Christopher Ward C11 Makaira Pro 500 Special Build

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 the (surprisingly rare) 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 discounted prices. What was something of an unloved model in 2015 has now evolved into a highly collectable and popular watch, with prices having been well over the original RRP for some time now.

The Makaira Pro 500 was available with white, blue or orange markers. There were also a couple of Titanium limited editions which had yellow (the Elite) or green (the Extreme) markers.

The watch for sale here is an ‘orange marker’ model, but with a twist: it has the bezel from the white marker model! It’s my belief that it’s either the result of an assembly line mistake, where the builder accidentally selected the bezel from the white model while assembling the watch, or it could be the result of a brief parts shortage, which might be plausible if there are any other watches out there with the same face/bezel combo - I’m yet to find any, so please get in touch if you have one! So the most likely explanation for me right now is that it’s a one-off mistake!

If you’re interested in reading about a similar blue model that I’ve previously sold (twice), you can find the listing here: wardhoard.com/products/c11-makaira-pro-special-build

I know £1,000 is a LOT to ask for a watch which was originally bought for £500 (in fact I dare say its the high water mark for any CW in terms of appreciation %), but the asking price reflects its rarity, its condition and the fact that I’ll be more than happy to keep it as part of my collection if everyone thinks I’m asking too much! It also reflects the fact that every time I list a nice C11 Makaira and think I’ve gone beyond the ceiling price, the damn thing sells and I wish I’d have asked more! Nice ones are also becoming harder and harder to find!

Condition
It’s a November 2013 watch which has seen only limited wrist time. The original CW silicone rubber straps are prone to splitting around the buckle holes when put on and off regularly, but there are no signs of that happening on this watch. As a result of the straps not lasting forever and CW having sold out years ago, nice straps like this are becoming an increasing rare sight.

The watch head is in fantastic condition for a watch that’s coming up for eight years old. Under close inspection you can see various very feint blemishes, indicating light signs of use, but on the whole it’s seen very little wrist time and is one of the very best you’re likely to find. The only mark that’s worth bringing to your attention is a small ding on the right side of the case, below the crown, which you can make out in the relevant photograph.

Supplied in the original presentation case including outer cardboard box and with original covering letter, unused polishing cloth and owner’s book with Certificate of Authenticity.

Specifications

• Case size: 42mm

• Lug width: 22mm

• Height: 12.5mm

• Waterproof: 500m

• Movement: ETA 2824-2 or Sellita SW200-1 automatic

• Time keeping: approx. -21sec over 24h

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 two pics are library Photoshop creations, the rest all show the actual watch and package.

• Having followed CW for many years, I’ve observed a few of instances of crowns being pulled out/off of C11 MSL versions. While I’ve not seen it on a Makaira, I’d still advise any owners to take extra care when pulling the crown out to the time-adjusting position three.