New Watch Alert: Christopher Ward C63 Sealander Chronograph
Christopher Ward says they are used to memes. I hope they’re ready for this…
Inspector Clouseau is coming out of retirement. His mission, should he accept it, is to investigate what they are putting in the tea at “The Yard” in Maidenhead. And, should he need the air miles, what they are putting in the coffee at the atelier in Biel/Bienne. This review won’t self-destruct in ten seconds (I hope). No more mixed metaphors, I promise. The brand has introduced chronographs to the C63 Sealander range. But how have they done it, and do we really need history’s second most famous fictional detective?
Mike France says that Christopher Ward loves mechanical chronographs. Maybe they do, but their history with mechanical chronographs is mixed. Their first was the C40 Speedhawk in 200,9 which still looks contemporary. Then came the 2013 C1000 Typhoon with a ceramic case, porthole in the back, and two black subdials with black hands, which helped legibility immensely. Then you get to the monster that was 2016’s C60 Trident Pro chronometer with its 17.10mm height and spinning disk indicator for the running seconds. Aside from the Speedhawk, there have been some good mechanical chronographs, such as anything powered by the JJ02 monopusher module (bring it back please, even though I know that’s impossible), but it is time that they tried to make a good, honest, stylish chronograph that people will actually buy. The C63 Sealander Chronograph might be just that watch.
Design
Sporty, modern, panda, panda, panda… (and pink)
To make a modern sports chronograph, there are two templates you can follow. You have the choice of subdials or three subdials. For the Sealander, Christopher Ward has wisely chosen the three-subdial approach and the correct 3, 6, 9 o’clock orientation. There is no date either. The classic form has been followed, and Antoine de Saint-Exupéry can finally rest easily; there is really nothing to add or take away.
If all the forms have been followed, how do you make it a Christopher Ward? The hands are the Sealander’s sacrificial dagger handset. The indices have been modified to account for subdials but keep all the polished and faceted surfaces. The 41mm Light-catcher™ case now has streamlined buttons to operate the chronograph, which have been integrated into sweeping crown guards. The bezel on all the watches is matte ceramic and features a tachymeter scale that no one will ever use but should look great at depth since the water resistance is 100m.
The dial is where this watch really shines. The black subdials have a white outer ring to separate them from the main dial; they have neat white printing, and the hands on these subdials are brushed and polished metal, which are legible against the black background. This is a very mature design that makes sure all the elements are readable and fit into the overall theme of the watch.
Watch Specifications
316L Steel, 41mm diameter, 13.9mm height, 48mm lug tip to lug tip, 100 m water resistance, 3 subdials (30 minutes at 3 o’clock, 12 hours at 6 o’clock and running seconds at 9 o’clock).
Historically, a lot of chronographs have motor racing links, although I’ve always wondered whether you could start, stop and restart a chronograph whilst going 250 miles per hour down the Mulsanne straight. A lot of modern chronographs are still inspired by motor racing. The Sealander Chronograph is sporting but not motor-sporting. The dial is what sets the Sealander apart from the rest. The actual dial is lacquered; the sub-dials are recessed and textured, and this separates the two visually. Then there are the colourways. Christopher Ward has chosen to use the Sealander colourways. There are five colourways available: black, white, sky blue, pistachio and pink. The sub-dials are always black, so each of these watches is a panda. Black and white colourways are normal. Sky blue is relatively normal, but pistachio and pink? Frankly, it’s genius and allows me to make as many pink panda jokes as I want.
The range covers the blandly professional (black on black) with the classic panda (white/black), and then you have the fun (blue/black), the “fun-ner” (pistachio/black and “fun-nest” the pink (pink/black). There is something for everyone here. The white dial even has the obligatory pop of red on the tip of the chronograph second hand. 
Movement
Selitta SW510, hand-wound, no date, power reserve 62 hours, -5/+12 s/day tolerance
The Selitta SW510 hand-wound is a sensible choice for the C63 Sealander Chronograph. It is one of the relatively few Swiss chronographs available. It is based on the Valjoux 775X, so it has a well-known architecture and should be easy to repair. The Valjoux 775X architecture does come with one potential drawback. It is a thick movement, and it’s rare to see slim watches that use this. Being hand-wound with no date certainly helps, as does the decision to make a modern sports chronograph, so there’s no box sapphire crystal to add height to the watch. The Elaboré grade Selitta SW510 and its new semi-skeletonised rotor are visible through an exhibition caseback.
Price & Availability
On an integrated rubber strap, the C63 Sealander Chronograph is £1,895/$2,625/€2,475 and £1,995/$2,765/€2,605 on the Bader bracelet featuring iLink™.
The rubber straps are available in white, black, blue and orange. The three-link Bader bracelet is fitted with the iLink™ tool-free size adjustment system.
Concluding Thoughts
There are lots of reasons to buy a watch. Some buy the story; some buy the function or brand. A happy few buy a watch because they like it. I have bought a watch based on the music used to advertise it. My dalliance with the C65 Black-Gold was fairly short, but I still listen to “Gold Dusted Sky” by Base Collector. I just hope that Henry Mancini’s famous theme was playing as they studied the mood board for these. It would be the perfect inspiration and a great excuse to buy a great chronograph. 
Inspector Clouseau said,d “Anonymity is a virtue.” Not in the watch world. These chronographs are not anonymous; they are fun, modern and sporty. They are well-sized and can come on a strap or bracelet. The brand’s history with hand-wound and automatic chronographs may be mixed, but this time they have got it just right. I’m tempted by the white dial,l but I can’t deny the appeal of the pink panda (not just because of Mancini’s music). Which would you go for? The mint choc chip (pistachio)? The true panda (white), or would you embrace the zeitgeist and go for the real star: the pink panda? Let us know in the comments below.
Just one more thing… I wonder if Inspector Clouseau will ever find out what they’ve been putting in the tea in Maidenhead and the coffee in Biel/Bienne…?
