I have a CW C5 Malvern purchased 9 years ago.
I am now seriously thinking of getting the 12(Ti).
However the advertising makes no difference to me, it is the technical details and pictures which are all available on their website that will help me make my decision. I also look at the review videos and articles on the internet.
Again, looking at 'Loupe' it was the articles and not the advertising page that drew me.

Hicksmat wrote: ↑Tue May 16, 2023 6:09 pm You're all forgetting Mike France etc have signed off on the advertising approach. The adverts I've seen for this watch are basically saying they make similar designed watches (to high end) for less money. That is homage territory. Just make your own thing in its own style at a competitive price point for where CW sit in terms of pricing.

I pretty much agree with this, and Christopher Ward has been known to advertise watches while referencing (both by name and pictures) their higher-end "counterparts". I hope they refrain from continuing to do this in the future, as I would much rather have the watches and brand succeed completely on their own merits. In my opinion it's a unnecessary and gimmicky tactic.

JAFO wrote: ↑Tue May 16, 2023 8:33 pm

WileyECoyote wrote: ↑Tue May 16, 2023 5:03 pm
If Christopher Ward is capable of making a high quality watch of this design, why isn’t this being done more often?

Delmar

Just a selected part of your post.

As far as I am concerned CW do already make high quality watches more often. The BC seemed to captured the zeitgeist, and led to a very favourable reassessment of CW, but the whole collection and back catalogue is bursting with desirable watches.

I have 6 CWs, and could easily have bought many more. The only reason to not buy all the CW watches I like is the sheer cost, and the fact that I would end up with too many to wear as much as they deserve to be worn.

I don't have an integrated bracelet watch. I'm not sure about the dial pattern itself, but reviewers haven't been complaining about it. If I do decide a want a watch in this style, I am sure I won't be looking elsewhere. However it's around £1000 that I don't need to spend urgently on an already burgeoning watch collection. There's a few other watches, both CW and non CW that are equally under consideration, and also purchases I don't have to make. (Which my wife frequently reminds me).

I couldn’t agree more. Not sure that you understood the intent of my post because I should have finished my sentence better. I agree that CW is making a high quality watch for less money on a consistent basis. My question was “if Christopher Ward can put out a high quality watch at a reasonable price, why don’t other brands do this more often?” In a way, it was a rhetorical question. Of course, other brands could do similar but they feel no compulsion to do so because they are having no problems selling at a higher price due to perceived brand status. My point being if you want prestige in your brand, prestige generally comes at a price! I believe that was exactly the catalyst for the founding of Christopher Ward. The founders identified that customers were being charged for prestige & thought that they could provide a high quality alternative using transparent pricing!

Delmar

With regard to CW advertisements, I have not paid attention to the text; my interest is usually peaked by the pictures. If I see something that may be interesting I'll then look for the price and specs on the website and 3rd party reviews.

Perhaps I am late to the party, and am unsure about forum etiquette reviving old threads. But I'm on topic.

I bought my last CW in 2014 and own the C7 Rapide Chronograph MkII V390, and the C8 Pilot MkII. The latter a wonderful casual pilot watch that still gets compliments today, fault free 10+ years on.

Anyway, back in the market for a watch and couldn't decide between The Twelve (blue or grey, unsure) and the Formex Essence 39mm.
I'm visiting the showroom in November to make my mind up.

I love the retro styling of the Twelve largely from the integrated bracelet, and slim dimensions of the Twelve. The dial seems to vary from overly busy to subtle. I find it really hard to judge in pictures and videos online.

Also can't judge 36mm vs 40mm for my 17cm/6.75" wrists. My C7 is a 42mm and it's perfectly sized in my opinion so I think the 40mm would be good? Again, so many varying experiences online.

It will also be great to see the 'new' Trident line. Always liked the orange bezel/black wavey dial Trident, but I see they ditched all that and have got their own CW design language. I find divers a bit too samey but curious to try one out. The other watch of interest is the Sealander GMT - I wonder how the Dragonfly Blue colour looks in person? It seems like an all round watch for any occasion.

I hope they don't drop a 38mm Twelve in the traditional colours, should I buy one!

Glad to have you back.

I suspect you will like the 40mm size if you are comfortable with wearing the 42mm size watches, or in your case the 44mm Pilot. I think when you visit the showroom you will find the Dragonfly Blue a stunning color.

If you want to buy a watch in person at CW towers, what forms of payment do they accept? Do they still offer PayPal 0% 12 months? Do you place the order online? I swing trade and would rather keep the lump sum.

^^^^ @lostguy

As far as I know the same methods of payment are available in the Showroom as online; simply because you buy online, albeit whilst you are in the showroom.

However, for the most authoritative answer you'd be best to contact CW.

Guy

Hi all, new CW [Bel Canto] owner & enthusiast and new to this site. I just thought I would add that as someone genuinely interested in and impressed by the brand, the Grade 2 Titanium strap turns me off. Grade 2 titanium scratches VERY easily, I would much prefer a CW Twelve X with Grade 2 case & Grade 5 band, and would pay a premium for such.

@chrisnyc75

Welcome. Do please visit the Member Introduction section and tell us more about yourself.

I’ve had the Twelve Ti for almost a year and a half now – in fact I’m pretty sure I picked up the first one to be sold at Maidenhead. I have worn it a lot, especially in the warmer months and exclusively on the bracelet.

It has been worn 24/7 on two holidays, as my only watch. It has been walking, swimming, climbing dunes in the desert, doing jobs around the house and garden, going to the gym and so on. It survived a trip/fall that could have been quite nasty for me, the watch, or both of us. Fortunately, it wasn’t.

Sure, the bracelet has a couple of fairly minor marks and one more noticeable scratch where I tripped up, but I’m sure that would have marked almost any bracelet. I have read that marks on titanium seem to lessen over time. I must say, they don’t bother me and I’m sure no one else could even see them. Although it is no longer pristine, I still think it looks good. The odd little ding doesn’t really bother me.

I finally bought a c12. Because of my 6.75 writst, I went for the 36.
first, I found it too small, but now I love it, it‘s a really nice watch!