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Affordable Men's Style

Win it: The Christopher Ward C10 Aviator Automatic

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In Person: Christopher Ward C10 Aviator MK I Automatic – $515.00

Christopher Ward watches are a bit like the SuitSupply of the watch world.  On the very high end of what most would consider “affordable”, but superb quality for the price point when compared to the luxury competition.  Designed in England and made in Switzerland with Swiss movements, the brand was launched in 2004 with the goal of making “the cheapest most expensive watches in the world.”  Here’s their case as to why they can do what they do. 

As simple and as dressed up as their C9 Harrison is, this Aviation inspired C9 from Christopher Ward is just as simple but dressed down.  No gold indexes, crisp white dial, or chromed up case here.  The C9 is all rugged-looking business, with a brushed matte case, dark dial, and cream hands/accents with a vintage feel.

42mm in diameter so while it has some size, it won’t totally overwhelm like some bigger aviator style watches.  Light but not flimsy, you might think the case is Titanium but it’s a matte stainless.  That fat “diamond” shaped crown is perfect, as are the shape of the hour & minute hands and the design of the second hand.  The round black background date indicator at 3 o’clock is spot on.  Blends in nicely with the rest of the face.

No exhibition window on the screw-down case-back, but each does have an engraved Sopwith Camel (paging a certain WWI Flying Ace).  Crystal is anti-reflective sapphire, that when exposed to direct light can start to look a little navy, but won’t blind you with any bounce back.  The deployant clasp has the same matte look as the case, and the Italian leather band (also available in brown) feels great.  As always with Christopher Ward, it comes with a 5-year movement guarantee.

Just one slight disappointment.  It’s only water resistant to 50m.  So while plenty tough looking and solidly built, it’s not meant to be exposed to water for long stretches.  That won’t be a problem for most, and it also makes sense.  It’s an aviator watch.  Unless you’re Captain Sully, an aviator in the drink does not a good outcome make.

Want to win the C10?  Go here to get entered. One entry per person. Deadline for entry is 11:59 pm ET on 11/21/12.

UPDATE:  Congrats to Derek H. who won the C10 Aviator!  Thanks to all who entered…

Comments

  9. I love this little bit of Canadian legalese “Canadian entrants will be required to show their mad math skills by correctly answering a math equation provided by Dappered LLC.” Makes me giggle every time I see a contest entry from.

  12. Will you include that bottle of Carpano Antica Formula? It just looks too good alongside that watch.

  14. Trust me Rob, I wish it wasn’t this way. But trans-Pacific/Atlantic/international-other than-Canada contesting can get real hairy, real quick. My apologies, I really do wish it was possible.

  17. The first thing I thought of after reading “Sopwith Camel” was that awesome Red Baron computer game from the early ’90s. Anyone? Anyone?

    Oh… and a nice-looking watch.

  18. I can’t thank you enough for adding a bot stopper to this. My single entry seems more empowered.

  19. good looking watch. only complaint is the different size numeral indices. makes me read it: one, two, THREE!, four, five, SIX!, seven, eight, NINE!

  20. These really are some sweet watches – grabbed a Hamilton Jazzmaster last month. C Ward was in the running though.

  25. Joe, it was only a good-natured gripe.

    I’ve probably saved enough on Clad, LEC and Urban Outfitters sales (as well as AE shoe bargains on ebay) to buy my own watch. And starting next week I’ll be personally hunting down bargains for three weeks in London, Paris & Rome – starting with TM Lewin shirts – available for 19.99 GBP at TK Maxx – or hopefully nearly as good in the fierce competition against Charles Tyrwhitt in Jermyn Street – high on my list of London must-sees!