Good evening everyone.

I was extremely excited to receive my new C1 Bel Canto Nero today. Thought I would share my initial thoughts. Photos also posted to Reference Gallery.

First off, I love the dial, design and size. Would I have preferred the blue instead of black based on pictures I have seen? Probably, but the Nero was the model available that I preferred the most and it still does the trick.

I ordered both the Bader bracelet and the black leather strap. It's my first Bader bracelet and I was a little surprised by the lightness to it, but that's just my unfamiliarity with it I think. I quickly switched it out for the leather strap (super easy process) and that's what I've worn it on so far (for the first 15 minutes...) My next step will be to re-size the Bader and see how it feels, but so far I'm preferring it on the leather for both feel and aesthetic. A very minor quibble is that the loops on the leather strap do feel a little thin.

Legibility is fairly difficult (not uncommon I think), but that's really not what you buy this watch for is it? If I was more disappointed anywhere it would probably be in the volume and sustain of the chime itself. I've watched a few videos of it online and on video it definitely seems to ring out more than in 'real life'. I have recorded a couple of videos myself and the chime definitely sounds louder recorded, so by no means do I think mine is faulty or anything, but maybe I was just expecting more from having seen those videos.

Probably a 7/10 so far but I think this is a grower and I'm going to love it over time. Maybe it's the weight of expectation from the perspective of the time since pre-ordering (more on that below), the higher cost relative to other CWs, and the rave reviews I've had plenty of time to digest.

My order process for information:
- Ordered third week of October 2023, for delivery end June 2024
- Update received mid-May indicating the gongs were not up to scratch and delivery would be end September 2024
- Payment link received last week of July saying watch would dispatch ten days after payment
- Watch dispatched eight days after payment

I'm pretty happy with the lead time. I knew it would be a long wait and ultimately it's been dispatched only around five weeks after the initial delivery date. Given some parts had to be sent back I would say this is pretty decent, and I'd much rather have a better timepiece a few weeks later than something under quality control standards.

Finally, my one rather silly and inexperienced question (this being my first CW leather strap), is in relation to the last photo I've posted. Do you remove the brown "hook" connected to the strap loop? It tends to bunch up and poke out when actually wearing the watch but doesn't look obviously removable. Sorry it's probably a very dumb question...

Best,
TB

Move the keeper to where it needs to be, sew in a couple of stitches to close the loop and cut off the excess.

timepieces_and_bags wrote: ↑Tue Aug 13, 2024 10:39 pm Legibility is fairly difficult (not uncommon I think), but that's really not what you buy this watch for is it?

It was one of the things that put me off, actually. I tried one on in Maidenhead last year, and legibility is too important to me. I also found the gong quite faint. And because of the expanse of “dial” I found it rather on the large side for a dressy watch. Great technical achievement, but not for me.

Thank you for your excellent "first thoughts" write-up which I'm sure other prevaricators, like me, will find useful.

Might I trouble you for another photo of the watch on wrist please? I sense that you wanted to show the dial in as much detail a possible and the way you've filled each frame creates the impression of a big watch which can swamp the wrist so please, another photo not quite so close up would help me. Thank you.

MarkingTime wrote: ↑Wed Aug 14, 2024 8:55 am Move the keeper to where it needs to be, sew in a couple of stitches to close the loop and cut off the excess.

Perfect idea - thank you.

@tikkathree - I had thought the same myself last night when re-reviewing my pictures. So please find some further photos below, on a dark and rainy day where I am.

I like to wear my watches fairly larger personally. @Bahnstormer_vRS good estimation - wrist is 175mm (photo proof also attached) which Google faithfully tells me equates to 6.88976 inches.

Best,
TB

Great technical achievement, but not for me.

Same here really, I do admire what CW have done with the BC, I think it's a lovely thing (some colours more than others) and pretty amazing for the price - but I don't want one.

Bahnstormer_vRS wrote: ↑Wed Aug 14, 2024 12:54 pm @tikkathree - on your wrist, like mine (7.5+") it will be fine. Sits nice and flat with a suitable curve to the lugs.

I suspect, from his photos, that @timepieces_and_bags wrist is 6.75" - 7".

Guy

Spoken like a man who has seen lots of wrist shots in his time

@timepieces_and_bags excellent thank you. Rain eh? Golly!!

Thanks for the insights on your first impression. I'm scheduled to receive my Cielo Bel Canto on Vacona leather in December. I believe CW is coordinating with Santa for a special delivery. jeje jk. Nevertheless, I really look forward to receiving and comparing my first impressions with everyone else here. Stay tuned...

Good evening all,

Just wanted to provide a quick update on my thoughts after several days of wear.

On day two I switched to the Bader bracelet. Initially I had felt it was a bit light but actually I think it balances the watch pretty well.

And the chime, for which I had some reservations, is really quite perfect actually. It’s loud enough to serve its purpose as an hourly reminder without being too intrusive, and I do hear it even if the watch is over the other side of the room.

Thirdly, I have had LOTS of compliments on the Bel Canto, including plenty from my local watch retailers. As an aside, one in particular is well aware of CW and wished he could stock them!

I think I’ve gone from a 7/10 to 8.5/10 (not sure I can quite push a 9 yet but only a one point move feels harsh so I’m being equivocal.)

Best,
TB

Hi All

I received my nero and at first it was striking i love the look of the watch. However ive initially started to notice somethings and i will probably notice more.

The brushed finish on the titanium strap a little uneven in places and not well finished. The chime is a little too quiet in my opinion.

Most importantly when i'm not wearing it, it stops?

Is it self winding or something, i wasn't aware of this?

Because it seems to work when i'm wearing it?

Regds