The C1 Bel Canto Classic made Christopher Ward change forever
Buffy Acacia- The Christopher Ward C1 Bel Canto Classic finally takes the brand’s famous chiming watch into full production.
- Huge overhauls to Christopher Ward’s supply chain were necessary to make this release a reality, and they were accomplished thanks to the success of the limited editions.
- It’s been given an aesthetic shift towards traditional watchmaking thanks to Roman numerals and a laser-etched guilloché-style dial, with prices starting at US$4,225.
At a glance, you’d be forgiven for assuming that Christopher Ward’s C1 Bel Canto was a six-figure watch. The chiming complication, the visible hammer and gong, and the levels of finishing on the dial are all hallmarks of Swiss watchmaking’s upper echelons, and yet here they are, present on a watch below US$5,000. It’s safe to say that the early editions in 2022 were revolutionary, and it led Christopher Ward to the first GPHG award for a British brand. Now, the new C1 Bel Canto Classic has seen logistical and aesthetic upgrades for a full production collection.
While the C1 Bel Canto Classic isn’t a minute repeater, and its movement is a heavily modified Sellita SW200-1, Christopher Ward has managed to emulate a taste of high-end watchmaking most collectors never get to experience. The visual changes to the Bel Canto pay tribute to the kind of traditional watchmaking which goes back centuries, even if this particular watch only exists thanks to modern, streamlined production and manufacturing techniques. For example, the new range of “guilloché” dials are actually etched with a laser, creating a hypnotic wave pattern with sharp, clinical points. The concentric circles emit from the two-handed sub-dial at the top of the watch, as if it’s the centre of a maelstrom. Roman numerals complete the air of classicism.
For me, the most intriguing part of this new release isn’t actually its own upgrades. The C1 Bel Canto actually changed Christopher Ward as a whole, as the success of that watch led to a doubling of revenue from 2023 to 2024 financial years, paving the way for drastic expansion. In order to go from a monthly production of 50 to 500, Christopher Ward had to reinforce its supply chain and staff up in a big way. Even its support network needed extra help, such as APJ, its finishing partner in Biel. The C1 Bel Canto Classic is full of hand-finished surfaces, and three people had to be hired and trained specifically for that skill alone – some things just can’t be replicated by machines. Christopher Ward also acquired a 20% stake in Paoluzzo, a local company specialising in CNC manufacturing.
From a technical point of view, the C1 Bel Canto Classic hasn’t changed much. The case (and optional bracelet) is made from grade 5 titanium that keeps it lightweight and durable, although the 30 metres of water resistance means it should be kept out of the water. It has a 41mm diameter with a 48mm lug-to-lug length for perfect balance between wrist presence and comfort. The calibre FS01 has at its core a Sellita SW200-based jumping hour movement developed for Christopher Ward, the JJ01, with an additional 50 components added by watchmaker Frank Stelzer to make it sing. It still has a 4Hz beat rate and a 38-hour power reserve, but a chiming module rings out on the hour, every hour. A column wheel is visible on the dial and actuated by the pusher at 4 o’clock, turning the chiming on or off so that it doesn’t wake you up at night. The gong runs along most of the dial’s perimeter, ringing out a tuned D note.
Christopher Ward C1 Bel Canto Classic price and availability
The Christopher Ward C1 Bel Canto Classic in four colours is now available. Price: US$4,225 (leather strap), US$4,540 (titanium bracelet)
| Brand | Christopher Ward |
| Model | C1 Bel Canto Classic |
| Case Dimensions | 41mm (D) x 13mm (T) x 48mm (LTL) |
| Case Material | Grade 5 titanium |
| Water Resistance | 30 metres |
| Crystal(s) | Sapphire |
| Dial | Laser-etched guilloché in gold, green, silver and blue |
| Lug Width | 22mm |
| Strap | Leather strap, folding clasp Titanium bracelet, folding buckle with on-the-fly adjustment |
| Movement | FS01, Sellita SW200-1 base with module, automatic |
| Power Reserve | 38 hours |
| Functions | Hours, minutes, hourly chime |
| Availability | Now |
| Price | US$4,225 (leather strap) / US$4,540 (titanium bracelet) |