Christopher Ward C8 'Al Deere' TMB Limited Edition (07/2021)

Introduction

A few years ago Christopher Ward moved from making aviation inspired watches to making a more broad range of military watches. Before that point, CW had a well established history of making aviation 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 remained part of the range until early 2021 when the last few C8 Power Reserves were sold off.

Introduced in March 2018 as a limited edition of 100 pieces, this very special limited edition watch incorporates metal originating from the Rolls-Royce Merlin engine fitted to Supermarine Spitfire Mk1 X4276 (Squadron letters KL-B) - an aeroplane delivered just before the Battle of Britain, and flown by Lieutenant Al Deere, now recognised as one of the most distinguished pilots of World War II. X4276 crashed on December 28 1940, after a mid-air collision during a training exercise. 'Stick to me like glue', Deere had famously briefed trainee Sergeant Harry Squire before take-off. Squire, flying in X4650 KL-A., evidently followed this instruction too well, ramming him in the air and causing the collision, with both bailing out safely. Excavated in September 1987, X4276's Merlin engine has been cut and sits in the backplate of the C8 engaved with Deere's famous message, squadron and crash date. The C8's dial is also inspired by the Smiths Mk III clock found in the Spitfire, whose distinctive "Time of Trip" message is preserved intact inside the C8's small second sub dial.

They were originally priced at £3k, which put quite a few people off and CW struggled to sell the 100 pieces made.

This example is one of those later ones, bought in July 2021, and not been worn since.

Warranty

Comes with warranty card dated July 2021 with the manufacturer’s warranty through to July 2026.

Strap

Fitted with its original, brand new tan CW Italian vintage oak leather strap.

£40 discount if you would rather head only.

Condition

It’s in unmarked condition - it's perfect.

Comes complete with box, cleaning cloth, warranty booklet/card, owner's manual and certificate of authenticity. No COSC certificate.

Keeping great time at +7 spd on the timegrapher, just outside its original COSC spec.

Specs:

• Diameter: 44mm

• Height: 11.0mm

• Calibre: SH21 hand wound chronometer

• Water resistance: 5ATM (50m)

• Strap lugs: 22mm