Noush wrote: ↑Tue Nov 07, 2023 12:13 pm Ah, the trip down (for me a relatively short) CW memory lane...
I discovered CW in 2018 when I was 'back in the market' for a watch. Mrs N had passed late '15 after a long, long, tiring and emotional illness (MS).
Watches were going to be my 'me something'. And look where THAT has taken me by gosh!

So for me this as much about the forum as the watch brand

And I think that's how I see what CW has become. Broader, deeper, in its range and especially ambitions. They can and do make watches now that make the industry and market sit up and take notice. While the value is still there, even if not the bargains, CW is a brand of much greater stature.
No longer 'micro brand'. Brand.

A great post, Chris. I didn't know the story about your wife, that must have been truly devastating at the time.

I've highlighted one of your remarks in red, because that is certainly me. I still don't own a CW, and aI find my watch ambitions taking me in different directions so I'm not sure that ownership will ever be realised. And, I agree with your comment about CW being a brand that other competitors take notice of. They haven't invented the wheel, they've just put some nice white wall tyres on it.

Des

nbg wrote: ↑Mon Nov 06, 2023 10:01 pm

Amor Vincit Omnia wrote: ↑Mon Nov 06, 2023 6:58 pm Caller’s dilemma with identifying his watch, and Guy’s answer, remind me of one thing that has changed…SKU codes have become VERY complicated!

I used to know what GWT or SKK meant (gold case/white dial/tan strap or steel/back/black). Nowadays I keep seeing SOKKO, BOBBO and various other combinations and I have to look them up every time!

I have never had an inkling of the meaning of CW SKU codes. Ditto with Omega and Seiko reference numbers.

On the other hand, the likes of…

114270, 124270, 16200, 16570, 16700, 16710, 126710, 126711, 5512, 5513, 14060M, 114060, 124060, 16520, 116520, etc.. are acceptable and instantly recognisable models.

Neil

I remember one of the earliest pieces of work advice I was ever given. I was told to make sure that I worked for a company where my efforts were recognised and I would be known by my name and not just being a number. Somehow it seems that fans of Rolex didn't get the same memo, Neil.

Des

I bought my first CW ten years ago. As is often the case with forumites, a number of others followed in quick succession. During a showroom visit at the time I tried on all of the models available at the time.

I have just looked at the models currently shown on the website. There look to be about 30 core variations - counting different sizes and case materials as different models, but ignoring different dial colours and strap options.

I would happily own and wear about 2 dozen of those models, in preference to any CW available prior to 2019.

Neil

I have a C60 #tide and two of the newer, thinner C300's in black and white, respectively. The only other watch outside of the Trident line that has really grabbed me recently is the Aquitane. I have the GMT model - in "Orca Black". This relatively new watch is the pride of my collection, and the one that garners the most compliments. I have ordered all of my CW's on bracelets, but have three of the CW rubber/nylon hybrids and two of their vintage oak leather straps. The Aquitane lives mostly on the black/red hybrid which really complements the colour of the black face and the bright red GMT hand. The C60 #tide, lives mostly on the dark blue hybrid, and the white C300 lives mostly on the black leather strap. That leaves the Black C300 on the bracelet, whic shows it off nicely. The interchangeable straps and bracelets, which came along relatively recently, provide different combinations, which ensures you never get bored with any particular one.

Amor Vincit Omnia wrote: ↑Mon Nov 06, 2023 6:58 pm Caller’s dilemma with identifying his watch, and Guy’s answer, remind me of one thing that has changed…SKU codes have become VERY complicated!

I used to know what GWT or SKK meant (gold case/white dial/tan strap or steel/back/black). Nowadays I keep seeing SOKKO, BOBBO and various other combinations and I have to look them up every time!

Ah....the SKU codes.
Yes they have changed hugely, not for the better either I feel.
I remember back in the days when with the help of some other great members that I used to do the eBay listings and it was very easy to put in the correct SKU for the advertised watch but when they went to the new type SKU I was baffled and had to consult the CW website every time to try and get it. Now of course with the extremely invaluable CW Archive, we have all this info in one place.

I have been over twelve years on the forum and since I bought my first CW.
This was a C70 Ad Astra C70-RAFAA-SMK for the princely sum of just £125 !
Of course the price point has changed a lot but I feel the quality has gone up hugely too.
Saying that some of the early CWs had incredible detail on the dials for such a low price point, for instance my C9 GMT, C9-GMT-SST.

Didn’t realise it’s seven and a half years I’ve been on the forum so a fair chunk of the 12.

CW has changed quite a bit, in the earlier days they had a wide range of models, quite a few bright, fun watches and this included a full ladies range although was on its last legs when I joined. There were also plenty quartz models which again have now long gone.

The eponymous CW himself and his lovely wife Wera have even quite long gone now, and I’m not sure doing what after the Tribus venture went south.

The brand has certainly grown up, there is still a pretty decent and varied range with field, diver, chrono and speciality/dressier watches such as the BC and new Moonphase. The watches have definitely improved in quality and of course price.

There have been some haute horological forays including the Armin Strom collaboration for the Concept and the GPHG win with the BC, great achievement when you look back to where the brand came from in a relatively short period.

Of course Chris Ward has left, a significant investment from private equity investors and perhaps the company now is much more commercially focussed. Prices are higher reflecting the higher quality and development costs, and it does now seem to be profit making which I think is a far healthier position than they were a couple of years ago.

I think it’s pleasing to see CW in its current position, yes the watches may be a bit less attainable to all, thinking back to the days of vouchers and half price summer sales when you might buy a couple of watches at a time, it’s now a more thought through and reasoned purchase.

There are just my ramblings whilst on a train to Glasgow on a miserable rainy Monday morning