Christopher Ward has extended its Aviation watch collections with
the launch of a series of new automatic and quartz models inspired by the best of British engineering. The new C8 Flyer echoes design elements from two
iconic examples of British 20th century technical innovation and ingenuity –
the Supermarine Spitfire and the Farnborough Wind Tunnels.
Firstly, the cockpit of the Spitfire incorporated the
Smith’s Mk. II A clock, which now provides the inspiration for the simple but
evocative dial language of the C8 Flyer. From the Spitfire to Concorde (and
Malcolm Campbell’s Bluebird hydroplane), the Farnborough Wind Tunnels played a
pivotal role in British aviation development. These structures, incorporating
magnificent, huge mahogany blades (600kg each) and monolithic perforated steel
surrounds, have been interpreted on the back-plates of the C8 Flyer using the
signature Christopher Ward three-dimensional deep-etched stamping process on
the automatic models and a laser-etched engraving on the quartz range.
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| Christopher Ward C8 Flyer Automatic Vintage Black Edition |
Blending British engineering heritage stories with modern technology
Presented in two stylish colour editions, Vintage Black and
Steel, the heritage-inspired design has a choice of automatic or quartz
movements, with options in dial sizes (38mm and 44mm) and straps.
The C8 Flyer Automatic Vintage Black Edition & Steel
Edition (44mm and 38mm) contains one of watchmaking’s most reliable automatic
movements (Sellita SW200/1 or the Eta 2824-2) and is encased by a marine-grade
black PVD stainless-steel case, which echoes the black case of the original
Spitfire cockpit clock. As with the Vintage Black edition, the classic
stainless steel case option, in marine-grade stainless-steel case, carries an
oversized crown, designed to make adjustment easier for the aviators’
glove-bound hands.
Meanwhile, the C8 Flyer Quartz Vintage Black Edition & Steel
Edition (44mm and 38mm) has a precise and reliable Ronda 715 quartz movement
encased by a precision-engineered, marine-grade stainless steel case with an
oversized crown and the same back-plate symbol created through a laser-etched
engraving.
Mike France, co-founder of the brand and an enthusiastic
advocate for British engineering, said: “The British aviation sector delivered
some of the most stunning innovations of the past century and we wanted to
respectfully celebrate that capacity for invention and engineering prowess
through the design of our new C8 Flyer collection.
“The design of the C8 Flyer blends two iconic British
engineering heritage stories with modern technology, complemented by our own
spirit of expression, and includes size options of 38mm and 44mm that we
believe will further open up the Aviation theme to a broader audience of watch
lovers.”
Across the range the C8 Flyer look is completed with a vintage
leather strap, incorporating a hand-sewn whipstitch or, for those intending to
wear the C8 over a flying jacket, a leather NATO strap.
The best of British engineering has resonated in a number of
the brand’s Aviation and Motoring models, including the recent launch of the C8
P7350 Chronometer, incorporating a piece of metal from the last surviving
Spitfire (P7) to have flown in the Battle of Britain.
The C8 Flyer range is priced from £550 for the automatic
model and from £299 for the quartz model. The watch can be pre-ordered at
www.christopherward.co.uk
