Christopher Ward C8 Pilot Mk1

Christopher Ward has a long history of making aviation-inspired watches, starting with 2006’s C5 Malvern Aviator, which was based on CW’s first ever watch, the C5 Malvern. Their next aviator was… the C8, which was first introduced in 2008 and has only just been retired, when the last few C8 Power Reserves were sold in early 2021.

The watch for sale here is where the C8 all began: the Pilot Mk1. It was first made available in 2008, when the launch price was just £250. By 2010, when it was retired to make way for the Mk2, the price had risen to £335. The last of the C8 line Flyer Mk2s were £600 when they were available in 2019.

For sale here is one of the very last and youngest C8 Mk1s you’ll find, having been sold in July 2011. In 2016 it was fitted with a new movement.

Strap:
Fitted with the original brown rivited CW leather strap, which has quick-release spring bars and butterfly deployant clasp.

Condition:
It’s in fantastic condition for a ten year old watch. It’s clearly spent far more time sitting in a box than it has on a wrist. The strap is in great shape, with only minimal signs of wear and the same is true of the case. When you first open the box it could appear to be a new watch, but it’s only when you start a closer inspection and vary the light reflections that you can find a few light signs of use, including a light rub mark on the top left lug, as shown in the relevant picture. I’d call it 97% perfect.

It’s offered as a ‘full set’, including original inner and outer boxes, owner’s book with Certificate of Authenticity, covering letter and unused polishing cloth.

Specs:

• Diameter: 44mm

• Height: 9.7mm

• Calibre: ETA 2824-2

• Water resistance: 5ATM (50m)

• Strap lugs: 22mm

A PDF version of the owner’s manual is available from the CW website:
https://www.christopherward.com/on/demandware.static/-/Library-Sites-cw-library/default/dw227b4cf2/pdfs/Aviation/c8_manual.pdf

Final Notes:
Note the first pic is a library shot. The rest show the actual watch and package.