Andrew Morgan teams up with Christopher Ward for a special Bel Canto, The Red One
Zach Blass- Christopher Ward partners with Andrew Morgan Watches for the first-ever official Bel Canto collaboration.
- Its distinctions from the standard models include a vibrant red dial, clear sapphire jewels in place of rubies, and Andrew Morgan’s signature engraved on the caseback.
- The watch is a time-limited edition, with all orders made between June 27 3pm BST and July 3 5pm BST to be honoured, priced starting at £3,195.
Once known as Mr. Watchfinder, only recognisable by his dulcet tones and talking hands format, Andrew Morgan continues to serve prime content on all of his independent channels – although now regularly featuring his handsome mug. Being in the watch industry can have its perks, but perhaps not as often as you might think. I still have yet to get the call from my local Rolex AD four years later, my interest registered for a Rolex Oyster Perpetual Candy Pink I now no longer want. This new Christopher Ward x Andrew Morgan Watches C1 Bel Canto The Red One is one instance of such a perk, but the twist is that Morgan’s industry privilege has potentially benefitted us all.
Morgan explains: “I’ve been a fan of the Bel Canto since it first launched, but missed out on ordering one. I asked the Christopher Ward team if they had any more left and they said no. But they did say I could make one of my own. I knew immediately what colour I wanted: red. It’s also the third most popular colour after blue and green, and the Bel Canto already comes in blue and green. But I felt kinda bad being the only one to have a Bel Canto in red. So, we decided to make more.”
I firmly believe the role of watch media collaborations is to push a manufacturer towards a design that may not otherwise have been made, while offering a design the watch community looks at and thinks: “how did the brand not release this before?” When everyone cries foul over a date window, it should be understood that a manufacturer is speaking to the much broader marketplace that to demands one. When watch content creators intervene, that is where we can push for designs that cater more to the inner watch community through a limited-edition collaboration.
Considering how colourful the Christopher Ward catalogue is, I find it hard to believe the brand was willing to take red off the table for a piece unique. So, it’s really cool that Andrew Morgan and Christopher Ward arrived at the idea of launching a time-limited run of Bel Cantos. The watch has not been overtly personalised in a manner where anyone will feel like they are wearing someone else’s watch, or something that strays far from the Bel Canto’s GPHG-winning formula. But while the core of its design remains the same, this first-ever official Bel Canto collaboration watch features the distinction of having a red dial and transparent sapphires in place of traditional rubies. In addition, the chime indicator has been executed in silver to better blend in with the components of the dial. The transparent jewels and chime indicator colour were selected to distract as little as possible from the dial’s vibrant hue.
To recap, the Christopher Ward C1 Bel Canto made waves upon its launch because it managed to offer a mechanical chiming complication at an unheard-of price. It is not a minute repeater but with its sonnerie au passage complication a single chime is struck each passing hour. This price-approachable chiming watch is made possible through its merging of a cost-effective automatic Sellita SW200-1 base with the manufacture’s own FS01 chiming module. That being said, Christopher Ward takes the time to properly finish its dial-side movement components – the chiming gong, for example, is finely mirror polished.
Its grade 5 titanium case stands at a favoured size, with a 41mm diameter, 13mm thickness, and lug-to-lug span a comfortable 48mm. A push-down crown at the 2 o’clock position is used to set the time, while a 4 o’clock-positioned pusher activates or deactivates the chiming complication. You wouldn’t want to be caught in a silent theatre or lecture hall with an interrupting chime from your wrist. The watch can be purchased on a Delugs white rubber CTS strap, a Delugs grey alcantara Signature strap, or on Christopher Ward’s Bader bracelet – all of which include quick-release pins.
Red hasn’t quite caught up to blue and green when it comes to watch dials, so it’s nice to see one executed well, and not as a strictly limited edition. The Christopher Ward x Andrew Morgan Watches C1 Bel Canto The Red One presents a chance to be among a select group with a red-dialled configuration while not being so exclusive that people stand to be left out. In an effort to democratise its release, everyone will have a week to be able to place a pre-order – with all orders honoured in the order they are received. This is why I love the time-limited strategy, as the amount of watches produced will equal the amount of orders, and all who want one will receive one in due time.
Christopher Ward x Andrew Morgan Watches C1 Bel Canto The Red One pricing and availability
The Christopher Ward x Andrew Morgan Watches C1 Bel Canto The Red One will be available for pre-orders from June 27 3pm BST to July 3 5pm BST. All orders made within this time-limited window will be honoured in the order they are received, with deliveries beginning in December 2024. Price: £3,195 (~US$4,060)
| Brand | Christopher Ward |
| Model | C1 Bel Canto The Red One x Andrew Morgan Watches |
| Case Dimensions | 41mm (D) x 13mm (T) x 48mm (LTL) |
| Case Material | Grade 5 titanium |
| Water Resistance | 30 metres |
| Crystal(s) | Sapphire |
| Dial | Intense red |
| Strap | Delugs white rubber CTS, folding clasp Delugs grey alcantara, pin buckle Titanium Bader bracelet, folding clasp |
| Movement | Sellita SW200-1 with FS01 module, automatic |
| Power Reserve | 38 hours |
| Functions | Hours, minutes, sonnerie au passage |
| Availability | Pre-order window from June 27 3pm BST to July 3 5pm BST |
| Price | starting at £3,195 |