It’s getting close to the end of the year, and many of us are naturally in a reflective mood. I’d like to think I speak for most watch writers when I say that for us, it’s all about looking back at the almost incalculable number of watches we saw over the course of the year, and the reviews they spawned. Considering all the watches I got to look at this year, there are a handful that really stand out, and the Christopher Ward C1 Moonphase is easily one of them. We talk about Christopher Ward a lot around here because they continue to surprise us, expanding the very definition of what a “Christopher Ward” can be, and the C1 Moonphase is one of my favorite examples of that. It’s truly an art piece – made of slabs of aventurine with no markers to speak of and accented with giant, glowing moons in constant rotation. In a quiet way, it’s every bit as adventurous as the Bel Canto or Twelve X. If there was one issue with it, though, it was the size. At just over 40mm, it was perhaps a little big for some who expect a watch like this to be more discreet.
If that describes you, you’re in luck, as Christopher Ward has just announced a new version of the C1 Moonphase in a more versatile 37mm size. If you envision a watch like this as an accent to a suit (maybe even a tuxedo) or you simply have smaller wrists or prefer a more traditional dress watch size, this new version should have a ton of appeal.
Personally, I stand by my original review, where I wrote that assuming a watch like this is not an “everyday” piece, something a little more prominent with real presence makes sense. Also, I have a 7.5 inch wrist, and I found the case to be just about right on my wrist. That said, I applaud Christopher Ward here for listening to their clientele (the size of this watch was a common complaint on social media and elsewhere) and giving them what they want. This new 37mm size makes a lot of sense, and it’s great that prospective owners now have a choice between what amounts to a true dress watch execution and a more casual, contemporary take on the concept.
Everything else about the C1 Moonphase remains the same. The dial execution is still the highlight, with deep blue aventurine evoking a night sky, and rotating Globolight moons providing accurate readings of the moon’s phase. The moonphase functionality is powered by the JJ04 module, an in-house design that is capable of keeping track of earth’s only satellite for 128 years without an adjustment.
The 37mm C1 Moonphase is available on a leather strap or the brand’s Consort bracelet. Retail pricing starts at $2,325. Christopher Ward
