Christopher Ward C7 Rapide MkII Mini-Review

[ThisSideUp]

I haven't seen anyone post photos of this watch yet, and the ones on the CW website definitely look retouched or CGI. Here's some real world photos. I've had the watch for a couple days now. First impressions are:
-Quality Case and Band.
-Lume is almost non-existent.
-Very Comfortable. Wears a true 42mm.
-Ronda 3540.D movement seems quality. All hands hit the hash marks perfectly. (pet-peeve of mine when they are off)

[GregBe]

Very nice looking. I went to their site today, looking at the C60, and stumbled across the C7. I am thinking about pulling the trigger on one. What are your subjective impressions...do you like it? I am looking for an everyday watch, and have been stuck between dress divers, like the Trident C60 and dressy watches like the Tissot Visodate. This might be perfect.

[ThisSideUp]

Very nice looking. I went to their site today, looking at the C60, and stumbled across the C7. I am thinking about pulling the trigger on one. What are your subjective impressions...do you like it? I am looking for an everyday watch, and have been stuck between dress divers, like the Trident C60 and dressy watches like the Tissot Visodate. This might be perfect.

I have seen both the C60 and the C7 in person now, and the C60 is a nicer watch, of course. Automatic movement, and love the wave pattern dial. I am a big fan of the Tag Carrera and the Omega Speedmaster, and I feel like the C7 has some styling cues from both, which is why I picked it up. I do like it, but I was hoping it would be "the one". The fabled watch that one develops a special attachment to, ending the hunt for new watches. Alas, this is not that watch for me. I am a frequent flipper, and this will probably end up on the sale forum in a couple months.

[skorN83]

Nice looking piece. C Ward seems to have a knack of making nice chronographs with subtle racing themes.

I really wish that they had stayed with the old branding/logo, CHR.WARD tilts me to no end for some reason.

[LosTresGatos]

I really wish that they had stayed with the old branding/logo, CHR.WARD tilts me to no end for some reason.

Bingo...reminds me of a British personalized plate saying "Coward"

[mpalmer]

I liked the old branding logo better as well.

[spyderco10]

i'm one of those weirdos that couldn't care less what a company's logo looks like. as long as they make a quality timepiece.

[marchone]

I like that Chr. Ward are doing quartz watches with traditional, and tasteful, dials and cases. That's a handsome chronograph.

Now if some brand would pick up the middle ground in the $1500 to $2000 range where traditional guilloché dial detailing, case and finish work could be offered with quality HAQ movements I would be sorely tempted. That's a market void I have long wondered about.

So many quartz Citizen and Seiko models are just off-looking one way or another and tend to limit their offerings to pure dress models.

[ds99]

I am also puzzled by the new logo. Very odd.

It's a shame they do not do this watch with an automatic movement. £350 for a quartz watch seems a little high. Resale value won't be much.

[geoffbot]

No one likes a company branding change initially but you totally get used to it over time. Marathon became Snickers, Wine Gums > Marnards, etc. No bother.