I am looking to buying my first Christopher Ward watch. I had decided to wait for a refresh of the logo on the Dartmouth. Instead it changed into a redesign in the wrong direction for me.

Since then I have warmed up to the Sandhurst Bronze. However the case back on both the Dartmouth and the Sandhurst has always bothered me. I have no affiliation with the British military in anyway. So I contacted the sales team to see if they would replace the case back (at my expense of course). It took them four days to get back to me and the response was, "no we only ship the watches as they come" A simple case back change, which needs to come off for any service work, wasn't possible?

So now I am looking for an alternate. I want a simple robust watch without the diver aesthetics. I had considered the Hamilton Khaki in bronze or titanium, but then discovered it doesn't have a screw down crown. I would like a fair degree of water resistance, say 150+ meters like the Sandhurst. I would also prefer a no-date in the 38-40mm size range and with a decent grade automatic movement.

What should be on my radar? Or do I just get the Sandhurst and cover up the hideous case back?

Cheers,

M

It is an MOD approved design/acknowledgement so I can fully understand CW saying no to your request. Not sure what's hideous about the case back - especially as it is invisible when you are wearing the watch.

If it worries you that much then the Hamilton Khaki Bronze is a decent alternative.

I would definitely just get it and simply keep it on all the time so you can't see the back. I can't think of anything as good at the price anyway but I have to admit I wouldn't be able to get worked up about any case back / display back! Who looks at the back?

BobMunro wrote: ↑Fri Oct 28, 2022 1:59 pm It is an MOD approved design/acknowledgement so I can fully understand CW saying no to your request. Not sure what's hideous about the case back - especially as it is invisible when you are wearing the watch.

If it worries you that much then the Hamilton Khaki Bronze is a decent alternative.

I appreciate you taking the time to respond, but I explicitly said that the Hamilton Khaki is not in the running due to it not having a screw down crown.

Hideous is in the eyes of the beholder. In my case, the shield of an entity I have no affiliation with.

Cheers,

M

stefs wrote: ↑Fri Oct 28, 2022 2:27 pm I would definitely just get it and simply keep it on all the time so you can't see the back. I can't think of anything as good at the price anyway but I have to admit I wouldn't be able to get worked up about any case back / display back! Who looks at the back?

That is what concerns me - Christopher Ward hit a value/esthetics ratio that others can't seem to hit. Sure you could spend a lot more and get something (that is in one's own eyes) better.

Cheers,

M

I would wait a little longer... in the current issue of Loupe an Aquitaine based field watch is teased (P.11 I think it was on). I'm not sure that the revised Dartmouth is what the article alludes to as the picture shows a dial with indices similar to the Aquitaine but without a bezel. I'm still hoping that something less military themed and more adventure styled (like the black bay 36/41 Seiko Alpinist Nodus Sector etc ) is forthcoming . I too understand your dislike of the military branding, or pretty much any of the themed tie-ins (car names on the watch being another I'm not keen on) so I fully understand your point of view. Unfortunately it seems that this is the market place watches inhabit, heritage is everything apparently, and if you have none then branding collaborations help build it goes the theory I guess. Like you Id rather just have a CW case back. If the watches were army issue then it might make sense. Id like to meet the MoD man whose job it is to grant watch insignia licences to the likes of CW Bremont etc. Sounds like a great job...

@5oclockhero I had completely forgotten about the forth coming "field" watch. Thanks for the reminder. Maybe I will keep my money warm in my pockets for a while longer.

Cheers,

M

I had a C60 bronze in blue, with the onion hands. I now have the slightly smaller C60 green version with the distressed dial, which is still a current model, and I actually find more attractive. Both of these have an all bronze bezel, which I prefer with a bronze watch. It's gradually darkening to a nice dull brown. The golden highlights on the indices and hands sparkle very attractively, and I'm very pleased with this.

Just found the Loupe article on the upcoming field watch. Definitely not a fan of the Aquitaine styled hour indices (round).

Cheers,

M

Try looking at the 1959 themed seiko alpinists spb243 etc or maybe Nivada Super Antarctic (add 25% for import fees though). The Nodus Sector field is a slightly cheaper option. You could also consider the Serica 4512. That's all that comes to mind immediately

The Halios Seaforth bronze is worth considering if you can find one. Beautiful sunburst dials - I have the green. They do come up from time to time on eBay and aren’t ridiculously expensive c. £600 - £700

A suggestion for you, the Boldr Venture, and Venture Wayfarer, Automatic Field watches, available in UK from WatchGecko.

38mm
Titanium Case
Screw down crown
200m WR

There's even one available in the Forum Sales Corner

I've looked and these 'in the metal' in the past and have been very impressed by the quality at the price point. They're well worth considering.

Guy

I realy love the khaki bronze. I think that a push down crown is up for the job for most of the time. Just not for swimming.

Rikk wrote: ↑Sat Oct 29, 2022 9:14 am I realy love the khaki bronze. I think that a push down crown is up for the job for most of the time. Just not for swimming.

F517A18B-851E-4297-A620-C89FAEBFC407.jpeg

That looks great! However I will be swimming with my watch so even with its rated 100 meters water resistant rating, it sounds like it isn't suitable. Hence my requirement for a screw down crown.

Cheers,

M