Having bought a few bits and pieces over the years from a local Auctioneers, I am on their mailing list and always scan their Auctions for any interesting watches.

On Monday this week I received a reminder of their upcoming Jewellery Auction the following day, which had a few watches tacked on the end.

To my surprise one Lot featured a 'gold plated Christopher Ward quartz strap watch' along with two others, one of which I have already written about in the Who has heard of Titoni a a Brand? thread. The other watch being a Raymond Weil Geneve Gold plated quartz watch.

From the Auction catalogue



I digress; focus, Guy!


Succinctly, I won the Auction at a very reasonable price, even allowing for the almost larcenous 30% Buyer's premium. What have I got?

Well, how many gold plated quartz watches have CW produced? Not many; answer in the CWArchive.

An early, Swiss Movement, C1 Russell gold plated case / brown dial.

It came on a reasonably decent, but quite well worn, after market honey brown leather strap with the original gold plated CW deployant, which I have switched over onto a reddish brown CW genuine Alligator strap.







The condition is excellent for its age and, from the strap, probable daily wear. I've given it a gentle clean with 'Spectacle Lens Cleaner' and a microfibre polishing cloth. Its come up a treat.

The only detrimental mark is a tick shaped scratch on the case back next to one of the securing screws where, presumably, a screwdriver slipped during a battery change. This though can only be seen at certain angles when it catches the light.

Some pics;-















Overall, I really chuffed.


Guy


PS> Did you notice the date being skew on the Raymond Weil in the Catalogue photo? Not an issue. Having wound it forward, the date clicked over @ 12 as it should. I'm not sure what I'll be doing with it as it is on the small side for me, approx 28mm x 32mm.

That is a real beauty Guy. My favorite color combo of the C1 options.

Do not polish that case as the gold plating is only 10 microns thick. A carnuba wax (not polish) will sometimes fill in some of the swirlies and enhance the look.

Kip wrote: ↑Fri Oct 30, 2020 11:47 pm . . . .

Do not polish that case as the gold plating is only 10 microns thick. A carnuba wax (not polish) will sometimes fill in some of the swirlies and enhance the look.

Thanks for the tip, KIp.

I was wondering whether it might be safe to get a Jewellery Polishing or Cape Cod cloth onto it.

Don't worry; I won't.


Guy

That's a great find

That’s a real beauty!

Excellent find. A lovely watch.

A great addition Guy !!
I do love the brown dial on this version of the C1 Russell

A great find, Guy. The original C1 Russell is a really handsome watch, particularly in this colour scheme.

A classic CW, Guy. Beautiful watch. Congratulations.

I am fortunate to own one of these C1's. I have only worn it maybe half a dozen times. But my son really likes it, so my wife suggested I give it to him for his 21st birthday. He will be really chuffed.

I don't wear it because it is a watch that is really too "posh" for my line of work, and the clothes I generally wear. When I do dress up I tend to wear my C5 gold cased. But I really like the Roman numerals, brown face.

A fine buy that man!

Thank you all for your kind comments.

In many respects I'm with @jimbo. Dress watches are not my forte, I only otherwise have a C5 MMXV FLE, which I have not worn in ages, and I have no other watch with any Gold in it.

Seeing it in the Auction Catalogue, it looked in reasonable condition albeit without box & papers (can't have everything). Research on the CWArchive confimed it as an early model; which I already knew. I like the brown dial (too), so I thought it would be a worthy addition to my collection; providing the price was reasonable and sensible. I won the auction comfortably within the top price I had set myself.

Oh happy day.


Guy

Sent from my Xperia 5 using Tapatalk

My C1 Russell and battery change photos:

That is a lovely looking "vintage" early CW Guy. The chocolate dial looks great with the gold case, very smart. Incidentally I also think that Titoni is a cracker too. You seem to be developing a bit of a liking for some gold in your watches, reminds me of a thread I started a while back...

viewtopic.php?f=8&t=52896

I happen to have this same watch with its original gold band. It has been sitting in my closet for over a decade. I just dont find myself sporting watches often anymore. Had no idea it was so sought after……I always found the dial to be quite beautiful with the gold case!

Number 0018..... wow! Congratulations on a fun find.