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The new Christopher Ward Aeolian adds sandy tones to the Dune field watch

The new Christopher Ward Aeolian adds sandy tones to the Dune field watch

Borna Bošnjak
  • The time-only Christopher Ward Aeolian in steel and bronze get wavy, French dune-derived dials.
  • For the GMT models, the sandy inspiration is limited to some beige colour on the indices and two-tone internal bezels.
  • All three sub-collections are powered by Sellita movements, with prices starting at US$895 for the Aeolian Automatic, US$1,165 for the Aeolian Bronze, and US$1,165 for the Aeolian GMT.

Calling your watch the “Dune”, you’d expect there to be some sort of desert (or cinematic) connection. Until now, that was limited to sandy fauxtina and camel-coloured straps, but Christopher Ward’s Dune Aeolian line extension further plays to that inspiration. Comprising no less than eight new models, you now have a myriad of dial, material, and complication options, with pricing as reasonable as you’d expect from the British brand. To further drive the point home, Christopher Ward notes that this particular sandy pattern is influenced by the Dune du Pilat, Europe’s biggest sand dune situated on the Atlantic coast of Bordeaux. However, not all dials get this new look – so let’s clarify any potential confusion.

christopher ward c65 dune aeolian automatic wrist

Wave dials are nothing new – but we’ve usually seen them on dive watches given the sea throughline. However, the C65 Dune holds the place of a field watch in Christopher Ward’s collection, so its squiggly new dials take a more land-based approach. The most populated sub-collection of CW’s novelty is the quartet of Dune Aeolian Automatic models, available in grey, blue, green, and beige colours, with indices subtly tinted to best match their backdrop. The 38mm steel cases have excellent dimensions that will suit a variety of wrist sizes, measuring 11.9mm in height and 43.7mm lug-to-lug.

You can opt for Christopher Ward’s case-matching, three-link steel bracelet, or appropriately sandy-coloured canvas or leather straps. That said, Christopher Ward is always considerate when it comes to including quick-release tabs on the spring bars of both their bracelets and straps. Combine that with the 20mm lug width, and they’re certified strap monsters.

christopher ward c65 dune aeolian bronze cosc green wrist

To really drive home the desert look, you can opt for the Dune Aeolian Bronze COSC, and its differences from the standard version are evident from the name. The dimensions of the bronze case remain the same, including the 150 metres of water resistance, though you can also opt for a bronze bracelet which is still not all that common. The movement gets a spec bump, going from the Sellita SW200 to the COSC-certified grade of the same movement – though still retaining the 38-hour power reserve, which is quite unimpressive these days.

christopher ward c65 dune aeolian gmt blue wrist

Finally, and a little bit confusingly, is the C65 Dune Aeolian GMT. Now, you’ll notice that this one doesn’t have the same dial pattern as its time-only siblings. In fact, the beige-dialled piece is exactly the same as the one already part of the C65 Dune collection, now being joined by this matte blue dial with a two-tone 24-hour scale. Not that this is a particular complaint – more just a clarification of what’s actually new – as I’m quite fond of the simpler dial given the increased complexity from the GMT hand, date window, and 24-hour internal scale. Thankfully, despite the addition of a complication, the Aeolian GMT matches the dimensions of the other models and is also available on a selection of brown straps and a three-link steel bracelet.

The reason for it not adding any thickness is that its movement is a GMT variant of the Sellita SW300, which is a calibre grade above the SW200. The SW330 also sports an improved power reserve of 56 hours but is not COSC-certified in this case, matching the daily variance of the Aeolian Automatic’s SW200 at +/-20 seconds per day.

Christopher Ward C65 Dune Aeolian collection pricing and availability

The Christopher Ward C65 Dune Aeolian collection is now available. Price: starting from US$895 (Aeolian Automatic on strap), starting from US$1,165 (Aeolian Bronze on strap), starting from US$1,165 (Aeolian GMT on strap)

Brand Christopher Ward Christopher Ward Christopher Ward
Model C65 Dune Aeolian Automatic C65 Dune Aeolian Bronze COSC C65 Dune Aeolian GMT
Case Dimensions 38mm (D) x 11.9mm (T) x 43.7mm (LTL) 38mm (D) x 11.9mm (T) x 43.7mm (LTL) 38mm (D) x 11.9mm (T) x 43.7mm (LTL)
Case material Stainless steel Bronze Stainless steel
Weight 55g 57g 56g
Water Resistance 150 metres 150 metres 150 metres
Crystal(s) Sapphire front and back Sapphire front and back Sapphire front and back
Dial Grey, blue, green, beige Brown, green Cream, blue
Lug Width 20mm 20mm 20mm
Bracelet and strap Canvas or leather strap, pin buckle
Bader steel bracelet, folding clasp
Brown leather strap, bronze pin buckle
Bader bronze bracelet, folding clasp
Canvas or leather strap, pin buckle
Bader steel bracelet, folding clasp
Movement Sellita SW200-1, automatic Sellita SW200 COSC, automatic Sellita SW330-2, automatic
Power Reserve 38 hours 38 hours 56 hours
Functions Hours, minutes, seconds Hours, minutes, seconds Hours, minutes, seconds, date, GMT
Availability Now Now Now
Price US$895 (canvas)
US$910 (leather)
US$1,095 (bracelet)
US$1,165 (leather)
US$1,550 (bracelet)
US$1,165 (canvas)
US$1,180 (leather)
US$1,365 (bracelet)