Christopher Ward C11 Makaira Pro 500

Introduction

Those who preach you should only buy watches with your heart, rather than your head, will always argue that resale values should never be a consideration when buying a watch… then they’ll contradict themselves by making sure they always drive a German car because of their safe residuals! For those who buy watches with both their heart and their head, the C11 Makaira Pro 500 has has proved itself to be a wise investment, with tidy examples having fetched well over their original RRPs for a couple of years now.

The first C11 (the aviation style MSL) arrived in 2011, but it wasn’t until August of 2012 that CW dropped the dive edition, with its innovative internal rotating bezel (operated by the upper crown). Dubbed the Makaira Pro 500, it initially cost £500 with the silicone rubber strap and £560 on a bracelet - rising to £550 and £610 respectively over the next couple of years. It sold okay, but didn’t exactly set the world alight and by 2015 the remaining stock was sold off at reduced prices. From what I’ve observed over the years, I’d say at least 90% of Makairas were sold on rubber straps with the remaining 10% being fitted with the stainless bracelet option.

The Makaira Pro 500 was available with white, blue or orange markers. There were also a couple of Titanium limited editions which had yellow or green markers. The watch for sale here has the orange markers.

Warranty

As a June 2013 watch, the five year CW warranty has long expired, so it comes with a three month Ward Hoard warranty.

Strap

This watch is in the minority on the strap front, having been fitted with the stainless bracelet option - a wise investment, with the original silicone strap being prone to splitting if worn regularly.

Price includes this strap - if you would prefer it without the bracelet (i.e. without any strap), I could offer a discount of £125. If you would prefer another CW strap, please ask and I can give you some options and pricing.

Condition

It is a June 2013 watch in very good condition. There are a couple of light marks, but they really do not notice in use. I suspect that it has spent most of its life in its box.

The crown is worn (a relatively common fault with these), so it will need to go back to CW Towers for a repair. Waiting time therefore maybe around three months.

It comes as a ‘full set’, including original box, manual with certificate of authenticity, polishing cloth and covering letter.

Specifications

• Case size: 42mm

• Lug width: 22mm

• Height: 12.5mm

• Waterproof: 500m

• Movement: ETA 2824-2 or Sellita SW200-1 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/dw234255e3/pdfs/Dive/c11mak_manual.pdf

Final Notes

• Note the first five photographs are library shots, the rest all show the actual watch and package.

• The orange hands and markers are a very bright, almost day-glow colour in the flesh - difficult to replicate in the photographs.

• 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.