The C1 Bel Canto Classic, as previewed yesterday. Now available to order.

https://www.christopherward.com/watches ... A0-B0.html

Screenshot from CW Website:

@Amor Vincit Omnia when the teaser with the dates in Roman numerals first came out, I was going to make a joke about how they were making a watch with Roman numerals just for you. I even typed it out in the Reply box, but never posted it.

Watching the beginning of the preview last night where Mike France was talking about how the watch to be unveiled was a story of 2 old fogeys and wanting a more classic look, I began to realise that that was indeed what was going to be revealed! Couldn't believe it.

@asqwerth
I like gold, guilloché and Roman numerals. But the watch is not for me.

Up at 5am to take a (second) look! Looking forward to seeing everyone's thoughts, whether you were an original fan of the BC or not. For what it's worth, here's my two cents:

Generally I think what they've done with it is very nice. The changes to the dial appear, to a non-expert like me, to be technically complex and I applaud that. But (and this is a good "but") the overall effect is to not revolutionize the watch, which I think is the right move. With all of that said, it's amazing how some reasonably subtle changes take the watch to a whole new place - it looks so much dressier with the roman numerals and guilloche.

Am I considering buying one? Heavily. I just need to decide on two things. Firstly, whether it's enough of a departure from the original BC. And secondly, which color.

To the first question, I think it is. And linked to the second question, I think since I own the Cielo original, a different color will be enough variation to justify both, and I do seriously think they have different occasions for wear.

As to the colors...:
- The Oro gold is lovely and the contrast with black hands and beak is great. But it's just not for me.
- Not having contrasting hands on the Azzuro and Verde is a point of note. It's something I didn't ever pick up too much on the originals, but here somehow it seems more pronounced. With that said, I think the multi-faceted guilloche should provide enough contrast for the dials to be more readable
- I think my favorite overall is the Argento silver. I find the combination of the blue hands and beak against the silver lovely (dare I say it, almost Cartier-esque?). So I think I would plump for that one.

Now decisions decisions... I have bought a lot of watches already this year. I had in mind a Sealander GMT and/or the Bronze Trident next. So I have some thinking to do.

These are open series so maybe I can afford to take my time.

Best,
TB

Not keen on the “Oro” colour as posted above, but in Azzurro… yes please! Keen to see/hold/try on a Bel Canto at some point, but need to keep clear of temptation until funds are more available

Awaiting the inevitable comments regarding reintroducing limited edition colours to the same line of watches.

Amor Vincit Omnia wrote: ↑Thu Oct 31, 2024 9:07 am @asqwerth
I like gold, guilloché and Roman numerals. But the watch is not for me.

Do any of the other models tickle your fancy, or are you generally of the view that the BC Classic is not for you?

For me I do think the gold and silver models are very nice, and the silver is tempting me a teensy bit. But at that price, case size and thickness, my conclusion is that it is not for me or my wrist as well.

Trs1982 wrote: ↑Thu Oct 31, 2024 9:13 am Awaiting the inevitable comments regarding reintroducing limited edition colours to the same line of watches.

This was referenced in the preview, and the point made that the laser-etched guilloché platine gives it a very different look.

Amor Vincit Omnia wrote: ↑Thu Oct 31, 2024 9:19 am

Trs1982 wrote: ↑Thu Oct 31, 2024 9:13 am Awaiting the inevitable comments regarding reintroducing limited edition colours to the same line of watches.

This was referenced in the preview, and the point made that the laser-etched guilloché platine gives it a very different look.

Completely agree; that plus the added element of Roman numerals, for me, sets it aside from the original LE’s. Plus, I have seen people asking if those colours would ever become available again.

Due to an unstable video stream which kept freezing and rebuffering, I didn't catch the explanation Will Brackfield gave about why they chose not to have contrasting colours on the hands on the blue and green models. What was it?

@asqwerth

I tried on a Bel Canto at Maidenhead a couple of times. I admire but don’t desire. A bit big for my liking.

I like it.

Although not sure I need two Bel Canto. The original Azzurro and one of these new ones.

However if I did…

It would be the Oro.

Neil

asqwerth wrote: ↑Thu Oct 31, 2024 9:23 am Due to an unstable video stream which kept freezing and rebuffering, I didn't catch the explanation Will Brackfield gave about why they chose not to have contrasting colours on the hands on the blue and green models. What was it?

With the blue and green changing colour significantly based upon lighting and angle, their tests indicated that having coloured hands would not improve overall legibility, as coloured hands tended to disappear when the dial was displaying as darker.

Neil

I don't know the channel at all, but this video has some nice comparisons between the "original" and the Classic: