I've seen the original 12X enough times now to know what it looks like. I know I prefer the SE shown above. This is bad timing from the brand. Had there been a six month gap from customers receiving the original series watch (i.e., the SE launched in April 2025) then I wouldn't have minded. I am aware that CW can say "Oh, but we waited 6 months from the launch of the 12X..." but in real life they launched the SE before many, if any of the launch customers have actually received their watches. I am well aware of the production problems with the 12X. These were beyond CW's control but this SE launch is too soon as it occurred right about the time that the original watches were due to be in people's hands. I haven't even had time to get used to the original one and now a nicer one has popped up. Bad optics. It's like deflation. Why buy now when prices will be lower tomorrow? Why buy now when a nicer watch can appear tomorrow. CW are seldom this careless but this is "bad form". They hinted at limited editions back in April but this is taking the mickey (stronger words omitted).

I saw it on Friday and throughout the presentation I said "take my money" and the lovely folk at Christopher Ward obliged. Now, I am torn as I would like the Ti version - but I will hold out for delivery of the SE and decide from there.

I much prefer the black finishing and titanium of the original.

I do though think that it is rather clumsy from CW.

My only interest in limited editions is if I like the watch more than a non LE version.

The limited nature is irrelevant from my perspective.

I imagine there will be further versions of the 12X in due course.

Neil

Freddie wrote: ↑Mon Oct 28, 2024 2:33 pm I saw it on Friday and throughout the presentation I said "take my money" and the lovely folk at Christopher Ward obliged. Now, I am torn as I would like the Ti version - but I will hold out for delivery of the SE and decide from there.

Same here.
I hope to handle the Ti version at the Mcr watch show in a few weeks' time to aid my decision.

Oddly enough I'm not bothered about the steel or the titanium. It's the hands that do it for me. I think the SE will be more legible on wrist and overall the use of colour lifts the watch.

Now that we’ve seen the looming SE with color, I kinda want to initiate a bespoke 12X Ti LE with red or gold accents. Anyone with me?

j/k, the Skele-Twelve is nice but not a watch for me.

There is a launch "Act II" on Oct 31st. I don't know if this is same. I also see there is pre-order for C12X(Ti) - $4850. This is for end of December delivery.
https://www.christopherward.com/int/the ... K0-B0.html

Things are happening in CW world.

ConfusedAussie wrote: ↑Mon Oct 28, 2024 7:10 pm There is a launch "Act II" on Oct 31st. I don't know if this is same.

It's not the same. The launch date for the Twelve X Steel Special Edition has not yet been announced.

ConfusedAussie wrote: ↑Mon Oct 28, 2024 7:10 pm I also see there is pre-order for C12X(Ti) - $4850. This is for end of December delivery.
https://www.christopherward.com/int/the ... K0-B0.html

That is the original Twelve X model that was launched in April, although I'm not sure that any have actually been delivered yet. It is an open series which can be pre-ordered, with a delivery estimate of end of December for current orders.


I hope that clears up any confusion.

Well that little birdie flew right past my tree!

Obliged to Guy and others for the details of the heavy stainless version of the Twelve X which suffice to enable me to look forward to the Act II item and not back.

I was talking to CW CS yesterday to confirm cancelation of my Ti 12X and then the switch to the steel one. It seems I'm not alone in doing this. I was told that "Quite a few folk have done this". This was just clumsy by the brand. had they delayed the steel until January or February then they would have kept the Ti 12X orders which must be quite well advanced in the production pipeline by now.

albionphoto wrote:I was talking to CW CS yesterday to confirm cancelation of my Ti 12X and then the switch to the steel one. It seems I'm not alone in doing this. I was told that "Quite a few folk have done this". This was just clumsy by the brand. had they delayed the steel until January or February then they would have kept the Ti 12X orders which must be quite well advanced in the production pipeline by now.

. . .but then, wouldn't those who have switched feel miffed at not having the choice between the two models, plus it will allow CW to deliver orders for the 12X (Ti) earlier than previously expected.

Win, win in my book.

Guy

Sent from my Galaxy S23 Ultra using Tapatalk

rkovars wrote: ↑Wed Oct 30, 2024 3:07 pm
Except now you have spread initial orders over two models instead of 1 making recouping development costs harder for both unless they are both successful. That is a pretty big gamble in my book. It is also bound to stir up the Bel Canto crowd too. Once again here we are launching new models when they haven't delivered the first ones yet. I haven't seen much of this yet but it is early yet.

I suspect that the cost of the additional model is relatively low with the possible exception of the case. SH21 cost should already be factored in and the lack of a DLC coating might make this an easier build. The Stainless Steel 12X is a special edition of 250 and I would imagine they will sell out relatively quickly. I don't expect to see them in the 2025 sale for sure. This is not a 2nd "Al Deere" moment...

CW seem confident that they have fixed the Bel Canto problem. They claim 500+ units a month for that now. Building up the SH21 supply chain has been another headache but they seem to have got on top of that too. They understand what went wrong with the initial Ti 12X movements and their supplier should have fixed that by now too.

If the stainless steel 12X adds to the total number of watches sold then it's a win/win, albeit a clumsy one from a customer perception point of view. Since the 12X in either version is a series production watch then the costs can be spread out over a larger number of watches and I'm sure CW know what the break even point is.

CW have invested heavily in partnerships with hand finishers and so that won't be a bottleneck. This was a consequence of the Bel Canto. SH21 has had supply chain issues since 2020 and the brand have worked to get them right ever since. I am less worried about the costs of the 12X/SH21 following a chat with Jorg Snr at WindUp. However, as usual, time will tell. I will admit to being a bit "narked" over the timing of the announcement of the steel version but that has worked itself out quite well now. The optics were definitely bad though.