Email received from CW this morning with a message from Mike France, CEO.



Guy

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Are they likely to increases prices for hundreds or even thousands of pre-ordered watches, such as BCs?

JAFO wrote: ↑Sun Mar 12, 2023 11:31 am Are they likely to increases prices for hundreds or even thousands of pre-ordered watches, such as BCs?

No.

That's surely the whole point of giving us the opportunity to buy now before the increase.

Guy

It's a sad but understandable time.

2%, 5%, 10%...any guesses? That is generally what has happened with other brands.

The removal of the voucher has already effectively increased the average selling price so with any luck that may minimise the increase but i get the feeling that it might not.

I guess about 7%+ with a sealander costing near the price of a c60 300, the c60 300 costing that of a c60 600 and that going permanently above £1k all with bracelet options.

Still competitive but also becoming a more difficult purchase decision obviously.

JAFO wrote: ↑Sun Mar 12, 2023 11:31 am Are they likely to increases prices for hundreds or even thousands of pre-ordered watches, such as BCs?

To mix sporting metaphors, that would be a spectacular own goal, which one assumes would lead rather quickly to batting on a sticky wicket.

Bahnstormer_vRS wrote: ↑Sun Mar 12, 2023 11:40 am

JAFO wrote: ↑Sun Mar 12, 2023 11:31 am Are they likely to increases prices for hundreds or even thousands of pre-ordered watches, such as BCs?

No.

That's surely the whole point of giving us the opportunity to buy now before the increase.

Guy

But I thought that was not the position with pre ordered AnOrdain watches which have been discussed here, and other brands discussed elsewhere, where a pre-order might be finally sold at the appropriate rate at delivery time.

Pre-ordered Bel cantos in particular may not be actually completed until 2024, I imagine. It's actually good of CW to stand by a fixed price that far in advance.

I doubt CW can change the price of orders already made and possibly paid for. Those are contracts already made between seller and buyer.

JAFO wrote: ↑Sun Mar 12, 2023 12:34 pm

Bahnstormer_vRS wrote: ↑Sun Mar 12, 2023 11:40 am

JAFO wrote: ↑Sun Mar 12, 2023 11:31 am Are they likely to increases prices for hundreds or even thousands of pre-ordered watches, such as BCs?

No.

That's surely the whole point of giving us the opportunity to buy now before the increase.

Guy

But I thought that was not the position with pre ordered AnOrdain watches which have been discussed here, and other brands discussed elsewhere, where a pre-order might be finally sold at the appropriate rate at delivery time.

Pre-ordered Bel cantos in particular may not be actually completed until 2024, I imagine. It's actually good of CW to stand by a fixed price that far in advance.

Because of the situation AnOrdian where you have to join a waiting list to purchase any of their products, they have clearly stated the price you end up paying may increase before your watch is ready.

Our prices currently range between £1600 and £3000, depending on the specific model. Due to the length of the waiting list and the inflation risk, product prices may rise before you pay the remaining balance for your watch. We’ll cap any price increase at a maximum of 5% per year, reviewing pricing in September of each year.

I can’t recall ever seeing anything similar on the Christopher Ward website. I’ve already pre-paid the price in full for the upcoming 2023 FLE Sealander which won’t be ready until after the increase and have to admit I wouldn’t be too happy if they demanded more money when it is ready for despatch.

Any orders already placed will be at the agreed price, it's how the likes of CW operate. Hence the heads up for incoming price rises; any new orders after that point will be at the new prices.

As for what the rise will be, I'd guess at around £100 more for most, even the more affordable end of the scale. CW have clearly been absorbing the extra cost of doing business for 12+ months, so there will need to be an honest reset. The halo models up by £200.

In the grand scheme of things, the CW value proposition will remain fantastic.

I appreciate the advance notice. It’s been a year since the last retail price increase for CW. I see it as a normal expectation from any ongoing business. So, what is everyone buying in this “discount” window before April?

The

The price increase has prompted me to purchase the C65 Dune this month instead of waiting till June as previously planned.

I guess I should thank CW, I will soon have a new fantastic watch on my wrist.

I had been debating ordering the bracelet for my C60 Pro 600. With that email this morning, I actually got on and ordered it. I can defiantly understand why the increase is coming and am very appreciative of the notice. A price increase won't stop me from buying more CW's (still eyeing up the C65 Bronze Sealander) might just slow me down a bit!