asqwerth wrote: ↑Sat Nov 02, 2024 1:21 pm

Kip wrote: ↑Sat Nov 02, 2024 10:47 am Just to answer a couple of questions that have come up...

Answers from CW.

Q: Will the new dial affect the sound of te chime?
A: No change to the chime. Seems if any difference, it’s immesurable.....

I watched the youtube video review by Chris [our forum member] and I think the new BCC's chime has slightly more resonant lower overtones. He played the chimes for both watches side by side.

It also seemed to be little louder (and yes I agree the note seemed to last a little longer - if that is what resonant means!)

This is a very lovely iteration of the Bel Canto. I don’t understand why it warranted a preview. It’s not a wholly new model or a dramatic evolution. I like the new dial, I like to Roman numerals (although a good point was made about maybe being out of step with the overall look of the watch), I like the new colors - but does all that warrant a preview? I kept waiting during the preview for Mike to say they’d made it in stainless steel and dropped the price or something. That would have been a significant change, in my book.

Just my $.02. It’s a lovely watch, and I find it more appealing than the original BC.

jkbarnes wrote: ↑Sat Nov 02, 2024 5:37 pm This is a very lovely iteration of the Bel Canto. I don’t understand why it warranted a preview. It’s not a wholly new model or a dramatic evolution. I like the new dial, I like to Roman numerals (although a good point was made about maybe being out of step with the overall look of the watch), I like the new colors - but does all that warrant a preview? I kept waiting during the preview for Mike to say they’d made it in stainless steel and dropped the price or something. That would have been a significant change, in my book.

Just my $.02. It’s a lovely watch, and I find it more appealing than the original BC.

I think it was perhaps to explain the evolution of the new model, and the techniques used to produce the dial. I found it very interesting and would have enjoyed a second view.

JAFO wrote: ↑Sat Nov 02, 2024 5:45 pm I think it was perhaps to explain the evolution of the new model, and the techniques used to produce the dial. I found it very interesting and would have enjoyed a second view.

That’s a fair point. I found the supply chain discussion to be the most interesting part.

jkbarnes wrote: ↑Sat Nov 02, 2024 5:50 pm

JAFO wrote: ↑Sat Nov 02, 2024 5:45 pm I think it was perhaps to explain the evolution of the new model, and the techniques used to produce the dial. I found it very interesting and would have enjoyed a second view.

That’s a fair point. I found the supply chain discussion to be the most interesting part.

And in the end probably the most important part

Yep the supply chain and use of a femto laser were the important parts!

Gives folk the opportunity to explain that their dial was produced by the same type of laser that is often used for corrective eye surgery.

I have already used that line when discussing the release with a few friends.

Neil

nbg wrote: ↑Sat Nov 02, 2024 8:26 pm Yep the supply chain and use of a femto laser were the important parts!

Gives folk the opportunity to explain that their dial was produced by the same type of laser that is often used for corrective eye surgery.

I have already used that line when discussing the release with a few friends.

Neil

My wife has a detaching retina which was spot welded back in place. Is that the one you mean?

JAFO wrote: ↑Sat Nov 02, 2024 8:40 pm

nbg wrote: ↑Sat Nov 02, 2024 8:26 pm Yep the supply chain and use of a femto laser were the important parts!

Gives folk the opportunity to explain that their dial was produced by the same type of laser that is often used for corrective eye surgery.

I have already used that line when discussing the release with a few friends.

Neil

My wife has a detaching retina which was spot welded back in place. Is that the one you mean?

Femto lasers are widely used in eye surgery, therefore likely used to fix a detached retina.

And yes David you should buy a Bel Canto…

It is a totally different watch to the other stuff we all wear. A far more interesting watch to look at on the wrist and make you smile than a typical dive watch, GMT, chronograph or simple three hander.

Neil

I have to say, I think this is truly inspired design by CW. IMHO it elevates the original BC. Personally I like Roman numerals, on the right kinda watch. And this is the right kinda watch. It's gonna make telling the time a much easier feat, too. The Oro and Argento are my favs and, contrary to 'Downer's Rules', I would only ever buy or wear one on one of the beautifully appointed leather straps. The website refers to the leather as being both German and Italian leather, but I would imagine that it is the latter. I've never spent 5k on a watch and always imagined if I did the movement would probably be my prime consideration. Probably in house, COSC or METAS certified and certainly with healthy PR, north of sixty hours I'd hope.
So Bel Canto Classic, you fail beautifully, but I find myself undeniably charmed nonetheless. I could forgive you almost anything.

Des

nbg wrote: ↑Sat Nov 02, 2024 10:21 pm

JAFO wrote: ↑Sat Nov 02, 2024 8:40 pm

nbg wrote: ↑Sat Nov 02, 2024 8:26 pm Yep the supply chain and use of a femto laser were the important parts!

Gives folk the opportunity to explain that their dial was produced by the same type of laser that is often used for corrective eye surgery.

I have already used that line when discussing the release with a few friends.

Neil

My wife has a detaching retina which was spot welded back in place. Is that the one you mean?

Femto lasers are widely used in eye surgery, therefore likely used to fix a detached retina.

And yes David you should buy a Bel Canto…

It is a totally different watch to the other stuff we all wear. A far more interesting watch to look at on the wrist and make you smile than a typical dive watch, GMT, chronograph or simple three hander.

Neil

I wasn't sure about the original BC, but over time you get used to seeing it, and so many people clearly approve of the BC.

This model does change things up for me though. I instantly approved of the guilloche treatment. I don't mind the Roman numbers. I like all 4 colours. The only one of the regular BC colours that appeals is the purple.

And yet, I think I would like the blue and green with coloured hands, and I keep thinking about a different colour beak with the gold version. CW aren't for allowing options,

So the downside with not buying now is that the price might go up a little. The upside is that a new variant may be released that appeals even more, my cash stays in my bank, and I don't have yet another watch to choose from every day.

Here's a closer look at the gold version—it looks stunning! Hopefully, someone will post a similar video of the silver version soon.

Also, considering both the Rolex Day-Date and Datejust are 12mm thick and still considered dress watches, an extra millimeter shouldn’t make much difference—especially with all the intricate 3D details under the sapphire glass. Visually, it shouldn’t look or feel any larger than those watches.

Here's my problem and maybe I'm alone here. I have the original (waited over a year for it), I knew it might be a little harder to tell the time with it, but I find it near impossible due to the hands just blending into its surroundings. The way I see it, CW got a lot of push back on this and "fixed it" with Act II. That's great but where does that leave us? Why I'm annoyed? I contacted customer service asking if I could send in my Bel Canto to have the hands swapped with the blue ones at my cost and basically was told sorry Charlie, that's how it came, and you're stuck with it. Honestly, I can't wear the watch because, imagine this, I wear a watch to tell the time. I get that I took the chance when I bought it, but I think they should give us the opportunity to update the hands so we can't actually use it.

Listen, if I'm alone hear I'll go away quietly, but does anyone else feel the same way?

Are the hands different on Act II that they actually can't be used on the original dial?

kcranmer wrote: ↑Sun Nov 03, 2024 10:33 pm Here's my problem and maybe I'm alone here. I have the original (waited over a year for it), I knew it might be a little harder to tell the time with it, but I find it near impossible due to the hands just blending into its surroundings. The way I see it, CW got a lot of push back on this and "fixed it" with Act II. That's great but where does that leave us? Why I'm annoyed? I contacted customer service asking if I could send in my Bel Canto to have the hands swapped with the blue ones at my cost and basically was told sorry Charlie, that's how it came, and you're stuck with it. Honestly, I can't wear the watch because, imagine this, I wear a watch to tell the time. I get that I took the chance when I bought it, but I think they should give us the opportunity to update the hands so we can't actually use it.

Listen, if I'm alone hear I'll go away quietly, but does anyone else feel the same way?

Are the hands different on Act II that they actually can't be used on the original dial?

As others have suggested, the brand should ideally offer some level of customization for these watches (which are more expensive than their other watches). Since they’re made to order, they aren’t pre-assembled and ready to ship—so allowing customers to swap existing parts, rather than requesting entirely custom designs, seems reasonable. As an online brand, a bit more flexibility could really set them apart. Perhaps if more people contacted them about this, they might reconsider?

kcranmer wrote: ↑Sun Nov 03, 2024 10:33 pm Here's my problem and maybe I'm alone here. I have the original (waited over a year for it), I knew it might be a little harder to tell the time with it, but I find it near impossible due to the hands just blending into its surroundings. The way I see it, CW got a lot of push back on this and "fixed it" with Act II. That's great but where does that leave us? Why I'm annoyed? I contacted customer service asking if I could send in my Bel Canto to have the hands swapped with the blue ones at my cost and basically was told sorry Charlie, that's how it came, and you're stuck with it. Honestly, I can't wear the watch because, imagine this, I wear a watch to tell the time. I get that I took the chance when I bought it, but I think they should give us the opportunity to update the hands so we can't actually use it.

Listen, if I'm alone hear I'll go away quietly, but does anyone else feel the same way?

Are the hands different on Act II that they actually can't be used on the original dial?

I've had an Azzuro Blue LE with the 'standard' hands and found the legibility perfectly acceptable.

When you received yours and found, for you, that the legibility was compromised, did you not have the option under CW's 60/60 to return it for a refund?

I don't believe that "CW got a lot of push back on this and "fixed it" with Act II" the Classic is a very different style of watch and, to my mind will appeal to a different demographic than original Bel Canto buyers. Personally, I'm perfectly content with the original and quite fancy the idea of getting a recently introduced Dragonfly dial version, but a Classic is not for me.

As you've found out, and has been covered several times already in the topic / thread, CW will not entertain any individual customisation for any of their watches. A similar remit to the likes of Omega, Tudor, Breitling et al no doubt.

Are you alone with this? Most likely not, but that's not going to change anything.

Finally, compatibility of hands? They may well be, but the only way you will find out for sure is to buy a Classic and find an independent watchmaker to try and execute a swap with your current one. For clarity CW will not supply spare parts to any third party.

Hope this helps,

Guy

I was very fortunate that my showroom appointment last week coincided with the release of the new Bel Canto Classic.

Declan had the green one on display which looked great. I'll be making another showroom apointment soon as I'd like to see the other colours, especially the silver with the blue hands.

Like many CW watches which play with light in spectacular ways, you really owe it to yourself to see this one in person.

As I moved the guilloché dial around, the light created striking shadow effects giving the Bel Canto Classic a deeper 3D look than the original.

However, I still love the original Bel Canto and bought one in Dragonfly blue on my visit.