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 white markers. This one was a warranty replacement in January 2017 for an earlier model - making it one of the latest available.

Warranty

As a January 2017 watch, the five year CW warranty has expired, so it comes with a three month Ward Hoard warranty.

Strap

This watch comes with a later CW tropic strap. The original silicone strap was prone to splitting if worn regularly and has been replaced.

Price includes this strap - if you would prefer it without the strap, I could offer a discount of £40. If you would prefer another CW strap, please ask and I can give you some options and pricing.

Condition

It is a January 2017 watch in good condition. It has been used so there are the odd marks, but nothing that acts to its detriment.

A worn crown is a relatively common fault with these, but this one is working perfectly. It is also keeping almost perfect time, as shown on the timegrapher.

It comes as a ‘full set’, including original box, manual with certificate of authenticity, replacement 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