I just bought a Bel Canto, with bracelet. I confess that it is my first watch at 68 years of age. I’ve been wearing a Fitbit to the gym for about a decade. Each time Ilook at my Bel Canto, it puts a smile on my face and that’s more valuable to me than the investment.
One thing that reviews have not mentioned is that 2 in the new line up are superior in that they are legible. I’m still puzzled why they didn’t clout 2 hand sets
I have been on the fence for several years about purchasing a CW. Like many of your followers, Bruce, I own(ed) several luxury brands, I am partial to Rolex, last 3 purchases, but feel the updated Bel Canto will be my next piece. Love the design/look, and agree that the leather strap is a no-brainer. Next decision is what color dial is the one. Love the channel/content Bruce, keep it up.
Gotta disagree. I own Breguet, Moser, Blancpain, Rolex etc. I never thought about owning a Christopher Ward until I saw the Bel Canto. I now have the purple one and it sits alongside all my other watches proudly. Having then bought it and joined the CWE Facebook group I can attest that the vast majority of CW enthusiasts buying the Bel Canto are those that already own the Rolexes, Breitlings, Omegas etc. By and large those that arent there yet scoff at the thought of spending 4 grand on a CW. These people don't stretch their legs with the brand, they stick with cheaper watches or they go and get that traditional luxury brand watch they've fantasised about for years.
That was my thought. I think the buyers come from both sides of the fence, but the majority already have forayed into the luxury price segment so the thought of buying a 4.5k CW seems like a value and not a stretch
Same here for me, all my itches so far are satisfied, Rolex, VC, Parmigiani. But here I had to pull the trigger again, I had an interesting journey. I ordered a black one, got bored with it over the waiting time, cancelled the order, then I stumbled over it again in light blue, then Andrew Morgan came out with the Red One, so I cancelled again and ordered this. And now here we are, the Classic! I like the silver one on blue strap even more than the Red One. What shall I say, I have to reorder again 😂😂😂.
Agree with the comment about the bracelet. Any Belcanto must be worn on a leather strap, particularly these new classic, IMO. Beautiful watches. Bravo CW 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
You are completely wrong, I own four Moses, including the sapphire TOURBILLONS, I own three Breguets as well as multiple Omega, including the platinum 321, and I am purchasing my second Belcanto.
I bought my bel canto on the bracelet and I bought 2 straps. I have never worn it on the bracelet, you are 100% correct. I have just ordered the updated strap and I think it’s the strap that should have been made from the beginning
This is the dressier version of the sporty first version. These look great, a little more formal than the first, but I'm loving it. I just think it should be in stainless steel. Titanium for the sportier one, steel for the dressier one.
Hi., regardings Robert's question, but adding a twist, If I have a ONE in a lifetime budget of $4,500, I will go main stream brand., but if I don't have to worry about watch budget, yes, I'd buy it, it's a nice watch. Greetings from MX.
Rockin a new hairdo I see Bruce. Plus a sports jacket. Lookin good my dude. I agree that the bracelet does not suit this timepiece. It belongs on a strap. I have thoroughly enjoyed my Bel Canto. The chime puts a smile on my face. It truly is a conversation starter.
I think the green and silver dials are the best. Love the blued hands on the silver albeit they’re small. Would agonize between these two - what do people think?
I welcome the new add-ons to version 2 from a watch esthetics perspective, but I still prefer the dial, backdrop, and lume of the original version. Version 1 is a more fun watch.
I guess I'm the odd man out because I own a Breguet Tradition plus many other even more expensive watches. I bought a Purple Bel Canto last year because I thought it was cool. My first and only Christopher Ward. With that being said, I do like this new variant but the Bel Canto IMO wears large to begin with and feels more like a sports watch. If you're going to make it look dressier it should be thinner.
Nicely told. I have an original on a strap. Interesting move toward upscale with these. I do wonder if they went too far into dress oriented, in a market that loves sport product. And I am a Moser owner.
Why didn’t they paint the minute and hour hands red to match the “beak” of the striking mechanism on the green and blue dial watches to make reading time more legible?? They paint them black and blue on the tan and silver dials respectively. Makes no sense. Would’ve made those pop more too.
I feel that serviceability is often overlooked here - an Omega can get serviced everywhere, what do I do with the Bel Canto ? UK is no longer part of EU and it's crazy expensive to ship from/to UKEU for service (or is it?) what is the expected service timeframe and cost for these?
Nah, I own a pink gold JLC master control calendar and a rose gold AP 11:59 chrono among all the steel sports and haven't been this exited about a watch in quite a while! This piece save me from needing to commit 40k elsewhere. I literally need to buy it or I'm being robbed 🤷🏻♂️
I bought the 1st edition, and after 3 emails my order was delayed due to quality control issues I got a refund. Issues will probably be twice as bad with these. I’m guessing. Hopefully not.
i passed on the first bel cantos. the boring and unreadable watch part was something i could not find motivation. i bought a new Glashütte Original pano moon instead. now, i want this one. this is FUNCTIONAL and pretty. i do not own any Christopher Wards. i use my watches to tell time. my next watch is a Reverso this winter. i might delay it for this one first if i can see one in person and they keep stock.
I was thinking about your question on whether I would spend $4,500 on a CW Bel Canto as opposed to a more generic looking watch like a Pelagos, Seamster 300m, etc? I think the better question is, would I purchase the CW Bel Canto as a one watch collection piece? For me, the answer is no. I would consider a Speedy, 300m, Pelagos, or Eplorer as a one watch collection piece, though.
It’s rather disappointing for those who had the C1 or Red One on order when they say that the C2 is the watch that they should have made in the first place. I cancelled mine. My first order for the C1 was supposed to be delivered inJuly was put back to October. I changed this for the red one and instead of £1000 deposit they wanted £3550 up front. Andrew Morgan let the cat out of the bag when he said they were setting up an in-house manufacturing facility. All our deposit were used as a hedge against cash flow while this happed. The red one was due in Dec and the first C2s at the same time. This is no way to treat customers and I will not deal with them again. Yes it’s still a fabulous watch but be prepared to be messed about if you buy one.
Consort Bracelet would have been a better look. Or maybe a variation on the twelve bracelet. That clunky oyster bracelet is about as far from elegant as you can get.
WAY too much for me. I may get the 12 in nordic blue, but even that is a stretch. When it goes on sale again, maybe I will be fast enough to grab it. Within a couple of hours that model was sold out in the last big sale. I have the c60s and love them.
I dont know - the big appeal for me and Guilloché is the fact that they are engine turned, and have human errors. The fact that its laser cut - makes it a non-starter for me. They are "replicating" classic watch making.
Fair point. I would guess that it would be cost and time prohibitive to have an engine turned dial. Laser cut makes sense at this price and hopefully lends to a quicker overall production turnaround
A 10/10! Really? For $4.5k the leather straps are very basic, boring grain, and the brushed case finish is flat. I'd like to see it on Alligator leather and polished case to really elevate it. Longines Master Chrono Moonphase has more complications, and far more premium finishing for $3.8k
@@DMBVR4that's like saying this beef burger would have been a 10/10 if they only let people buy it with fries but because they also let people (presumably morons) buy it with roast potatoes instead you're going to mark it down a point.
I'm sure he would have knocked the score down if the bracelet was the only oem option. The fact you can buy it on leather for hundreds less appeals to Robert
@@dsant2811 My logic only seems broken when you forget what 10/10 means. A 10/10 would come with a bracelet that he deems a good fit for the watch. It can be a 9/10 because it's great on a strap, but a 10/10 will come perfect no matter how you order it.
Cancelled my order of the original Bell Canto... I've no regrets... When someone says Christopher Ward, i think of youtube videos... The company has no heritage, it's really done nothing... So many watch companies out there now just sticking Sellita movements, etc, into their time pieces and trying to convince people their dials are the best thing since sliced bread... I'm sorry, but a luxury watch for me needs heritage and without doubt an in-house movement... Couldn't give a monkeys if that makes me a watch snob or not!
Jomashop has the new aqua terra shades 38mm for 5300 NEW. Chrono has zenith defy classic excellent condition for 4500-5k. I could even get a 1601 Rolex for 5k it’s a decision to really consider man
I just bought a Bel Canto, with bracelet. I confess that it is my first watch at 68 years of age. I’ve been wearing a Fitbit to the gym for about a decade.
Each time Ilook at my Bel Canto, it puts a smile on my face and that’s more valuable to me than the investment.
Wear it in good health. It is a gem.
One thing that reviews have not mentioned is that 2 in the new line up are superior in that they are legible. I’m still puzzled why they didn’t clout 2 hand sets
I have been on the fence for several years about purchasing a CW. Like many of your followers, Bruce, I own(ed) several luxury brands, I am partial to Rolex, last 3 purchases, but feel the updated Bel Canto will be my next piece. Love the design/look, and agree that the leather strap is a no-brainer. Next decision is what color dial is the one.
Love the channel/content Bruce, keep it up.
Gotta disagree. I own Breguet, Moser, Blancpain, Rolex etc. I never thought about owning a Christopher Ward until I saw the Bel Canto. I now have the purple one and it sits alongside all my other watches proudly. Having then bought it and joined the CWE Facebook group I can attest that the vast majority of CW enthusiasts buying the Bel Canto are those that already own the Rolexes, Breitlings, Omegas etc. By and large those that arent there yet scoff at the thought of spending 4 grand on a CW. These people don't stretch their legs with the brand, they stick with cheaper watches or they go and get that traditional luxury brand watch they've fantasised about for years.
I totally agree
That was my thought. I think the buyers come from both sides of the fence, but the majority already have forayed into the luxury price segment so the thought of buying a 4.5k CW seems like a value and not a stretch
Same here for me, all my itches so far are satisfied, Rolex, VC, Parmigiani. But here I had to pull the trigger again, I had an interesting journey. I ordered a black one, got bored with it over the waiting time, cancelled the order, then I stumbled over it again in light blue, then Andrew Morgan came out with the Red One, so I cancelled again and ordered this. And now here we are, the Classic! I like the silver one on blue strap even more than the Red One. What shall I say, I have to reorder again 😂😂😂.
I agree about the bracelet. I bought the original with the bracelet, but find myself wearing it on aftermarket leather straps most of the time.
Agree with the comment about the bracelet. Any Belcanto must be worn on a leather strap, particularly these new classic, IMO. Beautiful watches. Bravo CW 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
You are completely wrong, I own four Moses, including the sapphire TOURBILLONS, I own three Breguets as well as multiple Omega, including the platinum 321, and I am purchasing my second Belcanto.
That’s not what he’s saying. He said the watch sucks on bracelet. Which it does.
I bought my bel canto on the bracelet and I bought 2 straps. I have never worn it on the bracelet, you are 100% correct. I have just ordered the updated strap and I think it’s the strap that should have been made from the beginning
That green is sooo good!!
That is my pick as well Tyler
Hi. Yes, they are beautiful. I ordered them for January in gold color. Good luck.
This is the dressier version of the sporty first version. These look great, a little more formal than the first, but I'm loving it. I just think it should be in stainless steel. Titanium for the sportier one, steel for the dressier one.
I wonder if the sound was a little different on a steel prototype. I would be for steel as well
@BruceWilliams good point, would be interesting to know. I bet it is different
Titanium was chosen for the sound.
Robert's opinion on Christopher Ward is empirically correct.
Just nom. Gotta agree about the bracelet. Blue on italian tan leather is killer for me
Hi., regardings Robert's question, but adding a twist, If I have a ONE in a lifetime budget of $4,500, I will go main stream brand., but if I don't have to worry about watch budget, yes, I'd buy it, it's a nice watch. Greetings from MX.
I wholeheartedly agree with you. I'd do the same
The new dial makes it look more expensive than before 😅❤
It is more expensive than before
Was never really interested in the Bel Canto but this is stunning
I wouldn't dream of wearing the classic with a bracelet. I have the original in black. For the price this is off the charts and I love all 4 colours!
Rockin a new hairdo I see Bruce. Plus a sports jacket. Lookin good my dude. I agree that the bracelet does not suit this timepiece. It belongs on a strap. I have thoroughly enjoyed my Bel Canto. The chime puts a smile on my face. It truly is a conversation starter.
Stepping up my style a little. Thanks!
I love the new dial!! Just bam but the old hour marker ring is better than the new.
I think the green and silver dials are the best. Love the blued hands on the silver albeit they’re small. Would agonize between these two - what do people think?
I like the silver. More fun for straps. More wearable.
Green for me
Silver.
Agreed. I've bought the silver but the green shows the complication better.
The silver with blue hands sealed it for me.
I welcome the new add-ons to version 2 from a watch esthetics perspective, but I still prefer the dial, backdrop, and lume of the original version. Version 1 is a more fun watch.
I guess I'm the odd man out because I own a Breguet Tradition plus many other even more expensive watches. I bought a Purple Bel Canto last year because I thought it was cool. My first and only Christopher Ward. With that being said, I do like this new variant but the Bel Canto IMO wears large to begin with and feels more like a sports watch. If you're going to make it look dressier it should be thinner.
I feel like their take was off on this I doubt you're the only one
@@benjaminmintz4001He's not, i am in a very similar boat and also bought the purple one!!
I cancelled my order for the limited edition red one and ordered this instead.
Nicely told. I have an original on a strap. Interesting move toward upscale with these. I do wonder if they went too far into dress oriented, in a market that loves sport product. And I am a Moser owner.
only the base movement sw200-1 hold me back a bit.
Closed caseback + no second hand so it doesn’t really matter. You’ll be happy they chose a SW200 when maintenance comes
Why didn’t they paint the minute and hour hands red to match the “beak” of the striking mechanism on the green and blue dial watches to make reading time more legible?? They paint them black and blue on the tan and silver dials respectively. Makes no sense. Would’ve made those pop more too.
My real issue with this watch is where you can get this watch serviced and how much will that cost?
Thank god you changed your hair. It’s no longer 2008. Looks great!
Bring back the hedgehog 🦔
Will see how long I can comb my hair like an adult haha
I feel that serviceability is often overlooked here - an Omega can get serviced everywhere, what do I do with the Bel Canto ? UK is no longer part of EU and it's crazy expensive to ship from/to UKEU for service (or is it?) what is the expected service timeframe and cost for these?
Excellent point and one that I've thought about numerous times with other watches. This should definitely be a large part of the decision
Nah, I own a pink gold JLC master control calendar and a rose gold AP 11:59 chrono among all the steel sports and haven't been this exited about a watch in quite a while! This piece save me from needing to commit 40k elsewhere. I literally need to buy it or I'm being robbed 🤷🏻♂️
I bought the 1st edition, and after 3 emails my order was delayed due to quality control issues I got a refund. Issues will probably be twice as bad with these. I’m guessing. Hopefully not.
i passed on the first bel cantos. the boring and unreadable watch part was something i could not find motivation. i bought a new Glashütte Original pano moon instead. now, i want this one. this is FUNCTIONAL and pretty. i do not own any Christopher Wards. i use my watches to tell time. my next watch is a Reverso this winter. i might delay it for this one first if i can see one in person and they keep stock.
They're beautiful pieces of art with an arguably useless complication. I can't imagine wearing one in public.
Agreed. The bracelet is horrible. The watch is more tempting than the first.
look at you, combing your hair like a grown-up! i'm proud of you, Bruce! 😁😉
Thanks, will see if I can resist the call to style it like a troll
@BruceWilliams hahaha
As a small hand person, I want smaller watch….😢
I think this watch would work much better on beads of rice bracelet with a bit more polish and rounding to the side case.
I was thinking about your question on whether I would spend $4,500 on a CW Bel Canto as opposed to a more generic looking watch like a Pelagos, Seamster 300m, etc? I think the better question is, would I purchase the CW Bel Canto as a one watch collection piece? For me, the answer is no. I would consider a Speedy, 300m, Pelagos, or Eplorer as a one watch collection piece, though.
I agree, I don't think it is a one watch pick. For me it's a fun addition to a rotation
Excellent point
It’s rather disappointing for those who had the C1 or Red One on order when they say that the C2 is the watch that they should have made in the first place. I cancelled mine. My first order for the C1 was supposed to be delivered inJuly was put back to October. I changed this for the red one and instead of £1000 deposit they wanted £3550 up front. Andrew Morgan let the cat out of the bag when he said they were setting up an in-house manufacturing facility. All our deposit were used as a hedge against cash flow while this happed. The red one was due in Dec and the first C2s at the same time. This is no way to treat customers and I will not deal with them again. Yes it’s still a fabulous watch but be prepared to be messed about if you buy one.
Would prefer stainless, and 38 hour reserve is weak
Consort Bracelet would have been a better look. Or maybe a variation on the twelve bracelet. That clunky oyster bracelet is about as far from elegant as you can get.
WAY too much for me. I may get the 12 in nordic blue, but even that is a stretch. When it goes on sale again, maybe I will be fast enough to grab it. Within a couple of hours that model was sold out in the last big sale. I have the c60s and love them.
That's a stamped of pressed guilloche right?
They say laser Engraved
These new dials are on point. Does take it up a notch. On the leather strap it can work. The bracelet is yuck
I dont know - the big appeal for me and Guilloché is the fact that they are engine turned, and have human errors. The fact that its laser cut - makes it a non-starter for me. They are "replicating" classic watch making.
Fair point. I would guess that it would be cost and time prohibitive to have an engine turned dial. Laser cut makes sense at this price and hopefully lends to a quicker overall production turnaround
Strap and buckle are out of place. Would have rather kept the old buckle and saved cost over the deployment and placed it on croc.
A 10/10! Really? For $4.5k the leather straps are very basic, boring grain, and the brushed case finish is flat. I'd like to see it on Alligator leather and polished case to really elevate it. Longines Master Chrono Moonphase has more complications, and far more premium finishing for $3.8k
He can't criticize the bracelet AND give it a 10/10 lol
@dsant2811 10/10 is perfect. Having a bracelet that doesn't match or belong on is an automatic deduction for the watch as a whole.
@@DMBVR4that's like saying this beef burger would have been a 10/10 if they only let people buy it with fries but because they also let people (presumably morons) buy it with roast potatoes instead you're going to mark it down a point.
I'm sure he would have knocked the score down if the bracelet was the only oem option. The fact you can buy it on leather for hundreds less appeals to Robert
@@dsant2811 My logic only seems broken when you forget what 10/10 means. A 10/10 would come with a bracelet that he deems a good fit for the watch. It can be a 9/10 because it's great on a strap, but a 10/10 will come perfect no matter how you order it.
@@dsant2811exactly what I was going for. If it was just on the bracelet it would be a 7
Have these watches sold out yet?
It comes across like you both have never tried this watch on and are only basing your arguments on having seen the photos.
I've reviewed v1 and dropped multiple clips of it in this video. Rob has tried on V1 but not owned one
Cancelled my order of the original Bell Canto... I've no regrets... When someone says Christopher Ward, i think of youtube videos... The company has no heritage, it's really done nothing... So many watch companies out there now just sticking Sellita movements, etc, into their time pieces and trying to convince people their dials are the best thing since sliced bread... I'm sorry, but a luxury watch for me needs heritage and without doubt an in-house movement... Couldn't give a monkeys if that makes me a watch snob or not!
buy it cancel it, nobody cares.
You can’t buy just the watch head. I’m bader all day then bespoke
Jomashop has the new aqua terra shades 38mm for 5300 NEW. Chrono has zenith defy classic excellent condition for 4500-5k. I could even get a 1601 Rolex for 5k it’s a decision to really consider man