This should hopefully fuel a lively debate…

Back in September, reviewing my newly acquired C63 Sealander GMT, I finished with the following:

My conclusions: I’m going to stick my neck out here and say that I think this is the best CW watch I have owned.

I can’t say that it is CW‘s best ever watch, because I haven’t experienced most of them, except fleetingly in Declan‘s Room of Wonders, or on display or adorning another person’s wrist at a GTG. There may well be other worthy and viable candidates for that accolade for all sorts of reasons. However, I think that the C63 range in general has to be right up there.

You will notice that I hedged my bets slightly because I couldn’t come right out and call it CW’s best ever watch. So I limited the accolade to my own personal experience.

Well, six months on and my personal best ever CW may have a rival. I am aware that the New Watch Love Goggles are still on, but I am really taken with my latest arrival, the C9 SH 21 Small Seconds Chronometer. Early days, but first indications are that this could well turn out to be a real winner. I kicked myself for not buying one when they were introduced, and I’m thrilled to have one now. I’ve heard lots of great things about the SH 21 movement, so now it’s time to see for myself. Set at midday yesterday, this is how it looks after 30 hours. Doing what it says on the tin, I think.

Again, I’m limiting my judgements to my own experience. I have no doubt that the Concept and the Single Pusher Chronograph, among others, will have their supporters. And I’m sure there will be others.

I have said my bit so I will sit back and enjoy this. We are not counting and we are not keeping score; just having a bit of fun.

What is your best ever?

Go for it!

Admittedly I also have new watch loved up goggles on but at the moment my ocean blue sc. the style and design is very strong but the dial is out of this world. Pictures can’t put across what this dial does.
There may be more technically viable answers but of all the many cws I have had this is the no 1 as things stand

I don't have one!
OK I do have a few CWs but I don't have a constant favourite or best.

• I love my C9 Harrison chrono (big blue) for the dial colour but its difficult to read and a big beast
  Really like look and interest of the C9 AM GT but its a bit too thick to be ideal
  C60 my 2.5 great divers watch and very well built but maybe a bit generic
  C65 with red bezel is one of the most comfortable to wear and understated attractive but lacks a bit of 'pop'
  The c9 (red 12) FLE handwind gets it right on many levels and I really enjoy it but...
  C10 FLE, fabulous but bezel is a bit shiny
  C7 Rosso Corsa, wrong markers/numerals but good red
  Etc.... I could go on (yes I usually do).

In summary I haven't found a CW that is 'the best' yet, each has elements I really enjoy but none is head and shoulders above the others and all have minor weaknesses.
That said, within its sector I do think your C9 SH 21 Small Seconds Chronometer stands out as elegant, cohesive, interesting, well proportioned and pretty fabulous I haven't owned one but its been on my watch (excuse the pun) list since I first saw one.

I have 25 CW watches now and my favourites change with my mood. I do have challenges in life which affect my mental state but my favourite(s) watch(s) are often those that lift my mood. I love the yellow or orange blush C60 MK2 316L LE watches. I managed to recently buy an absolute mint orange blush so for tonight I will nominate this for my best CW watch xx

My choice is the C7 Rapide Chronograph.

I must admit that the small seconds C9 that Steve mentioned is one of their best, but there are two particular models that fit the “best” in my books. For a long time, the burnt Orange C60 Kingfisher was “the” CW for me, but I must admit that the green C63 GMT is now up there with it. I’m finding it difficult to pick between the two of them, so I won’t…

I would have to agree with you, Steve.
For me, the C63 GMT is probably my favourite CW that I've owned.
I had always liked the C63 range, but like many, feared it was a bit on the small side. I then bought one a couple of months ago, in the hope of it replacing a few outgoings I had planned (for a big purchase). My thinking was, sel off 3 or 4 watches and have 1 which would be my daily wear. Then use the proceeds to put towards a BB58.
And so far, I have to say my plan is working. I love wearing it during the week, for a couple of reasons. It's extremely comfortable. And it just looks so damn smart.
I had an old C65 GMT, which I loved. But something about the hands always bothered me. This has sorted that issue for me.
I think CW absolutely nailed the C63.

If I were put on the spot I would say my best is my c63 Colchester...this is the first non stainless steel watch I have owned and I love it.
The carbon case is gorgeous, and I don't get stressed about scratching it like I would if it was just a black coating, it's also incredibly light and comfortable on the wrist.
The forged carbon dial is beutifuly done, with the dial cut outs and internal bezel adding to the aesthetic.
The recessed crown gives the watch a different silhouette, and even though the crown is fiddly in use it looks great.
And the cherry on top is the cosc movement..
Overall a great watch with an original look and a great set of specs.

David.

iain wrote: ↑Thu Mar 03, 2022 8:26 pm I suppose you've deliberately kept that aspect to your question open and have limited your opening comments to watches you’ve owned. This therefore allows us to drift off slightly and widen the debate.

Absolutely right, Iain. As long as the answer is some kind of CW it’s right – apart from that there are no right or wrong answers.

Glad you’re getting along so well with the new CW, Steve! It’s a looker for sure. I hope to have an SH21 in my collection someday.

In my CW collection, the C65 Super Compressor in deep blue is my best ever CW. The dial has so much depth, it is truly stunning. The whole package does the trick as well, from the crystal to the case shape to the display back.
Honorable mention goes to my C1 moonglow.




Outside of my collection, I think the best design CW came out with was the C8 power reserve. I just love looking at this thing.

Hands down, the C8 Regulator. I knew I had to have one when they were released but having a wee bit of Scot in me, I was too cheap to pay full boat… thinking I’d try for one in the next sale. Unfortunately for me, they sold out fairly quickly and never showed up again on the clearance page and so the hunt was on. Over the course of a couple of years, I would check these pages, WUS, and eBay but never timed it to see one offered until one evening I typed in the eBay search bar “Chistopher(sic) Ward Regulator”. As fate would have it, my clumsy thumbs helped secure the CW of my dreams. You see, that misspelling led me to this watch and only this watch under those search parameters. It was offered as NIB at a low starting bid and in the end, it gaveled down at my starting bid price. I think eBay does a better job now of predicting what you’re looking for but back then, it was more particular about meeting exact search requirements and the watch did not show up if searched with the correct spelling amongst all the other CW’s for sale because of a listing misstep. As the seller had also misspelled Christopher in the description title, our serendipitous errors brought the watch home to me and a pretty fair story, to boot!

Picking a best is a tough call as I do have a few to choose from.

A most definite all time favorite is my C60 Trident Pro COSC 600 as it gets the most wrist time. Good looking, easy to read and always accurate. I also love the C60 Trident Pro Chronograph. It is a beast, but it looks great and, again, easy to read and use.

Long time favorites for simplicity are the C9 Small Second (simply stunning imo) and the C5 Slimlines. I have all colors in round and square versions so it allows great flexibility.

My most recent favorite is the C60 #tide. Just a wonderful package all around.

That C8 Regulator looks perfect - didn't know of that model but now it's on my list to track down. I've owned several Ward timepieces - more have passed through my watchbox than those that I have on hand now, and the one that has stayed the longest, and gets the most wrist time by far, is my C65 Trident GMT. The C65 case design feels like the perfect size and shape for my wrist, and I think the design looks great on the bracelet and on an array of straps.
I tend to prefer uncomplicated dials, though I like small seconds and interesting sub dials, I just don't generally love chronographs. That said, I have a thing for GMT complications. Though I don't travel across time zones frequently, I do work with folks in an array of time zones on a daily basis, so I find the GMT complication to add both a bit of interest and functionality without making for a fussy view.

Before the C65 Trident GMT entered into my life, I tried to make a few C60 Trident GMT 600 models work - I think of the MKII era - with the wave patterned dials available in 38mm or 43mm. I started with the 38mm and felt it too small and then tried both black and white dial 43mm and they just pushed the limit on lug-to-lug length for my 6.75 wrist. When the MKII came out in 38, 40, and 42mm I tried the 40mm C60 Trident GMT and I just couldn't fall in love with it - I miss the wave patterned dial. So I guess I could say one of the best watches for me would be one that doesn't exist: a C60 Trident GMT in 40mm with a wave patterned dial.

For me, my C60 Elite 1000 - guaranteed COSC accuracy, super-light titanium case to help keep its physical bulk down, more than enough waterproofing and it appears discreet enough to pass unnoticed when needed.



Oh, and it is just fine on its titanium bracelet, but it also looks the like the poodle’s privates on whichever of my custom made leather straps I throw on it.

Keep well,
C