Re: C65 Aquitaine Collection - Released

nbg · Post by **nbg** » Fri Apr 22, 2022 4:29 pm

JAFO wrote: ↑Fri Apr 22, 2022 4:01 pm Are Rolex bracelets that different?

On modern 6 digit reference models - yes, significantly so.

On older 5 digit reference models - are lighter and feel less substantial, but are very comfortable and certainly won’t fail on the wrist. Many prefer them to the modern versions.

For me a bracelet can make or break a watch. It’s all about the detail as to how they sit and feel on the wrist. I would happily take a high quality bracelet well fitting comfortable bracelet, without quick adjustment than one which some may assume is better, just because it has a quick adjust and QR mechanism.

I certainly think that having an appropriate taper is part of the mix.

Neil

Post by **Amor Vincit Omnia** » Fri Apr 22, 2022 4:31 pm

missF wrote: ↑Thu Apr 21, 2022 10:12 pm A lot of the discussion around ‘Christopher Ward’ text on the dial or no revolves around what we individually like, and pitting that against what someone else likes, and presuming a solution for Christopher Ward the company. We then feel entitled to add ‘I don’t know why they didn’t do it my way’...

A salient point. The forum has always been a little bit like that, and I remember having those feelings of entitlement in my early years here. But when I thought about it a bit more it began to sink in that not every watch CW designed or produced was aimed at me. I have applauded a great deal of what the company has produced, but I have come to accept that a lot of it is not for me, and that’s fine.

The Aquitaine watches are lovely, but they are not for me. I don’t really do dive watches though I like a variation of brands and styles in my box. There are people who think differently, and that is fine. I’m not disappointed by anything in the Aquitaine range, because I was never going to indulge anyway.

I think it’s great to admire without desire, and to be able to walk away without grumbling if some new product is not exactly what you wanted.

Oh, and I like the Swish-only. I found the previous word mark okay. I didn’t like the v.1 cattle brand especially, and I loved CHR. WARD LONDON. Others hated it.

Mikkei4 · Post by **Mikkei4** » Fri Apr 22, 2022 5:05 pm

A1soknownas wrote: ↑Fri Apr 22, 2022 10:55 am
...... or the logo set to the left rather than the centre it would generate a discussion.

Citroen in the 1980s did this with the BX and yes it was broadly discussed.

ssholloway21 · Post by **ssholloway21** » Fri Apr 22, 2022 5:09 pm

Amor Vincit Omnia wrote: ↑Fri Apr 22, 2022 4:31 pm
missF wrote: ↑Thu Apr 21, 2022 10:12 pm A lot of the discussion around ‘Christopher Ward’ text on the dial or no revolves around what we individually like, and pitting that against what someone else likes, and presuming a solution for Christopher Ward the company. We then feel entitled to add ‘I don’t know why they didn’t do it my way’...
A salient point. The forum has always been a little bit like that, and I remember having those feelings of entitlement in my early years here. But when I thought about it a bit more it began to sink in that not every watch CW designed or produced was aimed at me. I have applauded a great deal of what the company has produced, but I have come to accept that a lot of it is not for me, and that’s fine.

The Aquitaine watches are lovely, but they are not for me. I don’t really do dive watches though I like a variation of brands and styles in my box. There are people who think differently, and that is fine. I’m not disappointed by anything in the Aquitaine range, because I was never going to indulge anyway.

I think it’s great to admire without desire, and to be able to walk away without grumbling if some new product is not exactly what you wanted.

Oh, and I like the Swish-only. I found the previous word mark okay. I didn’t like the v.1 cattle brand especially, and I loved CHR. WARD LONDON. Others hated it.

Very good points. I guess for me, I knew I was not going to be into the Aquitaine because I was not into the C65 (except the chrono). I love dive watches but the Blancpain style is not for me. I think the upgrades are excellent.

jkbarnes · Post by **jkbarnes** » Fri Apr 22, 2022 5:25 pm

ssholloway21 wrote: ↑Fri Apr 22, 2022 5:09 pm I love dive watches but the Blancpain style is not for me.

That’s a point worth discussing. The standard established by the Submariner is so ubiquitous that’s it’s the default template for a dive watch. The new C65 so clearly draws inspiration from the FF that one needs to have some measure of love for the FF to appreciate and love these new models.

I’ve always loved the FF, so the new release naturally appeals to me. But I’m sure there’s a segment of the WIS world immediately cut out from the get-go by the design language. If CW was referencing Panerai’s design language, I’d be completely turned off.

dipidyy · Post by **dipidyy** » Fri Apr 22, 2022 7:06 pm

Each for their own I suppose. The design is right in my ballpark and I do love FF. It’s still Ward imo and they’ve done it well. Draw from iconic design and still adding something original.

But I am a sucker of vintage divers (non-sun).
Think the biggest gripe is that almost every microbrand has gone this path before and now some are saying CW has gotten lazy. Can be seen like that, but cmon, if design is drawn from these icons…there’s some that can be added without going completely off.

And to ppl complaining about expenses comparing to dartmouth. DM is in stock and thus unaffected by material costs. Seen 316 jump 25% in a month. Everything is still getting more expensive so old stock is ofc cheaper as it was done with old material costs. It’s a crazy world but I find the price being worthy with loupe coupon.

Lawrence · Post by **Lawrence** » Fri Apr 22, 2022 8:41 pm

By standardizing the hands they have effectively launched a 41mm C60 little brother line-up.

MattyyB · Post by **MattyyB** » Fri Apr 22, 2022 9:30 pm

Really enjoyed the preview earlier in the week and feels like it’s been a solid release. Not sure why, but it hasn’t quite clicked for me yet, can’t put a finger on it, it could be the hands which do feel very similar now.

Logo is fine with me but would like to see it applied in future models if possible.

So far the Bronze one is interesting me the most.

Great discussion!

ProfGlenn · Post by **ProfGlenn** » Fri Apr 22, 2022 10:08 pm

I've read the discussion and I agree with what others have said regarding other brands such as Omega and Rolex using the name and the logo etc, and I agree with one member that these also reminded me of the Tag Autavia - it was the first thing that came into my head when I saw the release. I love the green and cream colorway. Streamlined bracelet is a plus. I like the dry marshal touch. But, i am not convinced the domed sapphire bezel will be a big seller. I am also worried about abandoning the name on the dial. This was tried on the C7 range and i don't think it was all that successful? I could be wrong. But a lot went on sale. The logo is a truly brilliant logo, but i still think you need to see the name. I guess the real problem may be that when they decided on the new Christopher Ward rebrand, they didn't realise that the length of the name might turn out to be restrictive. Using it with (underneath, say) the logo is just unbalanced. If it had been Ward or CWard or C.Ward etc, then the logo and CWard etc would have been at 12 o'clock and history would be re-written. I hope I am wrong, but I think the use of the logo alone will turn out to be a problem. It does look tidy and, as I say, it's a superb logo. But I think you have to have the name on the front. I read what some said about the name being on the back. But who sees the back? I think the first light-catcher C65 was a game-changer and was definitely inspired by Oris. I don't know if some of the inspiration for this came from the Autavia (which I believe has been a successful watch) but I don't think this will be a game changer like the last c65 was. The green and cream is a lovely combination.

Lochinvar · Post by **Lochinvar** » Fri Apr 29, 2022 5:55 pm

C65 Aquitaine collection is certainly one of CW’s more visually appealing offerings. I can’t help noticing a passing verisimilitude to Rado’s Captain Cook range in particular the bezel and the triangular shaped hour markers at 3,9 and 12 hours . Well done CW, you may have another winner here

Wristy · Post by **Wristy** » Wed May 04, 2022 4:27 am

And yet another CW joins my most wanted list

Gar787 · Post by **Gar787** » Wed May 04, 2022 7:37 am

ProfGlenn wrote: ↑Fri Apr 22, 2022 10:08 pm I've read the discussion and I agree with what others have said regarding other brands such as Omega and Rolex using the name and the logo etc, and I agree with one member that these also reminded me of the Tag Autavia - it was the first thing that came into my head when I saw the release. I love the green and cream colorway. Streamlined bracelet is a plus. I like the dry marshal touch. But, i am not convinced the domed sapphire bezel will be a big seller. I am also worried about abandoning the name on the dial. This was tried on the C7 range and i don't think it was all that successful? I could be wrong. But a lot went on sale. The logo is a truly brilliant logo, but i still think you need to see the name. I guess the real problem may be that when they decided on the new Christopher Ward rebrand, they didn't realise that the length of the name might turn out to be restrictive. Using it with (underneath, say) the logo is just unbalanced. If it had been Ward or CWard or C.Ward etc, then the logo and CWard etc would have been at 12 o'clock and history would be re-written. I hope I am wrong, but I think the use of the logo alone will turn out to be a problem. It does look tidy and, as I say, it's a superb logo. But I think you have to have the name on the front. I read what some said about the name being on the back. But who sees the back? I think the first light-catcher C65 was a game-changer and was definitely inspired by Oris. I don't know if some of the inspiration for this came from the Autavia (which I believe has been a successful watch) but I don't think this will be a game changer like the last c65 was. The green and cream is a lovely combination.

Great post Glenn. My thoughts, for what it’s worth, is that the name still needs to be used on the dial albeit in the abridged style that you have suggested. My logic is that the name of the company still needs to be established, as does the logo, for a longer period of time. Another decade of producing good watches and thereby giving the name/logo more visibility and familiarity and perhaps then you maybe able to fiddle about a bit, but it’s too early right now and the name, on the dial is a must for me.

Post by **Amor Vincit Omnia** » Wed May 04, 2022 11:47 am

^^^ It’s one of many ideas that were expressed in Kip’s recent thread. However, the language and tone used in Loupe and elsewhere leads me to assume that Swish only is non-negotiable going forward.

JAFO · Post by **JAFO** » Wed May 04, 2022 12:08 pm

I expect "permanent" is a somewhat flexible concept. I imagine the level of sales achieved will always be the real determinant.

Post by **rkovars** » Wed May 04, 2022 4:36 pm

JAFO wrote: ↑Wed May 04, 2022 12:08 pm I expect "permanent" is a somewhat flexible concept. I imagine the level of sales achieved will always be the real determinant.

The numbers will be the final verdict.

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