C12 Loco - A Revolution in Motion

Chippytea · Post by **Chippytea** » Thu Apr 24, 2025 11:42 pm

Regarding screw alignment - and this idea is a major bodge and so I can see why it could be frowned upon - but it could be possible to use threadlocker and then back the screws off until all of them are aligned? With flat head screws it would mean a maximum of 1/2 a rotation to align them.

Like I say it's a major bodge though, and whilst it might improve the aesthetics it obviously isn't recommended!

I never found screw misalignment an issue on previous CWs - like the C60 Anthropocene GMT. I noticed it pretty quickly when I first got the watch, and it never bothered me again afterwards.

Something I have found with the Loco is that it's actually made me look at the Twelve X Steel again and consider purchasing one. It's a toss-up between an automatic 5 day skeleton with incredible finishing and a ridiculous view of the internal components, or a hand wound 6 day with an admittedly nice balance wheel arrangement.

Leaning towards the former!

timepieces_and_bags · Fri Apr 25, 2025 12:27 am

I have to admit that, despite not being personally keen and there not being a universally positive reaction, I’m a little surprised that (if I understand the pre-order date appearing on the website correctly) the initial batch of 750 hasn’t moved on the first day. I thought off the heels of the Bel Canto and the marketing campaign that there would be enough buzz for it.

As an aside, one comment I have seen that I think is not unreasonable is that a hand wound movement with a 144 power reserve might deserve a PR indicator. I appreciate this causes other aesthetic and dimensional impacts, but I can understand the view that having a 6 day power reserve becomes less impressive if you have to wind it more often anyway because you don’t know how much is ‘left in the tank’.

Though I wonder (and this is a question from a position of little knowledge since I’ve seen neither in person…): with the SH21 do I understand correctly you can get a sense of the amount of power left from how ‘loaded’ the barrels are? Would it be something similar for the CW-003?

Chippytea · Post by **Chippytea** » Fri Apr 25, 2025 12:55 am

timepieces_and_bags wrote: ↑Fri Apr 25, 2025 12:27 am I have to admit that, despite not being personally keen and there not being a universally positive reaction, I’m a little surprised that (if I understand the pre-order date appearing on the website correctly) the initial batch of 750 hasn’t moved on the first day. I thought off the heels of the Bel Canto and the marketing campaign that there would be enough buzz for it.

As an aside, one comment I have seen that I think is not unreasonable is that a hand wound movement with a 144 power reserve might deserve a PR indicator. I appreciate this causes other aesthetic and dimensional impacts, but I can understand the view that having a 6 day power reserve becomes less impressive if you have to wind it more often anyway because you don’t know how much is ‘left in the tank’.

Though I wonder (and this is a question from a position of little knowledge since I’ve seen neither in person…): with the SH21 do I understand correctly you can get a sense of the amount of power left from how ‘loaded’ the barrels are? Would it be something similar for the CW-003?

The watch market doesn't seem to be in a great place at the moment, although I'm not sure about new watches and am just using my experience of the second hand market. But perhaps global uncertainty (tariffs?) haven't helped either?

In comparison to the launch of the Bel Canto - that watch gave me a warm feeling. It was cute, it featured a bird, it was a sweet little 'ding'. It was something I hadn't seen before at that price bracket.

I won't deny there's some brilliant work in the Loco, but it lacks the 'cuteness' of the Bel Canto. It's technically fine but doesn't have the same emotional impact with me. It seems to do what it does well, but what it does doesn't give me the same 'wow'. Probably why the Loco itself has actually resulted in me looking at other models like the Twelve X Steel.

thomcat00 · Post by **thomcat00** » Fri Apr 25, 2025 1:53 am

The new Loco impresses me, even more so than the Bel Canto did. Both exhibit excellent design and style. I hope, and trust, it will do well for CW. As for me, the engineering is very cool. I’m not yet ready to jump into the ordering queue. But, wow, it is an amazing watch!

Noush · Post by **Noush** » Fri Apr 25, 2025 1:59 am

I've been somewhat absent in recent times (way too many dramas, coming out the other side thankfully) but this release is absolutely worth a comment!
First, I think it's a wonderful achievement, and fortunately I consider it a size too large for my skinny 16cm wrist. My Twelve is a 36 and it suits me just fine... but otherwise I would absolutely wear this. Orange

I've got no other suggestion (pointless) but 'Loco'? Soon as I saw this I thought Armin Strom who make fascinating but to my mind wildly over-priced watches (I've handled a couple). I wonder what they make of it?

To those who are going to be early adopters, more power to you. Enjoy. It's a LOT of watchmaking for a very fair price for what it is, and a very cool thing. And yet another CW milestone. The brand really does stand on its own.

Grand Seiko · Post by **Grand Seiko** » Fri Apr 25, 2025 2:09 am

Kudos to Mr Seltzer for leading the creation
I like the back more than the front
Not the watch for me but glad they continue to challenge themselves to create
I tried to get a MAD 2 but didn’t win the raffle
I also went in 2 directions oerderibg a Manilone G2, a tourbillon with a guilloche enamel dial for $900 and a Grand Seiko Tokyo Lion Tentagraph

asqwerth · Post by **asqwerth** » Fri Apr 25, 2025 3:47 am

I'm not surprised the 750 first batch didn't sell out completely in 1 day. With the global economy what it is, tariffs, etc, even people who like it may need to keep their money for essential purchases. Or they might need to save up. I doubt you can replicate the initial BC hype, because people were totally not expecting the BC. The Loco was marketed heavily and there might have been some who felt it didn't fully meet the expectations that had built up.

I suspect it will be a slow burner and slowly pick up sales once more real purchaser reviews (ie, non-critics, people who actually paid for the watch) come in. Assuming the reviews are positive of course.

Hopefully CW don't wait for 750 orders to come in before getting to work on the initial orders!

Maverick_John · Post by **Maverick_John** » Fri Apr 25, 2025 4:15 am

timepieces_and_bags wrote: ↑Fri Apr 25, 2025 12:27 am I have to admit that, despite not being personally keen and there not being a universally positive reaction, I’m a little surprised that (if I understand the pre-order date appearing on the website correctly) the initial batch of 750 hasn’t moved on the first day. I thought off the heels of the Bel Canto and the marketing campaign that there would be enough buzz for it.

As an aside, one comment I have seen that I think is not unreasonable is that a hand wound movement with a 144 power reserve might deserve a PR indicator. I appreciate this causes other aesthetic and dimensional impacts, but I can understand the view that having a 6 day power reserve becomes less impressive if you have to wind it more often anyway because you don’t know how much is ‘left in the tank’.

Though I wonder (and this is a question from a position of little knowledge since I’ve seen neither in person…): with the SH21 do I understand correctly you can get a sense of the amount of power left from how ‘loaded’ the barrels are? Would it be something similar for the CW-003?

Yeah a PR would be a smart addition.. imagine if the obstructive bridge doubled up as a power reserve.. at least I could accept it having a purpose.
That bridge just takes too much away from the open balance wheel.. a little needle the keeps going left when running out.

golfjunky · Post by **golfjunky** » Fri Apr 25, 2025 7:02 am

Also just noticed that it’s another CW with no mention of CW on the dial. Not sure if this is good or bad

Post by **Amor Vincit Omnia** » Fri Apr 25, 2025 7:47 am

@Maverick_John If I may…

I seem to recall from the documentary that the original designs were quite complicated and an executive “less is more” decision was taken to pare back and simplify.

Also, I’m no structural engineer, but you must have some kind of bridge to keep the balance wheel securely in place, mustn’t you? Would a smaller one have been as effective?

Maverick_John · Post by **Maverick_John** » Fri Apr 25, 2025 7:57 am

Amor Vincit Omnia wrote: ↑Fri Apr 25, 2025 7:47 am @Maverick_John If I may…

I seem to recall from the documentary that the original designs were quite complicated and an executive “less is more” decision was taken to pare back and simplify.

Also, I’m no structural engineer, but you must have some kind of bridge to keep the balance wheel securely in place, mustn’t you? Would a smaller one have been as effective?

I completely agree it needs to be there, I just found it a little bulky and intrusive
I'm sure there's no magic with a floating tourbillon design perhaps something similar may have worked. The minimalist 3 small pronged bridge design on Cartiers tourbillon is also nice and doesn't detract too much.

TimB · Post by **TimB** » Fri Apr 25, 2025 7:59 am

The top half of the watch face being raised over the bottom half makes it look like the face has been folded in half, looks dreadful. I can't unsee it. What a shame.

golfjunky · Post by **golfjunky** » Fri Apr 25, 2025 8:19 am

But less obvious on the white one

strapline · Post by **strapline** » Fri Apr 25, 2025 8:51 am

The more I look at the loco the more I like it...even the name sits well with me. I've never seen myself as the type to be 'ignited' by haute horology; I thought my tastes were more traditional, particularly more tool watch. But this feels like watchmaking for the 21st century, something to shake up the same ol' same ol' from the same ol' same ol'. It doesn't need a PR indicator messing up the dial harmony, just give it a few winds when you remember, it'll go six days after all. The more I look at it and read about it, the more I struggle to understand how they can sell it for that kind of money. I'd love one. This has so much more to it than a chime! It feels like a change of direction; a new movement. Oh wait, it is...fantastic.

Des

Post by **rkovars** » Fri Apr 25, 2025 9:24 am

TimB wrote: ↑Fri Apr 25, 2025 7:59 am The top half of the watch face being raised over the bottom half makes it look like the face has been folded in half, looks dreadful. I can't unsee it. What a shame.

In the hand it is not as pronounced. Photos seem to emphasize the break more. In the metal your eyes are drawn to the dial and the balance and little else.

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