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!

Warranty

As a December 2013 watch, the five year CW warranty has long expired, so it comes with a three month Ward Hoard warranty.

Strap

It comes on a distressed brown leather strap with Bader deployant clasp.

It is in reasonable condition - externally, it looks great, with a beautiful patina - internally there are some marks - please see photos.

Condition

For a watch that is over ten years’ old, it is in pretty good condition.  There are a couple of light marks – please see photos for condition. 

Offered as a full set including inner and outer CW boxes, user manual with Certificate of Authenticity, unused polishing cloth and a copy of the standard covering letter of the time.

In summary: a great example of an almost impossible to find watch.

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