Christopher Ward enters the integrated bracelet game with the handsome Twelve
Borna BošnjakMaking desirable watches affordable, let alone available, is a struggle that many brands are currently facing. From the entry-level to the high-end, each desirable piece went through a period of unavailability, while many have also increased in price since their release – MoonSwatch, PRX, Nautilus, just to name a few. Christopher Ward, champion of the microbrand idea, has had that goal in their sights since the very beginning, and have done their utmost to deliver – one just needs to remember their great response to the demand of the Bel Canto. Their latest design is certainly more traditional, but hits the sweet spot in terms of what’s missing from their catalogue. The Christopher Ward Twelve is offered in both stainless steel and titanium cases with matching bracelets, powered by regular and chronometer-regulated Sellita movements, respectively. The refreshing news for me, and I assume many fellow WIS, will be that the Twelve is slated to be a regular-production model – no six-figure purchase history or unusual favours for your AD necessary. The look is impressively detailed and attractive, echoing the likes of the Czapek Antarctique, but competing at an affordable price point. Let’s get into some more details.
The Twelve
The model that is the most likely to gain large mainstream traction due to its price vs performance ratio is the stainless steel-clad Twelve. Four dial colours are available at launch – two blues and two silvers. Christopher Ward calls them glacier blue, Nordic blue, basalt grey and Arctic white (pictured above). The dial pattern is a stamped pattern of interlocking crosses reminiscent of the brand logo, with sharp, truncated arrow indices and delta hands.
The angular case has a mostly brushed finish, with polished chamfers on the dodecagonal bezel, case, and bracelet edges – a finish commonly seen in watches with watches of this style. A screw-down crown with screwed-in crown guards ensures 100 metres of water resistance.
Dimensions are 40mm in diameter and 44.5mm lug-to-lug, which sounds attractive, especially considering the first bracelet link which does articulate. It’s also slim, at only 9.95mm, with the flat sapphire sitting just proud of the flat brushed top of the bezel.
On the movement side of things, Christopher Ward opted for a Sellita SW200-1, the quintessential Swiss entry-level movement. Rather than just opting for the standard grade however, Christopher Ward went the elaboré route and some custom finishing on the rotor, with a twin flag pattern over colimaçonnage (you can find out what that term means in my exhaustive dive into watch finishing techniques) on the rotor. It’s a safe choice, and one unlikely to deter your purchasing decision, though I would’ve loved to see CW use a newer version of the movement with a power reserve improved from the 38 hours.
The Twelve Chronometer in titanium
The clear and obvious way Christopher Ward could’ve made the Twelve even more appealing is by making it in titanium – an excellent metal for sports watches due to its hypoallergenic, anti-corrosive and lightweight properties. So, that’s exactly what they did. Rather than pigeonhole themselves with only one metal option, Christopher Ward offers both. Steel for those wishing a more traditional, luxe-feeling integrated bracelet sports watch at a very attractive price point, and titanium for the lovers of the muted Ti tones and COSC certification.
The Twelve Ti COSC changes it up in the dial department as well – sporting a blue or purple fume number with the same stamped cross pattern.
On the wrist, the Twelve Ti COSC manages an even slimmer 8.95mm in height, while the diameter and lug-to-lug stay the same at 40mm x 44.5mm. The case weighs in at only 41 grams, a 24 gram difference when compared to the stainless-steel version.
The biggest objective upgrade in the Twelve Ti COSC is the Sellita SW300 COSC-grade that powers it. Chronometer tolerances suggest a -4/+6 daily variance, while the power reserve sits at 56 hours. The finishing is no different from the stainless-steel Twelve however, with the same colimaçonnage rotor brushing and overall minimal decoration.
Christopher Ward Twelve pricing and availability:
The Christopher Ward Twelve and Twelve (Ti) Chronometer are available now from Christopher Ward. Price: US$995 / US$1,225 (Twelve on rubber strap/bracelet), US$1,375 / US$1,825 (Twelve Ti Chronometer on rubber strap/bracelet)
| Brand | Christopher Ward |
| Model | Twelve Twelve (Ti) Chronometer |
| Case Dimensions | 40mm (D) x 9.95mm (T) x 44.5mm (L2L) (Twelve) 40mm (D) x 8.95mm (T) x 44.5mm (L2L) (Twelve Ti Chronometer) |
| Case Material | Stainless steel Titanium |
| Water Resistance | 100 metres |
| Dial | Glacier blue, nordic blue, basalt grey, arctic white (Twelve) Astral blue, nebula purple (Twelve Ti Chronometer) |
| Crystal(s) | Sapphire |
| Strap | Rubber strap or steel/titanium bracelet |
| Lug Width | Integrated |
| Movement | Sellita SW200-1, tolerance -/+ 20 s/d, elaboré grade (Twelve) Sellita SW300-1 COSC, chronometer (Twelve Ti Chronometer) |
| Power Reserve | 38 hours (SW200-1) 56 hours (SW300-1 COSC) |
| Functions | Hours, minutes, seconds, date |
| Availability | Now, regular production |
| Price | US$995 / US$1,225 (Twelve on rubber strap/bracelet) US$1,375 / US$1,825 (Twelve Ti Chronometer on rubber strap/bracelet) |