Adrian Buchmann is very much alive and well as Head of Design for CW; we had a good chat

I met some interesting people, not least of whom are CW Challengers; Atlantic Rower, Rosalind Chaston and Conservationist & Arctic Explorer, Tom Hicks.

Guy

Thanks Guy for sharing these beautiful pictures. These have subsequently confirmed me to have done everything right with the order of the BC. Can hardly wait to wear the watch on my wrist....

Thomas

Christopher Ward Forum

Christopher Ward Forum

C1 Bel Canto Preview

Re: C1 Bel Canto Preview

Re: C1 Bel Canto Preview

Re: C1 Bel Canto Preview

Re: C1 Bel Canto Preview

Re: C1 Bel Canto Preview

Re: C1 Bel Canto Preview

Re: C1 Bel Canto Preview

Re: C1 Bel Canto Preview

Re: C1 Bel Canto Preview

Re: C1 Bel Canto Preview

Re: C1 Bel Canto Preview

Re: C1 Bel Canto Preview

Re: C1 Bel Canto Preview

Re: C1 Bel Canto Preview

Re: C1 Bel Canto Preview

Independently Operated Forum for CW Enthusiasts