Christopher Ward C11 Makaira Titanium Elite 500 LE COSC Chronometer

Here we have a rare and very desirable Christopher Ward C11 Makaira Titanium Elite 500.

Christopher Ward's C11 watches have long since sold out, but when they were available, the dive range consisted of five different versions: There were three 'standard' C11 Makaira 500 watches - white markers, blue markers and orange markers.

The above three models were make from steel and were not limited editions, however they're highly coveted and very desirable in CW circles, so they rarely come up for sale.

The 'top of the range' was the C11 Titanium Extreme 1000 which cost £995. This had green markers and was limited to 1000 COSC certified pieces. It was rated as suitable for 1,000 mtr dives. While awesome on paper, the Extreme model had an upgraded (thicker) back plate and crystal, making it 15mm tall - some 2mm thicker than the rest of the range and making it too tall for some.

Siting between Extreme and the Makiaras was the Titanium Elite 500 - which is the one listed here.

It has a light weight and corrosion resistant Titanium case and at its heart lives a Sellita SW220-1 COSC automatic movement. It's limited to 500 pieces. Its 500 mtr rating means it's just 13mm high and for many people (myself included) it sits better on the wrist than its Extreme 1,000 big brother.

Its yellow markers help identify it as by far the most desirable C11 model ever made (perhaps with the exception of the impossibly rare Royal Navy Fleet Diving special mentioned here).

One of the standout features for me are the three ‘crowns’. The one at 3 o’clock is actually the crown, 2 o’clock rotates the internal bezel and 8 o’clock is the Helium escape valve.

The original selling price was £750, rising to £800 by the time it sold out.

Occasionally Christopher Ward run special offers on 'end of line' stock. This C11 was never subject to any special offers because it sold out at the full price.

These have been popular watches with CW collectors since day one and I only need the fingers of one hand to count the number of Elites that I’ve seen change hand over the last couple of years, so I doubt it will be long until they’re not available at all.

Condition
It's recently had some professional cosmetic restoration work and now looks great with its satin blasted finish. To complete the job I’ve fitted an almost new original silicone rubber strap (with alloy sport buckle) which are now almost impossible to get hold of.

On the timegrapher it’s registering at approx. -20 seconds per day. For me personally, it’s a 7+ year old watch and I’m happy living with that. If you can’t, then a service and regulation would see it back to within its original COSC specifications (-4 to +6sec). With the cost of a service being virtually the same as the cost of a new movement, I’d just wear it, enjoy it and fit a new heart if it ever breaks!

So there you have it - it’s not the best or most original Elite ever to come up for sale, but it’s a tidy, cosmetically restored example offered as a full set including deluxe wooden case, owner’s book with certificate of authenticity and COSC certificate.

Specifications

• Case size: 42mm

• Lug width: 22mm

• Height: 13mm

• Strap: 22mm

• Waterproof: 500m

• Movement: Sellita SW200-1 COSC automatic

User Manual
A PDF version of the owner’s manual is available on the CW website: https://www.christopherward.com/on/demandware.static/-/Library-Sites-cw-library/default/dw3074da03/pdfs/Dive/c11make_manual.pdf

Final Notes

• The first six images are library shots, the rest all show the actual watch and package.

• The outer sleeve to the watch roll is missing from the box and the roll itself is looking a little tired.

• Having followed CW for many years, I’ve observed a few of instances of crowns being pulled out/off of MSL versions. While I’ve not seen it on a Makaira, it’s still advised to take extra care when pulling the crown out to the time-adjusting position three.

• If you’re looking for a minter, I have a 2017 archive find one available for £1,500.