“The most important development for a British watch brand
for 50 years.”
That was the bold message sent out by Mike France, CEO of
Christopher Ward, speaking at the launch of the English watch brand’s first in-house
movement. It was a dual celebration, because the Swiss-made brand had also reached its
milestone 10th anniversary. Oh, actually, it was a triple
celebration, as the ambitious France revealed that Christopher Ward had just merged
with its long-standing supplier Synergies Horlogères.
Sitting alongside the company’s co-founders Chris Ward and
Peter Ellis at the launch party, held in London’s very English Charlotte Street
Hotel, France could barely contain his excitement as he told the media guests:
“This [the introduction of our first in-house movement] will be a huge step
forward for us. Together with the Synergies Horlogères merger, we now have the
perfect platform to make Christopher Ward’s second decade even more innovative
and exciting than the first.”
Having launched Calibre SH21 – variously described by
the team as “powerful” and “tractor-like” - future product developments will
include a chronograph (as soon as their young watchmaker Johannes Jahnke can produce
it, no pressure there then) and a power reserve indicator model.
Interestingly, France did not rule out supplying the new
in-house movement to other companies, but acknowledged that “the Christopher
Ward brand comes first”.
Calibre SH21, a certified chronometer, is housed in the new C9 Harrison 5 Day Automatic model, which forms part of the brand’s premium collection. Sported
proudly on the wrists of the co-founders at the launch party on July 2, the new
watch looks simple and elegant, with a clear-to-read face, and “not
over-fussy”, according to France. The dress watch, with an alligator strap,
retails at £1,500. France calls it "amazing value" for a watch featuring a five-day power reserve.
Take a look at the new Calibre SH21 and the C9 Harrison
model below:
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| Calibre SH21, the first in-house movement from Christopher Ward |
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| The C9 Harrison 5 Day Automatic watch incorporating the new movement |
