Christopher Ward
Maidenhead, United Kingdom · Est. 2004
Founded by Chris Ward, Mike France, Peter Ellis
Christopher Ward is a British watch brand founded in 2004 by Christopher Ward, Mike France, and Peter Ellis in Maidenhead, as a direct-to-consumer alternative to Swiss luxury. Known for the C60 diver and C65 Trident, the brand produces Swiss-made watches including its in-house Calibre SH21 at considerably below Swiss luxury market prices.
- Founded
- 2004
- Headquarters
- Maidenhead, United Kingdom
- Group
- Independent
- Price Segment
- Entry
- Status
- Active
Key Collections
- C60 Trident — Christopher Ward’s core dive-watch family, known for the trident-tipped seconds hand, multiple case sizes and materials, and robust Swiss-built performance across the range. Key references: C60 Trident Day Date COSC.
- C65 Series — Vintage-inspired Christopher Ward collection that draws on mid-century tool-watch proportions, domed crystals, and retro styling while keeping the line broadly focused on modern usability.
- C1 Moonglow — Dress watch collection centered on Christopher Ward’s moonphase concept, pairing a luminous moon display with a tide indicator and the brand’s in-house modification for a distinctive, modern dress-watch identity. Key references: C1 Moonglow manual.
Timeline
- 2004 — Chris Ward, Mike France, and Peter Ellis found Christopher Ward in London as a direct-to-consumer watch brand.
- 2008 — C60 Trident Pro launches, establishing the brand's diver identity and best-selling model.
- 2014 — Moves production to Biel/Bienne, Switzerland, and begins using COSC-certified movements across the range.
- 2019 — Launches the SH21 in-house movement, CW's first proprietary calibre with a 120-hour power reserve.
- 2022 — Introduces the twin-flag logo, completing a brand identity evolution towards a cleaner, more premium look.
- 2025 — Launched C12 Loco jumping hour and C63 Sealander Stones limited editions (150 pcs each in four variants).
- 2026 — Debuted in-house Calibre CW-002 with true traveller GMT in new C63 Sealander True GMT. Announced SoHo New York showroom.
Frequently Asked Questions about Christopher Ward
- Why is Christopher Ward so affordable for Swiss-made?
- By selling directly online without retail markups, CW offers Swiss-made watches with COSC movements and in-house calibres at a fraction of traditional retail prices.
- Does Christopher Ward have its own movement?
- Yes. The Calibre SH21 is their in-house movement, offering a 120-hour power reserve. They've since expanded the SH family with GMT and chronograph variants.
Other independent United Kingdom watch brands
- AVI-8 — London, United Kingdom
- Farer — Bracknell, United Kingdom
- William Wood — Manchester, United Kingdom
- Aera — London, United Kingdom