Watches that never made it past a prototype

Discuss Christopher Ward watches
User avatar
Richard D
Senior Forumgod
Senior Forumgod
Posts: 3448
Joined: Sun Mar 25, 2018 5:59 pm
CW-watches: 0

Watches that never made it past a prototype

Post by Richard D »

This being just one example that never made it into full production. This one is unique, no other was ever made.

Edit: when I picked this watch up Adrian Buchmann, the designer, told me that he favoured this over the production model. The dials are completely different as is the case finish. He felt it was visually stronger and for obvious reasons I agree.

2FB69B34-A3A7-487D-ABFF-AA585ED4AA35.jpeg
Richard


‘A gas station owned by Harland Sanders was the site of the first KFC in 1930. Motorists were served fried chicken at his own dining-room table.’
User avatar
Clach77
Trusted Seller
Trusted Seller
Posts: 2510
Joined: Sat Dec 04, 2010 10:40 am
CW-watches: 24
LE-one: yes
LE-two: yes
LE-foura: yes
LE-fourb: yes
Location: Wasting time on here.

Re: Watches that never made it past a prototype

Post by Clach77 »

The design did, but not this colour scheme.

Image
Trying not to buy any more watches...
User avatar
nbg
Senior Forumgod
Senior Forumgod
Posts: 13151
Joined: Sun Nov 24, 2013 6:43 pm
CW-watches: 14
Location: UK

Re: Watches that never made it past a prototype

Post by nbg »

One of one I believe.

An orange ceramic bezel proved a step too far.

Bought at an archive event in 2015.
B642505D-4DC9-426F-A4D8-4F02DC45398C.jpeg
Neil
Other watch forums of interest:
TZ-UK
User avatar
gaf1958
Trusted Seller
Trusted Seller
Posts: 12431
Joined: Sat Jun 16, 2012 6:24 am
CW-watches: 24
Location: ɐᴉlɐɹʇsn∀ 'ʇsɐoƆ ǝuᴉɥsunS

Watches that never made it past a prototype

Post by gaf1958 »

Image
Image

Another one of a kind prototype, no others made. It has a lighter orange mid-case than the one fitted to the all black LE Hornet, matching the orange hand and 10 minute track on the blue dial.
CW C1+2xC3+6xC6/60K+C7+C11+3xC60T+2xC65+C90+2xC600
Omega Ω 11xSpeedy+14xSeamaster+4xConnie+DeVille
Cartier+2xPanerai+2xFarer+2xOris+Sinn+11xSeiko+ManyVintage
B&R+Halios+5xVisitor+TagH+6xTissot+2xZelos+4xCertina+more
Family12xCW+2xΩ+Cartier
MarkingTime
Senior Guru
Senior Guru
Posts: 550
Joined: Fri Jul 21, 2017 7:19 pm
CW-watches: 4

Re: Watches that never made it past a prototype

Post by MarkingTime »

I think they're great, but it may be their uniqueness that makes them attractive.

I wonder how well they would have sold had they been given a production run?
User avatar
Richard D
Senior Forumgod
Senior Forumgod
Posts: 3448
Joined: Sun Mar 25, 2018 5:59 pm
CW-watches: 0

Re: Watches that never made it past a prototype

Post by Richard D »

MarkingTime wrote: Sun Sep 13, 2020 9:21 am I think they're great, but it may be their uniqueness that makes them attractive.

I wonder how well they would have sold had they been given a production run?
I was offered £20k for this one, mind you it was attached to a severed arm.

98883DED-81D4-4035-8B45-B7402F02E639.jpeg
650CC8C4-95DF-4083-8C0A-E4DE57753639.png
Last edited by Bahnstormer_vRS on Sun Sep 13, 2020 3:16 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Reason: Attached photos 'Placed in Line'
Richard


‘A gas station owned by Harland Sanders was the site of the first KFC in 1930. Motorists were served fried chicken at his own dining-room table.’
Squalus
Expert
Expert
Posts: 206
Joined: Fri Aug 12, 2016 2:08 am
CW-watches: 6

Re: Watches that never made it past a prototype

Post by Squalus »

Richard D wrote: Sun Sep 13, 2020 3:10 pm

I was offered £20k for this one, mind you it was attached to a severed arm.


98883DED-81D4-4035-8B45-B7402F02E639.jpeg

650CC8C4-95DF-4083-8C0A-E4DE57753639.png
Is this watch an Abyss prototype?!?
User avatar
Amor Vincit Omnia
Moderator
Moderator
Posts: 33793
Joined: Sat Jun 11, 2011 7:34 pm
CW-watches: 4
Location: Norfolk, UK

Re: Watches that never made it past a prototype

Post by Amor Vincit Omnia »

I just posted in another thread that generally I prefer the final production models to these prototypes. There has to be an exception, however.

Looks like that one would cost you an arm and a leg.

Image
Steve
Linguist; retired teacher; pilgrim; apprentice travel writer

Take nothing but pictures, leave nothing but footprints, kill nothing but time


Avoid loud and aggressive persons; they are vexatious to the spirit. (Max Ehrmann)
User avatar
Richard D
Senior Forumgod
Senior Forumgod
Posts: 3448
Joined: Sun Mar 25, 2018 5:59 pm
CW-watches: 0

Re: Watches that never made it past a prototype

Post by Richard D »

Squalus wrote: Sun Sep 13, 2020 4:58 pm
Richard D wrote: Sun Sep 13, 2020 3:10 pm

I was offered £20k for this one, mind you it was attached to a severed arm.


98883DED-81D4-4035-8B45-B7402F02E639.jpeg

650CC8C4-95DF-4083-8C0A-E4DE57753639.png
Is this watch an Abyss prototype?!?
No, this prototype was around for a few years before the Abyss appeared. The Wasp has an helium escape valve and shares the MK2 case.
Richard


‘A gas station owned by Harland Sanders was the site of the first KFC in 1930. Motorists were served fried chicken at his own dining-room table.’
User avatar
Richard D
Senior Forumgod
Senior Forumgod
Posts: 3448
Joined: Sun Mar 25, 2018 5:59 pm
CW-watches: 0

Re: Watches that never made it past a prototype

Post by Richard D »

Amor Vincit Omnia wrote: Sun Sep 13, 2020 5:02 pm I just posted in another thread that generally I prefer the final production models to these prototypes. There has to be an exception, however.

Looks like that one would cost you an arm and a leg.

Image
I don’t think there is any other watch in my collection that has created more interest than the Wasp both from enthusiasts and the curious. And to think I nearly did not buy it.
Richard


‘A gas station owned by Harland Sanders was the site of the first KFC in 1930. Motorists were served fried chicken at his own dining-room table.’
User avatar
Amor Vincit Omnia
Moderator
Moderator
Posts: 33793
Joined: Sat Jun 11, 2011 7:34 pm
CW-watches: 4
Location: Norfolk, UK

Re: Watches that never made it past a prototype

Post by Amor Vincit Omnia »

^^^ You made a good call, Richard. It’s a stunner!
Steve
Linguist; retired teacher; pilgrim; apprentice travel writer

Take nothing but pictures, leave nothing but footprints, kill nothing but time


Avoid loud and aggressive persons; they are vexatious to the spirit. (Max Ehrmann)
User avatar
jkbarnes
Senior Forumgod
Senior Forumgod
Posts: 7852
Joined: Wed May 24, 2017 8:39 pm
CW-watches: 3
Location: Virginia, USA

Re: Watches that never made it past a prototype

Post by jkbarnes »

Is there a section in the CWArchives that documents prototypes that have been sold? And if there isn’t, what about creating a collection for released prototypes? I’d find that interesting: note which range it was a prototype for and maybe a bit of provenance about each item.
Drew
User avatar
Wintersports
Senior
Senior
Posts: 160
Joined: Mon Feb 12, 2018 2:20 am

Re: Watches that never made it past a prototype

Post by Wintersports »

I ve a prototype C60 - New logo but with old bezel and a 0000 serial no.

Image
Image

Not the best pics, happened to be wearing as I spotted the thread and was at the keyboard.
C7 Rapide Mk2,
Tag Aquaracer
Breitling Superocean Chrono
Omega Seamaster Vintage 1947
Panerai on Metta Catharina Strap
Cartier Santos - worn by Mrs
Two Steinharts, Phoibos, Keinzle
Parnis. Heimdallr Willard, Steeldive bronze... all boys' toys
User avatar
jkbarnes
Senior Forumgod
Senior Forumgod
Posts: 7852
Joined: Wed May 24, 2017 8:39 pm
CW-watches: 3
Location: Virginia, USA

Re: Watches that never made it past a prototype

Post by jkbarnes »

Wintersports wrote: Sun Sep 13, 2020 5:54 pm I ve a prototype C60 - New logo but with old bezel and a 0000 serial no.
With that serial number, you might find some of the discussion in this thread interesting, specifically this...
Kip wrote: Thu Sep 03, 2020 1:21 am A watch numbered 00, 000 or 0000 are pre production prototypes. Original prototypes do not have any numerical designation. These are the first ones built to insure that that all specs etc have been met before actual production begins. They do not count toward production numbers and are usually held until a closed series is sold out or an open series is well into production before being sold.
Drew
DaveTucker
Newbie
Newbie
Posts: 24
Joined: Sat Aug 15, 2020 4:45 pm
CW-watches: 3
Location: Bristol UK

Re: Watches that never made it past a prototype

Post by DaveTucker »

I have to say that the appeal of a genuinely unique watch is very strong. Maybe one day.....
  • Similar Topics
    Replies
    Views
    Last post