I’ve come to a cross road with CW

Discuss Christopher Ward watches
User avatar
iain
Trusted Seller
Trusted Seller
Posts: 3115
Joined: Sun Mar 01, 2015 3:13 pm
CW-watches: 1

Re: I’ve come to a cross road with CW

Post by iain »

CW are no longer part of my collection. That’s not because I’ve fallen out with them but they’ve gone as part of a downsizing to fewer watches. Will I own one again? I can’t say at this point but I’m happy with what I’ve got. I’ve been here previously and a new release has got me excited and on occasions I’ve picked one up down the line second hand or in a sale. There’s nothing there at present that does that.

Perhaps it’s meant to be Richard. You can look elsewhere for your special watch and when it arrives you know it’s been the correct choice.
Iain’s Law: Any discussion on the Christopher Ward forum, irrespective of the thread title or subject matter, will eventually lead to someone mentioning the Bel Canto if the thread continues for long enough.
User avatar
Gareth
Senior
Senior
Posts: 84
Joined: Thu Aug 01, 2019 10:15 am
CW-watches: 12
Location: UK

Re: I’ve come to a cross road with CW

Post by Gareth »

For me, it’s not just about the aesthetic of the watch, but the movement as well. I have a couple of the SH21 movements, and this is what I am hoping for in the future and what will draw me back in.

I feel like I have done the SW200 thing to death now, so have little inclination to purchase anything from the current range. Having said that I can see myself adding a C60 Chronograph at some point if a good deal comes up.

It’s a good job there are plenty of CWs in the back catalogue to try and obtain!
User avatar
Bahnstormer_vRS
Moderator
Moderator
Posts: 35162
Joined: Thu Sep 06, 2012 3:06 pm
CW-watches: 34
LE-three: 1
LE-foura: 1
LE-fourb: 1
LE-six: 1
Location: Hertfordshire, UK

Re: I’ve come to a cross road with CW

Post by Bahnstormer_vRS »


Richard D wrote:I have a milestone birthday to enjoy this December, I’m hoping that CW will surprise me with a watch that captures my imagination of the past and helps me celebrate.
Richard D wrote:
Bahnstormer_vRS wrote: Fri Sep 30, 2022 9:56 pm given a sneak, and private / confidential, preview of what is coming up
Sent from my XPERIA 5 III using Tapatalk
Yes
Maybe CW will release an as yet secret and unteased (in Loupe) piece in their Revival range.

Alternatively, I'll gladly sell you my C5 Revival. :wink: :wink:

Guy



Sent from my XPERIA 5 III using Tapatalk

In small proportions, we just beautie see:
And in short measures, life may perfect bee. - Ben Jonson (1572 – 1637)

Inscription on the Longitude Dial
Hatfield House, Hatfield, Hertfordshire AL9 5NB, England
Mikkei4
Senior Forumgod
Senior Forumgod
Posts: 3587
Joined: Sat Jan 21, 2017 7:20 pm
CW-watches: 0

Re: I’ve come to a cross road with CW

Post by Mikkei4 »

Richard D wrote: Fri Sep 30, 2022 9:48 pm
JAFO wrote: Fri Sep 30, 2022 9:43 pm I don't think you really need to celebrate or mark a particular birthday with something just because. I would just wait until something really does catch your eye, and then strike. It might even be a CW. :D
I always thought my 65th was going to be special but with the pension age raised to 66 I guess I can delay my old age by a year.
70 is the new 65.
User avatar
Richard D
Senior Forumgod
Senior Forumgod
Posts: 3448
Joined: Sun Mar 25, 2018 5:59 pm
CW-watches: 0

Re: I’ve come to a cross road with CW

Post by Richard D »

iain wrote: Sat Oct 01, 2022 7:13 am Perhaps it’s meant to be Richard. You can look elsewhere for your special watch and when it arrives you know it’s been the correct choice.
Agree, perhaps it is meant to be. When I visited No:1 I came away with nothing, the first time ever.
Bahnstormer_vRS wrote: Sat Oct 01, 2022 8:49 am Maybe CW will release an as yet secret and unteased (in Loupe) piece in their Revival range.
Alternatively, I'll gladly sell you my C5 Revival. :wink: :wink:
Guy
Problem with the revivals is I’ve got the originals.
Mikkei4 wrote: Sat Oct 01, 2022 8:54 am 70 is the new 65.
That’s a good thought, I could always put my name down for a Rolex and wait 5 years for a call.
These users thanked the author Richard D for the post:
Bahnstormer_vRS
Richard


‘A gas station owned by Harland Sanders was the site of the first KFC in 1930. Motorists were served fried chicken at his own dining-room table.’
User avatar
asqwerth
Senior Forumgod
Senior Forumgod
Posts: 3540
Joined: Thu Sep 23, 2010 5:47 am
CW-watches: 8

Re: I’ve come to a cross road with CW

Post by asqwerth »

Nothing wrong with being happy with the CW watches that you have, and not being interested in any others. Your total collection consists of more than CW, and you probably have reached a point where there are no more niches within which another CW (for now) can fill. Just enjoy all your watches.
These users thanked the author asqwerth for the post (total 2):
Richard DROF68
C5As~FLE12R~W61~C60GMT~FLE15~SC
Orion33/Tetra2~BallEH~Montblanc~Tudor BB36~Archimede36~Damasko~Revue T~BremontSolo37~MJW
Vintage~Bulova23~Polerouter~Wittnauer~Longines~Omega~Soumar~Eterna~Gruen

Quartz~Matisse~FLE17~Ebel~Citizen
User avatar
Richard D
Senior Forumgod
Senior Forumgod
Posts: 3448
Joined: Sun Mar 25, 2018 5:59 pm
CW-watches: 0

Re: I’ve come to a cross road with CW

Post by Richard D »

asqwerth wrote: Sat Oct 01, 2022 10:45 am there are no more niches within which another CW (for now) can fill. Just enjoy all your watches.
Absolutely
Richard


‘A gas station owned by Harland Sanders was the site of the first KFC in 1930. Motorists were served fried chicken at his own dining-room table.’
User avatar
tikkathree
Trusted Seller
Trusted Seller
Posts: 7363
Joined: Fri Jan 24, 2014 12:21 am
CW-watches: 1
Location: East Anglia - arr 'aas right buh

Re: I’ve come to a cross road with CW

Post by tikkathree »

I'm probably not the only one who's had a complete "moving on" moment and gone on to achieve a full recovery: I had my parting from CW several years back and part of my particular therapy has been to recapture some of the watches I'd moved on.

Happily I've found that I can be happy with a variety of case sizes which means that I can concentrate on whether I like the look of the watch and this is easier for me to achieve with a textured dial rather than a plain, flat-coloured dial. In CW I am devoid of any quartz which isn't an issue as I'm happy to backtrack through the back catalogue.

There are current watches in which I have no interest but that really doesn't bother me.

Is there any advice in this? Stick to what you like. :wave:
These users thanked the author tikkathree for the post (total 2):
Richard DROF68
C60 MKI, MKII, MKIII: "some",
C6 & C60 Kingfishers,
C600 Tritechs,
C63 "some",
C65 "some",
C4, C40, C8, C9, C3, C5, C20 & 23FLE
Some other brands
User avatar
Richard D
Senior Forumgod
Senior Forumgod
Posts: 3448
Joined: Sun Mar 25, 2018 5:59 pm
CW-watches: 0

Re: I’ve come to a cross road with CW

Post by Richard D »

tikkathree wrote: Sat Oct 01, 2022 10:54 am Stick to what you like. :wave:
Absolutely
Richard


‘A gas station owned by Harland Sanders was the site of the first KFC in 1930. Motorists were served fried chicken at his own dining-room table.’
albionphoto
Senior Forumgod
Senior Forumgod
Posts: 2391
Joined: Wed Apr 22, 2015 11:07 pm
CW-watches: 10
Location: New Jersey

Re: I’ve come to a cross road with CW

Post by albionphoto »

I don't think this has been a great year for CW watch introductions. I've not had the urge to buy anything from any of the introductions this year and, although I know nothing about it yet, I'm pretty sure the final release of the year won't set my heart racing either. Maybe next year will be better.
The move to smaller sizes isn't my thing, going more fully retro isn't my thing, neither is fauxtina lume all of which have been dominant themes. The use of Rolex' wishy washy orange on the C60 300s didn't set my heart on fire, quite the opposite.

I'm happy with the watches I have whether they are CW or otherwise. If I have to wait for the next Concept watch as their 20th birthday present before I buy another CW, them, so be it.

There's nothing wrong with this. CW don't design for me. They design for the market they perceive. The market is moving in ways that don't suit my preferences. Maybe it gives me room to buy from other brands. Maybe it gives my bank account a rest. I'm still willing to wait and see what comes out next. CW aren't going to stay in business because the only watches they currently make that I like and don't own are the C60#Tide and the C65 Lympstone on the bracelet. Maybe I'll change my mind when I see the watches in person in NYC in October. Who can say.

Personal tastes and markets change. Sometimes that works for me and CW and sometimes I have a year or so off. The important thing is to enjoy what you have and save for the next one when it comes along. I'm sure it will.
These users thanked the author albionphoto for the post:
Richard D
Mark
Bremont, Casio, Citizen, Christopher Ward, Chronotechna, Mido, Omega and Oris
User avatar
Richard D
Senior Forumgod
Senior Forumgod
Posts: 3448
Joined: Sun Mar 25, 2018 5:59 pm
CW-watches: 0

Re: I’ve come to a cross road with CW

Post by Richard D »

albionphoto wrote: Sat Oct 01, 2022 9:26 pm I'm happy with the watches I have whether they are CW or otherwise.
I’m happy with my watch collection too but I could not but feel guilty having not bought a watch when I visited the CW showroom. I’ve never not come away without a watch. I’m definitely not their target audience, I’d be interested to know who is? Like you my bank account has had a reprieve. Having said that, my wife is delight as today I did buy a new oak table and chairs for our kitchen diner.
These users thanked the author Richard D for the post:
albionphoto
Richard


‘A gas station owned by Harland Sanders was the site of the first KFC in 1930. Motorists were served fried chicken at his own dining-room table.’
User avatar
Richard D
Senior Forumgod
Senior Forumgod
Posts: 3448
Joined: Sun Mar 25, 2018 5:59 pm
CW-watches: 0

Re: I’ve come to a cross road with CW

Post by Richard D »

The more I read what others have said the more I see I’m not alone. I posted the same thoughts on CWE & CWA, both facebook groups responded with a healthy and interesting conversations. It begs the question, who is CW targeting today? They have certainly have left me confused by their “posh punk” influence.
Richard


‘A gas station owned by Harland Sanders was the site of the first KFC in 1930. Motorists were served fried chicken at his own dining-room table.’
User avatar
Amor Vincit Omnia
Moderator
Moderator
Posts: 33795
Joined: Sat Jun 11, 2011 7:34 pm
CW-watches: 4
Location: Norfolk, UK

Re: I’ve come to a cross road with CW

Post by Amor Vincit Omnia »

Richard D wrote: Sun Oct 02, 2022 1:41 am It begs the question, who is CW targeting today?
This is a really interesting and relevant question that has been around on the forum for some time.

I’ve just been reading this from the “Fixation with Movement” thread.

I also started this one over the summer

Somehow I don’t see the target market as a small number of mature gents who may already have a few CWs alongside various Omega, Rolex, Moser, JLC, IWC, ALS, GO, GS, UN to name but a few.

Also, what started out as a little company in Merrie England now has a rapidly expanding following in the USA and other countries.

As I really don’t want or need any more watches right now, I’m happy to sit back and see what transpires.
These users thanked the author Amor Vincit Omnia for the post (total 2):
FloridaPhilalbionphoto
Steve
Linguist; retired teacher; pilgrim; apprentice travel writer

Take nothing but pictures, leave nothing but footprints, kill nothing but time


Avoid loud and aggressive persons; they are vexatious to the spirit. (Max Ehrmann)
User avatar
strapline
Senior Forumgod
Senior Forumgod
Posts: 2328
Joined: Tue May 07, 2019 3:00 pm
CW-watches: 0
Location: SW Ireland

Re: I’ve come to a cross road with CW

Post by strapline »

Amor Vincit Omnia wrote: Sun Oct 02, 2022 8:57 am
Richard D wrote: Sun Oct 02, 2022 1:41 am It begs the question, who is CW targeting today?
This is a really interesting and relevant question that has been around on the forum for some time.

Somehow I don’t see the target market as a small number of mature gents who may already have a few CWs alongside various Omega, Rolex, Moser, JLC, IWC, ALS, GO, GS, UN to name but a few.
Ya see, here in lies the oversight that I think a lot of users of this forum make. CW isn't trying to run its business from sales to mature men and women (50yrs old >). That demographic is very visible on this forum because, it seems, a great many of those people are either time or cash wealthy - they have a surplus of either or possibly both. You only have to look at the wrists and skin on the backs of hands of those accompanying wrist shots...they're senior.

A good many of these people own high end watches, many well north of £3/4K, some in multiples. Many of these people have probably settled their mortgages or are close. A great many will have equity in their homes. They are probably as well paid as they're ever likely to be and, accordingly, their spending power is at its best. Simply, CW might not be a high enough bar for a lot of those people, with many's palette's having become more refined.

But there are other consumers out there. Younger, possibly by a couple of decades. And guess what? their tastes might not be quite so exacting, their pockets not quite so deep. Could this be a demographic we're talking about?

Des
These users thanked the author strapline for the post (total 3):
Richard DBahnstormer_vRSasqwerth
Does melancholy count as two of your five daily servings?
User avatar
Richard D
Senior Forumgod
Senior Forumgod
Posts: 3448
Joined: Sun Mar 25, 2018 5:59 pm
CW-watches: 0

Re: I’ve come to a cross road with CW

Post by Richard D »

Amor Vincit Omnia wrote: Sun Oct 02, 2022 8:57 am This is a really interesting and relevant question that has been around on the forum for some time.
If the forum nor FB groups have not got the answer, I guess the audience lies elsewhere.
Richard


‘A gas station owned by Harland Sanders was the site of the first KFC in 1930. Motorists were served fried chicken at his own dining-room table.’