Great review Bruce. Thank you! I own the blue titanium version and from personal experience I can say it is a truly great watch which punches far above its weight. It has the features and the finishing quality of a 7 to 10 thousand dollar watch without exaggeration.
Watches costing $7-10k usually have high-end in-house movements with more than 38 hours of power reserve... The SW200-1 is just a cut above midrange...
I have several $7k+ watches. If you leave out the in-house movement, movement finishing, COSC certification, and brand cache (marketing), there are plenty of premium microbrands that can produce comparable case work.
@@jaegermeister19687-10k is maybe a bit much, but i sold my Bb58 because it felt kinda cheap to me, particularly the bracelet. Forgetting the movement of course, the twelve definitely feels more premium than that did imo
Great review as usual Bruce! I think that the Twelve is one of the best releases of the last year and that it's a great watch. Definitely a step forward from the PRX because this one has way better finishings and a better wearability. I had a PRX (and loved it) but then I decided to sell it and my other 2 integrated bracelets watches (a Citizen Tsuyosa and a Maurice Lacroix Aikon) and I'm very happy with my decision, because the Twelve takes the best of each of them. You can't go wrong with this piece.
I own several Christoper Ward models. The bulk of them being from the early years when Chris and his wife were a part of the company with a more down to Earth approach. Still, I do have a few newer models and after handling this one to me it is very unimpressive. It looks like a handful of integrated bracelets models from different brands that are available. Spin it anyway you like about years of development, hype is hype regardless. I'm also not too crazy about the SELLITA SW200 movement, but that is a completely different story for another time. These brands put too much emphasis on "SWISS MADE" these days. Mike France has even mentioned how the cases and bracelets are made in CHINA. The same factory that likely makes parts for some higher end "SWISS" brands. Hats off to H. Moser&Cie for removing SWISS MADE from their dials. It must be refreshing to be free of the hypocrisy and shackles of using it
Brought the darker blue steel version and I’m very pleased. Brought as a smart / casual dress watch and it really does for fill that area. The Bracelet allows for very accurate sizing which is not the case with most butterfly bracelets. I brought second hand for a good price and felt safe doing so as there’s still 4.5 years left on the guarantee. Finishing is a much better level than any £1000 watch iv ever seen . I wound say it’s finish is around the Tudor, Longines level far above the 1st level of Swatch group like Tissot, Hamilton, Certina. The SW200 is fine but the Sw300 would have made it a killer and I would gladly paid a £100 more for a non COSC version. Basically a nicer more modern PRX with much more finesse and quality at a price some brands charge for a bracelet.
As DJ Khalid would say... "And another one!" Great video, Bruce. Happy New Year, sir! Before last year, I never thought much about CW as I found their designs and builds solid but boring. That all changed in 2023 with Bel Canto, the 12, and the Moonphase. CW killed it this year with their releases. I own the 12, with the grey dial, and, to your point, they've done a great job. Coming from someone who's owned a Defy classic, this watch on fit and finishing is not far off. What CW is able to do with their finishing at this price point is remarkable. The trade-off to keep the price reasonable is the Selita 200 movement. I get the decision. They had to cut cost somewhere, and since we dont "wear the movement," they decided to go all in on the fit and finishing. Wonderful release from CW.
Happy New Year Bruce! I enjoyed your review of this C Ward, and I am considering buying my first C Ward with the aventurine dial and moon phase in 2024. Several questions for you: 1. Is the aventurine dial moon phase, launched in Q4 2023, reliable and accurate? 2. Does it hold its value or depreciate rapidly once I buy it? Like a new car does? 3. Can I get it serviced in the US?
Happy New Year to you! Great review Bruce, as always. Thank you! I am interested for your opinion, is this better than a Maurice L. Aikon? I recall you reviewed that model as well. I am still missing an integrated bracelet model in my collection, but cannot go for the higher end options. Thank you. Regards from Hungary. Tony
Happy New Year to you and your family Bruce. Great video summing up a watch that offers so much for the money. I'd agree the only issue is the movement. I'd be happy to pay a bit more for the upgrade. As the Titanium is grade two I wonder are scratches a potential issue. However, it's great to see this company doing so well. To produce three watches in sucession, that has everyone talking is really something.
Really nice option. Agreed. Many of the high end integrated bracelet watches wear large. The AP often looks big and shackle like on people I've seen wearing them.
Great vid Bruce. Wondering what your thoughts are on the Nivada Grenchen F77? Can’t get it out of my mind after TGV covered it in his SOC. Would love to see a side-by-side of all three.
Great review, Bruce. Hopefully I didn't miss this, but how is the comfort around the clasp area? I've heard mention from a couple people that it sort of felt like it was digging into the wrist. Have you experienced that at all? I got to check these out at Windup Chicago and was highly impressed. They definitely feel more expensive than the price, but I didn't get to wear them all that long to know about longer term comfort on wrist.
Hey Bruce, great vid, just bought the c63 celest for my own collection and now in love with the brand. The Saxonia Aventurine was always a grail of mine so this dial is unreal for the price, love the bel canto too but got my eye on the c63 dune sand dial if you're able to get hold of one for review that would be awesome, thanks, vinny
Would love an updated review of the moonphase. I want it very badly but am still not sure if seeing the sunken panel in the back containing the moon would bother me or not
Really love this watch, looks like an affordable Czapek. Most people don't know that brand, so all good haha! But I just hate that big fat applied logo.
Integrated bracelet watches wear bigger. If you include the first links (which only articulate a little) it’s 51.5mm. I would say it wears like a 47-48mm lug to lug watch.
I am a great fan of CW (I own the BelCanto azzuro and a bespoke C65 Royal Marines Commando) but... I have decided so far not to buy the twelve for two main reasons: 1- For me the dial seems to be a little bit overloaded with this logo pattern (but I have not seen the watch IRL) and 2- as you mentionned, the SW200-1 that is clearly an entry-level movement in discrepancy with the overall style and class of this watch. I would trade a little less finishing on the case for the SW300 COSC on a thinner steel watch for 1200 USD
Would a version with SW300 COSC and less finishing be attractive to as many people? The finishing is why a lot of people prefer the Twelve to the PRX, and say it punches above its weight. The SW300 COSC also has a lower power reserve than the PRX Powermatic 80 so at a certain point the PRX is the better choice for people who care more about that. I think CW should offer SW300 as an upgrade option for however much it costs
I love your reviews man but I will say you got it a little bit wrong on saying that before this watch there wasn't anything if you wanted something a little bit more elevated with more detail. Frederickson High Life in my opinion is just as good if not better than this watch and it's been around for a while
Personally, I am afraid I can't spend more than 1k or 2k (after inflation) on newer brands such as CW, FC, Raymond Weil, Bremont, etc without true Swiss Heritage, and prices (both retail and second hand) seem to reflect this. Granted, they are doing best to bring originality and fresh alternatives to the table, but jumping on the prx band wagon feels just too opportunistic. My 2 cents.
Instead of simply _saying_ the 12 has better finishing than the PRX or the Aqua Terra has better finishing than the 12, I wish people would give specifics.
@@melissasmess2773 Yes, obviously. Your sentiment is exactly what content creators are relying on. Swallowing assertions without specifics. I want to know if the creator can specifically tell me why the finishing is better.
They have bias due to the brand names and cost. If there were a way to blind test a £1000 watch with a £5000, it would be wonderful to see how many watch reviewers fail
Very nice - only suggestions would be to make the dial a little more organic (less repetitive and industrial) and a new logo :) .... I like the Titanium versions more since they've got a little more visual complexity
I don't really like the dial. I think (I could be wrong) the dial is a repeat of Christopher ward's logo and if so, it seems a bit too much branding to me.
It’s actually a gorgeous dial color. I had this exact watch for a while, but sold it due to legibility issues. It’s beautiful but for me at least, was hard to read in some lighting.
CW is a nothing manufacturered brand, delivering some original designs and mimicking others, but really.. Oris, Sinn, anybody? CW brand name and logo is absolutely appalling design aesthetic, they are endlessly pushed and promoted TH-camr's and a Uk advert on TV said if you hadn't heard of CW, - 'do your research' - cringe!! Spun as British brand Swiss made (60%) I'm guessing and some will fall for this bollocks at the price point a significant demographic will buy them but to me they miss the point of why you buy a watches. Id rather look at my wrist and see Oris, Sinn, Longines, Seiko, it's a crouded sub 2k price bracket and good luck to CW you should buy what you like, but the brand and it's designs do nothing for me..
Great review Bruce. Thank you! I own the blue titanium version and from personal experience I can say it is a truly great watch which punches far above its weight. It has the features and the finishing quality of a 7 to 10 thousand dollar watch without exaggeration.
The CW is a great watch but I don't think you've ever held a $7-10k watch. There is still a clear gap between them.
Watches costing $7-10k usually have high-end in-house movements with more than 38 hours of power reserve...
The SW200-1 is just a cut above midrange...
I have several $7k+ watches. If you leave out the in-house movement, movement finishing, COSC certification, and brand cache (marketing), there are plenty of premium microbrands that can produce comparable case work.
@@jaegermeister19687-10k is maybe a bit much, but i sold my Bb58 because it felt kinda cheap to me, particularly the bracelet. Forgetting the movement of course, the twelve definitely feels more premium than that did imo
@@EmaratilfyMy Marathon’s SW-200 is running -4 seconds per day 😊
Great review as usual Bruce! I think that the Twelve is one of the best releases of the last year and that it's a great watch. Definitely a step forward from the PRX because this one has way better finishings and a better wearability. I had a PRX (and loved it) but then I decided to sell it and my other 2 integrated bracelets watches (a Citizen Tsuyosa and a Maurice Lacroix Aikon) and I'm very happy with my decision, because the Twelve takes the best of each of them. You can't go wrong with this piece.
I hope CW will release a titanium with a white dial in 2024
I'd happily take a titanium with black dial 😅
I own several Christoper Ward models. The bulk of them being from the early years when Chris and his wife were a part of the company with a more down to Earth approach. Still, I do have a few newer models and after handling this one to me it is very unimpressive. It looks like a handful of integrated bracelets models from different brands that are available. Spin it anyway you like about years of development, hype is hype regardless. I'm also not too crazy about the SELLITA SW200 movement, but that is a completely different story for another time.
These brands put too much emphasis on "SWISS MADE" these days. Mike France has even mentioned how the cases and bracelets are made in CHINA. The same factory that likely makes parts for some higher end "SWISS" brands. Hats off to H. Moser&Cie for removing SWISS MADE from their dials. It must be refreshing to be free of the hypocrisy and shackles of using it
Same with Bremont. Swiss made nowhere to be seen on their dials!
Brought the darker blue steel version and I’m very pleased. Brought as a smart / casual dress watch and it really does for fill that area. The Bracelet allows for very accurate sizing which is not the case with most butterfly bracelets. I brought second hand for a good price and felt safe doing so as there’s still 4.5 years left on the guarantee. Finishing is a much better level than any £1000 watch iv ever seen . I wound say it’s finish is around the Tudor, Longines level far above the 1st level of Swatch group like Tissot, Hamilton, Certina. The SW200 is fine but the Sw300 would have made it a killer and I would gladly paid a £100 more for a non COSC version. Basically a nicer more modern PRX with much more finesse and quality at a price some brands charge for a bracelet.
Nice and interesting. Curious why you’d prefer steel over titanium; for the shine and scratch resistance? Or weight? Or all? Thanks!
As DJ Khalid would say... "And another one!" Great video, Bruce. Happy New Year, sir! Before last year, I never thought much about CW as I found their designs and builds solid but boring. That all changed in 2023 with Bel Canto, the 12, and the Moonphase. CW killed it this year with their releases.
I own the 12, with the grey dial, and, to your point, they've done a great job. Coming from someone who's owned a Defy classic, this watch on fit and finishing is not far off. What CW is able to do with their finishing at this price point is remarkable. The trade-off to keep the price reasonable is the Selita 200 movement. I get the decision. They had to cut cost somewhere, and since we dont "wear the movement," they decided to go all in on the fit and finishing.
Wonderful release from CW.
Trying to decide between this and the Straum Jan Mayen
Very unique design, especially the pattern texture of the dial, very nice
Happy New Year Bruce! I enjoyed your review of this C Ward, and I am considering buying my first C Ward with the aventurine dial and moon phase in 2024. Several questions for you:
1. Is the aventurine dial moon phase, launched in Q4 2023, reliable and accurate?
2. Does it hold its value or depreciate rapidly once I buy it? Like a new car does?
3. Can I get it serviced in the US?
Happy New Year to you! Great review Bruce, as always. Thank you! I am interested for your opinion, is this better than a Maurice L. Aikon? I recall you reviewed that model as well. I am still missing an integrated bracelet model in my collection, but cannot go for the higher end options. Thank you. Regards from Hungary. Tony
Happy New Year to you and your family Bruce. Great video summing up a watch that offers so much for the money. I'd agree the only issue is the movement. I'd be happy to pay a bit more for the upgrade. As the Titanium is grade two I wonder are scratches a potential issue. However, it's great to see this company doing so well. To produce three watches in sucession, that has everyone talking is really something.
Definitely a good choice at around $1000. Amazing brand. Excellent video. Cheers.
Really nice option. Agreed. Many of the high end integrated bracelet watches wear large. The AP often looks big and shackle like on people I've seen wearing them.
I love the design of this one!
CW definitely achieved a new step with this one. Very nice.
Great vid Bruce. Wondering what your thoughts are on the Nivada Grenchen F77? Can’t get it out of my mind after TGV covered it in his SOC. Would love to see a side-by-side of all three.
Great review, Bruce. Hopefully I didn't miss this, but how is the comfort around the clasp area? I've heard mention from a couple people that it sort of felt like it was digging into the wrist. Have you experienced that at all? I got to check these out at Windup Chicago and was highly impressed. They definitely feel more expensive than the price, but I didn't get to wear them all that long to know about longer term comfort on wrist.
Hey Bruce, great vid, just bought the c63 celest for my own collection and now in love with the brand. The Saxonia Aventurine was always a grail of mine so this dial is unreal for the price, love the bel canto too but got my eye on the c63 dune sand dial if you're able to get hold of one for review that would be awesome, thanks, vinny
1:13 : ”until recently there wasn’t a good affordable option”
Tissot prx : crying in the corner
Would love an updated review of the moonphase. I want it very badly but am still not sure if seeing the sunken panel in the back containing the moon would bother me or not
Thanks Bruce. Don’t forget the FC highlife
Excellent review on the 12 , it makes me want one .
Love the handset. Not sure about the hour markers.
First CW I’ve liked. Sharp watch!
Is this the 40mm shown in video?
Don’t you think this model is too similar to the Czapek Antartique Passage de Drake ? What are your thoughts ?
Really love this watch, looks like an affordable Czapek. Most people don't know that brand, so all good haha! But I just hate that big fat applied logo.
Really like this watch but the 44mm lug to lug is a bit too small for my liking. I usually like 46-50mm lug to lug
Integrated bracelet watches wear bigger. If you include the first links (which only articulate a little) it’s 51.5mm. I would say it wears like a 47-48mm lug to lug watch.
Wow! GAW-JESS!
Czapek copy?
Czapek Dial + Omega Aqua Terra indexes = CW12
I am a great fan of CW (I own the BelCanto azzuro and a bespoke C65 Royal Marines Commando) but... I have decided so far not to buy the twelve for two main reasons: 1- For me the dial seems to be a little bit overloaded with this logo pattern (but I have not seen the watch IRL) and 2- as you mentionned, the SW200-1 that is clearly an entry-level movement in discrepancy with the overall style and class of this watch. I would trade a little less finishing on the case for the SW300 COSC on a thinner steel watch for 1200 USD
Would a version with SW300 COSC and less finishing be attractive to as many people? The finishing is why a lot of people prefer the Twelve to the PRX, and say it punches above its weight. The SW300 COSC also has a lower power reserve than the PRX Powermatic 80 so at a certain point the PRX is the better choice for people who care more about that. I think CW should offer SW300 as an upgrade option for however much it costs
No micro-adjustment is an absolute dealbreaker. 🤦♂️🤦♂️🤦♂️
I’m torn between the Nordic blue and pale blue??!!
Nordic for mR 😊
I love your reviews man but I will say you got it a little bit wrong on saying that before this watch there wasn't anything if you wanted something a little bit more elevated with more detail. Frederickson High Life in my opinion is just as good if not better than this watch and it's been around for a while
Personally, I am afraid I can't spend more than 1k or 2k (after inflation) on newer brands such as CW, FC, Raymond Weil, Bremont, etc without true Swiss Heritage, and prices (both retail and second hand) seem to reflect this. Granted, they are doing best to bring originality and fresh alternatives to the table, but jumping on the prx band wagon feels just too opportunistic. My 2 cents.
Instead of simply _saying_ the 12 has better finishing than the PRX or the Aqua Terra has better finishing than the 12, I wish people would give specifics.
It’s between $600 and $7,000 😂
@@melissasmess2773 Yes, obviously. Your sentiment is exactly what content creators are relying on. Swallowing assertions without specifics.
I want to know if the creator can specifically tell me why the finishing is better.
They have bias due to the brand names and cost. If there were a way to blind test a £1000 watch with a £5000, it would be wonderful to see how many watch reviewers fail
Very nice - only suggestions would be to make the dial a little more organic (less repetitive and industrial) and a new logo :) .... I like the Titanium versions more since they've got a little more visual complexity
Nice 👍
Perfect representation why people pay 10% for quality and 90% for a brand name and this watch has a no name brand
It's okay but aren't we all just over saturated with integrated bracelet design watches.
Considering I don’t like them, Yeeees 😂
CW over PRX for me!!!!
I don't really like the dial. I think (I could be wrong) the dial is a repeat of Christopher ward's logo and if so, it seems a bit too much branding to me.
Wrist size
My bigotted eyes can only see prx and seiko 5 with lipstick for $1200
agreed massively overhyped
Wait, is that a MtG-playmat in the backround?
prx is in a different price bracket than this watch
First
Looks great, apart from the awful logo design.
On the contrary they finally nailed it with this logo design.
However, the performance of the standard Sellita SW200 in the steel version is a catastrophe. CW didn't make any effort to regulate it.
Very sad, my Marathon’s SW200 is -4 per day😊
Especially as even some AliExpress watch manufacturers regulate and adjust their movements such as the NH35..
Date looks bad, the 36mm no date looks better
Is the watch industry running out of ideas now😂
Terrible blue colour, sorry saying but bad choice
It’s actually a gorgeous dial color. I had this exact watch for a while, but sold it due to legibility issues. It’s beautiful but for me at least, was hard to read in some lighting.
@@nedflanders3769 Is a matter of taste. Respect your, also had enough of the brand. P
Too many treat as the Holly Grail, best thing i did was sell my and get
a really cool sport car. Have real fun
CW is a nothing manufacturered brand, delivering some original designs and mimicking others, but really.. Oris, Sinn, anybody?
CW brand name and logo is absolutely appalling design aesthetic, they are endlessly pushed and promoted TH-camr's and a Uk advert on TV said if you hadn't heard of CW, - 'do your research' - cringe!! Spun as British brand Swiss made (60%) I'm guessing and some will fall for this bollocks at the price point a significant demographic will buy them but to me they miss the point of why you buy a watches. Id rather look at my wrist and see Oris, Sinn, Longines, Seiko, it's a crouded sub 2k price bracket and good luck to CW you should buy what you like, but the brand and it's designs do nothing for me..
Lazy style copy, bad logo and a terrible brand name. Overhyped.