Hi everyone,

I'm considering purchasing the C65 Aquitaine GMT in Orca Black and want to ensure I get the latest version with the applied logo and colour-matched black date wheel (if available) as I've photos on Reddit and at least one on Instagram of people receiving an updated Orca. I reached out to CW customer support for clarification, and they responded, saying, "The watch on our site is being sold with the printed logo as advertised."

However, I've come across several Reddit posts suggesting that an updated version might exist:

• Brought her home.
  This post shows the Orca Black model with what appears to be an applied logo and black date wheel (barely visible in the photo). I can't really tell if the logo is printed or applied.
• Comment by the same user
  The same user later shared a photo of the same watch in a comment on another post showing the black date wheel clearly, along with what looks like an applied logo.
• C65 GMT Updated
  Another user posted their new C65 in Orca Black with the applied logo and black date wheel. They mentioned these changes were not announced or posted publicly and that they were unaware they were getting this version until they received it.
• I'm more of a beer guy, Merry Christmas everyone!
  This post features the White Sand model with a colour-matched date wheel, suggesting that such updates might be present across the other variants. I’m aware this model already received the applied logo on the site a while back, but the date wheel in the site photos is white and doesn’t match the cream/sand-coloured dial. It seems some buyers have received the updated date wheel.

Of course, there’s always the possibility that these Reddit posts aren’t entirely accurate—perhaps they’re showing prototype versions, older or altered photos, or something less convincing. While outright lies seem unlikely (I can’t imagine why someone would go to the trouble of faking a version of a model that doesn’t seem to be CW’s bestseller), it’s worth considering the possibility.

What bothers me, though, is the inconsistency. If CW has updated the design or made changes, why wouldn’t they reflect that in their product photos and descriptions? It feels like a buyer could end up with something different from what’s advertised, which could either be a welcome surprise or a frustrating disappointment. I love the design of this watch, but this uncertainty makes it hard to feel confident about purchasing.

I’d appreciate your insights on the following:

• Are the applied logo and colour-matched date wheel officially part of the Orca Black version yet?
• If you’ve recently purchased the Orca Black model, which configuration did you receive?
• Have there been instances where CW updated a model, but the product listings didn’t immediately reflect these changes? (The posts I linked are from a couple of months ago at least, so there’s that too.)
• Do you think the Reddit posts could be inaccurate or misleading?
• Should CW standardize their sales process and ensure that product listings and photos always match what they ship?

Your experiences and advice would be invaluable! I’m frustrated but still love the potential of this watch—it’s just hard to proceed without knowing exactly what to expect.

Thanks and a Happy New Year in advance!

The first photo of the Black Orca looks printed to me. The second maybe not. The second date wheel is definitely matched. The third is hard to tell from the angle on the logo but the date is matched. The white dial is applied as it is in the photos online. Sometimes CS is the last to know.

Since it is in pre-order as well the photos might change when in-stock.

Some of the comments in the threads linked above confirm the photographed watch has an applied logo.

@goodbarista

Do Not trust customer service about product specifications.

I have been been burned by them more than once but I do not blame them. Customer Service will tell you what it should be rather than what it is. They have no insight into what is actually in the warehouse and what will be shipped to you (regrading running model changes like this one) and they have no insight as to what is happening in manufacturing. They will give you general product information that is not (always) up to date or accurate. I think this is due to inadequate communication within the company and a result of growing pains. It will get better with time.

I would suggest you order the Reddit posts by date and then figure out what has been shipping recently to tell you what you will probably receive.

That's a bummer . The posts I linked in my initial thread are all I found for the recent Aquitaine GMTs in the Orca Black colourway. And I'm guessing they have some of the old stock as well as the newer stock so it's anyone's guess as to what I'll receive. They really should sort this out, maybe have 2 different listings for v1 and v2.

I did point out the same posts to CS as well but they didn't acknowledge them so you're probably right, they're probably unaware of the new iterations.

@goodbarista Here are a couple of zooms from a pic that I took shortly after receiving my C65 Aquitaine GMT Orca Black in September of this year. Hope this helps… it’s a beautiful watch.

UncleLoco wrote: ↑Sun Dec 29, 2024 4:11 am
@goodbarista Here are a couple of zooms from a pic that I took shortly after receiving my C65 Aquitaine GMT Orca Black in September of this year. Hope this helps… it’s a beautiful watch.

That's actually super helpful @UncleLoco! I'm curious, can I get your wrist size please? Mines around 15.2 cm and this watch is probably too big but having a flatter wrist does help I think.

I hope I get that new version when I finally order it . If they send me the old one, would I be within rights to return it and reorder until they send me that newer version? Or how else do I make sure I get the newest one since CS is unaware of differences between versions? Anyone got any clue?

@UncleLoco Thanks for posting that. CW doesn't usually carry mixed stock. It is first in first out. Occasionally something slips through but I would say you are probably okay pre-ordering. You are within rights to return it for any reason for 60 days. Just don't wear it or resize the bracelet.

As for size. The C65 case wears really well. The Aquitaines wear slightly larger than the older C65s but not by a lot. @UncleLoco Can you take a wrist shot from 2-3 feet away and crop in only slightly. This will remove any lens parallax from the shot making the watch look bigger than it is.

Something like this:
This is the original C65 on my 7.5" wrist. Also remember that if it looks okay to you that is all that matters!

Good call, @rkovars. The dial zooms didn’t properly show wrist proportion. Snapped this one this morning for hopefully a better perspective. Love your original C65 btw.

@goodbarista, Wrist = 7.25” / 18.5cm give or take a mm.

goodbarista wrote: ↑Sun Dec 29, 2024 10:48 am (my wrist is) around 15.2 cm and this watch is probably too big but having a flatter wrist does help I think.

@goodbarista You have referenced one of the most important specifications about how a watch will wear that most people do not consider:
The watches length across the wrist.

Two people may have the same wrist circumference but if one has a flat/oval wrist and the other a round wrist watches fit them differently. This is where the wingspan measurement of a watch can be very helpful. If you have a more flat than round wrist, measure the wingspan of your wrist and then compare it to the wingspan of most watches to determine what will work for you. Consider your personal preference as well.

As an example, I have a larger than average wrist circumference 19.7cm (7.75" in fall/winter and about 8" in spring/summer) but it is also very flat across the wingspan so I wear watches even larger than most people would assume for my wrist size. The other point is that watches in the 38mm/39mm sizes that are so-called universal fit for all wrist sizes look much too small on me.

Look at the pictures below: The blue dial is a 40mm Trident Pro 300 and the white dial is the 42mm Trident Pro 300. If I had a more round wrist the 40mm might look better on me but the 42mm is actually a better "effective" fit for me. I have also included the 38mm Cranwell which looks much too small and a Rolex 36mm DateJust which is way too small.

Thank you all for your input so far—it’s been incredibly helpful! Thanks as well for the photos of your watches! I appreciate the time and effort you’ve all taken to share your experiences, insights, and advice.

I also wanted to share an interesting observation from Loupe Issue 34. In my copy, there is a photo of the Aquitaine GMT showcasing the applied logo but with a white date wheel—which seems to represent yet another iteration of the model. On the next page, there is a photo showing the watch with the printed logo. It’s fascinating to see how many subtle changes the Aquitaine lineup has undergone, from printed to applied logos and now different date wheel configurations.

I thought I'd also share an inaccuracy I noticed in my copy of Loupe. It mentions the C65 Dune GMT having a rotating interior bezel. As we all know the Dune GMT features a fixed steel bezel, with a printed chapter ring on the dial. I did check the online version, and it seems this error has already been corrected, but I thought I’d share anyway for those who might have missed it.

Regarding sizing, I did try on the watch at CW's booth at the Toronto Timepiece Show, but unfortunately, the bracelet was sized too large for my puny wrist . In the hustle and bustle of the show, I also missed the opportunity to take a picture with the bracelet. However, I did manage to get my wife to snap a couple of photos of the watch on the leather strap: My wrist circumference is 15.2 to 15.3 cm (~6 inches), and width is about 4.9 to 5 cm (~2 inches). I’m hoping to buy the watch on the Bader bracelet, but I’m concerned about how the bracelet’s end links affect the fit. Does anyone know if the bracelet uses male or female end links? If it’s male end links, what is the end link-to-end link measurement? I did find a measurement for the Lumiere's end link to end link (53 mm) but it's probably not the same so likely irrelevant here.

I had some spare time (read: slacking off work and daydreaming about the Aquitaine) and while taking measurements I came up with this cardstock mock-up of the watch to get a rough idea of its size. The dimensions of the mock-up aren’t exact (42mm with a lug-to-lug of 47mm), but it helped me visualize how the watch might wear on my wrist. Lugs of the mock-up also don't bend down so that might be a factor. Here’s a photo of the mock-up: For comparison, I've also included a photo of my Laco DIN 8330 GMT (43.5mm wide, 49.8mm lug to lug) which I was given as a gift but have never worn as it is way too large. Gorgeous watch though but I will sell it at some point. Also a photo of my trusty SNK807 (37 mm w/ 43mm lug to lug). Does it look like the Aquitaine with bracelet would sit well on a wrist my size? If you’ve worn the Aquitaine on the bracelet and have similar wrist dimensions, I’d love to hear more about how it fits and whether the bracelet balances the watch well. What do you all think about how it looks on the strap? I thought the leather was supple and looked very handsome, but I would like that bracelet too (if it fits). Otherwise, maybe I should consider an aftermarket Milanese?

Thanks again, all, and I hope you have a great start to 2025!

Based on your Timepiece photos look fine to me. Sometimes it takes our brain a minute to readjust to size too. But you are also talking to someone who wears a 45.5mm PO on the regular

@goodbarista, the pics with the strap in Toronto look great! I did a little photo shoot of the various strap configurations that I have. First three are listed purchase options with the Aquitaine GMT and the last two are other 22mm CW straps that work, noting that I generally prefer straps to bracelets. Kudos on the pre-purchase deep “dive”, always part of the fun.
CW Bader Bracelet and end link detail.

CW Vintage Oak Leather Camel. I think the lighter leather looks great with the cream indices.

CW Tropic Rubber Black. Super comfortable, enhances the diver vibe.

CW Hybrid Rubber Black. Even though not a purchase option, this is my favorite strap on the watch. I think the stiffness of the thicker cordura/rubber combo fit the heft of the watch better than the Tropic Rubber, while still being very comfortable and utilitarian. Also a little bit of a nod to the Fifty Fathoms sailcloth strap.

CW Vacona Leather Brown. I love this strap…very comfortable supple leather. It spends most of its time on my C65 Super Compressor.