Christopher Ward C70 VW4 Chronometer Chronograph Limited Edition

In 2013 Christopher Ward launched the 1957 piece C70 VW4 COSCs to celebrate the 1957 victory at Aintree of the Vanwall VW4 racing car. Driven by Tony Brooks and Stirling Moss, it was the first time a World Championship Grand Prix race had been won in Britain by a British car, driven by British drivers.

The '20' at 12 o'clock pays homage to the race number on Brooks and Moss' car at the time.

It’s a June 2016 watch, so it’s one of the later ones. Earlier models came with ‘fitted end’ leather straps with the butterfly deployant clasp, later watches tended to come with ‘universal’ rounded shoulders with a standard tang buckles - the advantage of these later straps is that they last longer and the watch can be laid down flat when you take it off, which you can’t do with the fitted straps. The advantage with the earlier straps is they look better and the clasps are nicer.

It’s powered by the remarkably accurate and COSC certified ETA 251.233 calibre.

Condition

If you’re familiar with C70s, you’ll know their exposed aluminium bezel has a reputation for getting fairly easily marked - with daily worn examples looking like they’ve spent more time in a cement mixer than on a wrist!

This example has been worn so the bezel has picked up various blemishes - nothing really needing singling out for particular attention though.

Elsewhere on the polished sections of the case you’ll find light marks from use - a bit of Cape Cod time would get the case looking like new again.

It’s fitted with an original CW brown leather strap which is in good used condition, penty of life left in it.

Supplied as a ‘full set’ including original case, owner’s manual (with certificate of authenticity) and unused polishing cloth, copy of the standard covering letter and the COSC certificate.

Battery age is unknown.

In summary, it’s a good used example of this very collectable and in this case very wearable, LE model.

Specifications

• Case size: 42mm

• Lug width: 22mm

• Height: 10.7mm

• Waterproof: 100m

• Movement: ETA 251.233 COSC quartz

User Manual

A PDF version on the owner’s handbook is available on the CW website: https://www.christopherward.com/on/demandware.static/-/Library-Sites-cw-library/default/dwda20ce4b/pdfs/Motorsport/c70vw4_manual.pdf

Final Notes

• Note the first pic is a library shot, the rest all show the actual watch and package.