SOLD GM WH688 C8 Regulator Mk1 (10/2013)
SOLD GM WH688 C8 Regulator Mk1 (10/2013)
Christopher Ward C8 Regulator PVD Mk1
Introduction
CW has a long history of producing unconventional watches and this C8 Regulator is a perfect example. Sometimes they prove to be very popular (I’m thinking C9 Jumping Hour and C1 Bel Canto), other times things don’t really take off - as was the case with this aviation-inspired piece.
Thanks to a modified Unitas 6498, the face features three dials: the main one is minutes, the top one is hours and the bottom one is seconds.
It was launched in August 2013 and cost £1,000 (£1,300 in today’s money). When you consider that the C60 Trident Pro cost just £400 at the time and CW wasn’t having the easiest of times establishing itself as a seller of four-figure watches, it’s not hard to to understand why sales of this model were slow. It limped on until its retirement in Jan 2016.
But as often happens, what was an unloved, ugly duckling a decade ago is now a very collectable piece which change hands very rarely these days.
That caseback is something else - you may find yourself spending an inordinate amount of time, just looking at the back!
Condition
For a watch that is over ten years’ old, it is in amazing condition - can’t see a mark on it.
Offered with inner and outer CW boxes (some light deterioration as happens with many of that era), user manual with Certificate of Authenticity and unused polishing cloth. It’s even got the original 60:60 tag and the front and back plastic protection.
One of the best examples you will see of an almost impossible to find watch.
Timing? ± 0 spd on the timegrapher.
Warranty
It comes with a three month Ward Hoard warranty.
Strap
It comes on its original distressed brown leather strap with the DLC Bader deployant clasp - you don’t often see these! In fact, the C8 Regulator was the first CW model to feature the Bader deployant clasp.
Like the watch head, it is in fabulous condition, with just some very light marks.
Specifications
Case size: 44mm
Lug width: 22mm
Height: 11mm
Waterproof: 50m
Movement: Unitas 6498 (modified)
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/dwc06a3ef1/pdfs/Aviation/c8regulator_manual.pdf