New innovations from CW - your thoughts?

Post by **Amor Vincit Omnia** » Sun Jun 16, 2024 10:56 am

Following on and diverging from this excellent post by @Peteo …

Pete mentions the Bel Canto release as a signal moment for the company, a time when things changed. To me the Bel Canto and the Twelve represented new avenues for CW, new departures if you will, in the sense that they had never attempted a sonnerie or an integrated sports watch before. Both were innovative for the brand, the BC perhaps more obviously and spectacularly so.

My question: what have CW not produced before that you would be keen to see? It could be as simple as a handset or as complicated as a new (to CW) complication or case shape.

I dropped a couple of hints about my thinking there, and I’m sure some of you could second-guess me. However, I’ll leave that open for now. I’m interested in what others think. No holds barred, apart from it must be something they haven’t done before.

stefs · Post by **stefs** » Sun Jun 16, 2024 1:03 pm

As posted recently a digital mechanical would be nice like this…

jtc · Post by **jtc** » Sun Jun 16, 2024 1:20 pm

stefs wrote: ↑Sun Jun 16, 2024 1:03 pm As posted recently a digital mechanical would be nice like this…
IMG_2431.jpeg

Agree, I'd absolutely love a more affordable "digital" mechanical watch like the ever-admirable Langes... please CW make it happen one day!

Post by **Kip** » Sun Jun 16, 2024 1:32 pm

I think the Bel Canto Effect (BCE) should give CW the confidence to reach out a bit higher.

I now think that a minute repeater should be possible based off the SH21. I also think a mechanical alarm watch is now possible.

Peteo · Post by **Peteo** » Sun Jun 16, 2024 2:50 pm

Thanks for the shout out, @Amor Vincit Omnia. Hope my thoughts lead to good chat on both threads.

I hadn't thought much about what I'd like to see from CW in the future. Seeing as how I didn't see a chiming watch coming, I don't have a lot of faith in my ability to imagine what might come next. But As a big AL&S fan, I'd love to see CW's take on the Zeitwerk. Wth the wind at their backs, I'd also like to see if CW can take a bold step with the C5 dress watch. If the Twelve is the CW GADA watch that leans sport, I'd love to see the same that leans dress. Think the Grand Seiko aesthetic but obviously more west than east. Might not be the best way to keep the business momentum going though.

iain · Post by **iain** » Sun Jun 16, 2024 3:34 pm

Amor Vincit Omnia wrote: ↑Sun Jun 16, 2024 10:56 am My question: what have CW not produced before that you would be keen to see?

I’m not intending this as a sarcastic answer but I’d like to see CW produce a longer lasting range of watches and a fully functioning service and repair department.

Picking up on some of the elements of Peteos post in which he says CW are now starting to be spoken about in the same breath as more established and larger brands. In order for them to be taken seriously in the long term they need their customers to have confidence that when they buy a watch it won’t become outdated when the next new thing comes along. Also that they will be able to get parts and have their watch maintained for many years to come and not be seen as disposable when parts are no longer available five years down the line.

I like how they seem to have settled down somewhat with their strap selections. For certain CW watches of old, if you didn’t buy a spare when you bought the watch, the chances of you getting a replacement when you needed it was virtually zero.

iain · Post by **iain** » Sun Jun 16, 2024 3:36 pm

Amor Vincit Omnia wrote: ↑Sun Jun 16, 2024 10:56 am To me the Bel Canto and the Twelve represented new avenues for CW, new departures if you will, in the sense that they had never attempted a sonnerie or an integrated sports watch before.

Are you forgetting about the old C20 Steve which was an early attempt at an integrated bracelet watch? Of course if you bought it on leather you probably can’t wear it now as you can’t get replacement straps for it…….

Post by **Amor Vincit Omnia** » Sun Jun 16, 2024 4:38 pm

Kip wrote: ↑Sun Jun 16, 2024 1:32 pm I also think a mechanical alarm watch is now possible.

One of the things I’d like to see. Complication-wise, another is the traveller GMT with independent hour hand.

maclink · Post by **maclink** » Sun Jun 16, 2024 9:38 pm

iain wrote: ↑Sun Jun 16, 2024 3:34 pm

I’m not intending this as a sarcastic answer but I’d like to see CW produce a longer lasting range of watches and a fully functioning service and repair department.
….

This. I agree!

Tonywalker · Post by **Tonywalker** » Sun Jun 16, 2024 10:29 pm

iain wrote: ↑Sun Jun 16, 2024 3:36 pm
Amor Vincit Omnia wrote: ↑Sun Jun 16, 2024 10:56 am To me the Bel Canto and the Twelve represented new avenues for CW, new departures if you will, in the sense that they had never attempted a sonnerie or an integrated sports watch before.

Are you forgetting about the old C20 Steve which was an early attempt at an integrated bracelet watch? Of course if you bought it on leather you probably can’t wear it now as you can’t get replacement straps for it…….

Beat me to it

Post by **Amor Vincit Omnia** » Mon Jun 17, 2024 7:21 am

@iain @Tonywalker Thanks, chaps. I always forget that one!

Post by **Kip** » Mon Jun 17, 2024 9:39 am

iain wrote: ↑Sun Jun 16, 2024 3:36 pm
Are you forgetting about the old C20 Steve which was an early attempt at an integrated bracelet watch? Of course if you bought it on leather you probably can’t wear it now as you can’t get replacement straps for it…….

It is true that replacement straps are not available. However, you can purchase aftermarket 26mm straps and notch them to fit. It may not be a perfect fit, but it can be done.

CBMVic20 · Post by **CBMVic20** » Mon Jun 17, 2024 9:40 am

An affordable tourbillon that's a watch first and not a piece of art like the BC.

Post by **Amor Vincit Omnia** » Mon Jun 17, 2024 10:01 am

Kip wrote: ↑Mon Jun 17, 2024 9:39 am
iain wrote: ↑Sun Jun 16, 2024 3:36 pm
Are you forgetting about the old C20 Steve which was an early attempt at an integrated bracelet watch? Of course if you bought it on leather you probably can’t wear it now as you can’t get replacement straps for it…….
It is true that replacement straps are not available. However, you can purchase aftermarket 26mm straps and notch them to fit. It may not be a perfect fit, but it can be done.

And I’m fairly sure that if you sent photos and measurements to a competent strap maker, he would be able to run one up for you.

Post by **Amor Vincit Omnia** » Mon Jun 17, 2024 10:14 am

My great desire is some form of rectangular case. Not square like the C13/15 or the C5 Slimline(2) - they were big as well.

A sort of tank style, maybe elongated like a Tank Américaine or Tank Cintrée. CW has only done these in the ladies’ collection (RIP). I always fancied an upscale of the W900 Belisama Mk2, but they wouldn’t do it. It was automatic as well!

Also, I’d really like to see a tonneau in a good size (think Evidenza or Franck Müller). What I’d really like is something that looks like this (understood, case would be RG plated/PVD) with a hand-wound movement.

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