Christopher Ward C900 Worldtimer

The C900 is a pretty unconventional watch on several levels. Rather than the usual 12 hour dial of most mechanical watches, it has a 24-hour face, so 12 noon is in the usual six o’clock position. Things don’t stop there, though: an internal wheel can be set to display global cities both with a red dot on the map and with the three-digit code for the corresponding major airport. Then there’s the hour hands - two of them. One for your local time and one for your second time zone, identified on that previously mentioned zone indicator - making this a great travel companion.

All the mechanical tricks are thanks to what Christopher Ward call their JJ03 movement - which started life as an ETA 2893 and was then customised by renowned watchmaker, Johannes Jahnke (hence the JJ prefix - read more about him and his custom JJ calibres here).

The C900 Worldtimer was launched in 2013 with a hefty £1,500 price tag for the alligator and £1,575 on the bracelet. In 2015 it was made part of Christopher Ward’s ‘995 Club’ promotion, which saw five of their best watches available for £995 (they were the C8 regulator, C11 Extreme, C9 Mk3 Jumping Hour, C1000 Typhoon and the C900 Worldtimer). By the time of its retirement in 2017, the C900 Worldtimer on a Bracelet cost £1,250.

This unusual looking piece didn’t generate too much fanfare when it was a ‘current’ model, but since its retirement a few years ago, interest and desirability has steadily grown, with prices going up and availability going down. In fact the last C900 Worldtimer I sold went to the Watchmaker Museum in Amsterdam!

It’s fitted with the original blue embossed leather strap with Bader deployant clasp. Alternatively I can switch that to an almost new original CW stainless bracelet for an extra £100.

Condition
It’s in immaculate condition, would probably pass as new - although you may find signs of use under magnified inspection. I can’t see any marks or even signs of use of the sapphire, bezel, the lugs, case sides or case back. The only suggestion that it’s ever been on a wrist comes with the strap which has a couple of very light creases.

It comes in the original presentation case and includes the Owner’s Handbook and unused polishing cloth. It’s unfortunately missing the Certificate of Authenticity, so I’m unable to tell you its exact age - it will be somewhere between 2013 and 2017.

Specifications

• Case size: 43mm

• Lug width: 22mm

• Height: 12mm

• Waterproof: 50m

• Movement: modified ETA 2893

User Manual

The 30-page C900 owner’s handbook makes for an interesting read - a PDF version is available on the CW website: https://www.christopherward.com/on/demandware.static/-/Library-Sites-cw-library/default/dwb5e7c8da/pdfs/Dress/c900worldtimer_manual.pdf

Final Notes

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

• The final photo shows a library pic of the watch fitted with the optional bracelet.