CHRISTOPHER WARD C60 ABYSS SH21 COSC

For several years the top of the C60 tree was the Apex model. At £3,500, it was the most expensive watch Christopher Ward had ever made, but that didn’t stop all 100 pieces selling out relatively quickly.

Now imagine taking the C60 Apex, switching the face from machined metal to tinted Sapphire, turning everything black and then putting it up for sale at almost the price of an Apex - that’s what CW did with the Abyss SH21!!

Should C60 Apex owners be pissed with the Abyss SH21? For me personally, I say “not at all”. Rather than devaluing my C60 Apex, I think these Abyss SH21s stand out as a great deal. And if a brand new one is great value at £2,140, what does that make a barely used one at £1,500?!

Anyway, enough about the price, what about the watch? It’s powered by an automatic, self-winding version of CW’s famous 120 hour reserve, in-house, COSC-certified, SH21 movement. The 9 o’clock sub dial gives you the current power reserve status and the 6 o’clock sub dial dial displays the seconds.

At 16.35mm high it’s a relatively tall watch, but the dark colours and the ‘light catcher’ case design do their best to disguise it.

You can see the date wheel and various workings through the semi-transparent face and you get a fantastic view of the rotor, double mainspring barrels and other workings through the huge exhibition case back.

Is it easy to tell the time? No, not especially - it’s a stealth watch after all!

Is it sexy as hell? Damn right it is!!

Dial Error

When CW first launched these watches they had 600m printed on the face and in the owner's book, which was a mistake as they're actually rated to 300m. When this error came to light CW changed the faces/books on all their existing stock and contacted all owners to offer them a replacement face with 300m. This watch was not returned to CW, so it still has the incorrect 600m on the face. Personally, I like the fact that it's a 'special' printing error piece, but if you don't feel the same, CW would change the face for you free of charge.

Condition:
It’s a used watch that’s still in almost new condition. The only blemish I can see is a tiny, tiny dot near the 4 of 40 on the bezel. Bracelet appears unmarked. It's clearly had very little wrist time.

It’s a November 2020 watch, so the transferable movement warranty is valid until Nov 2025.

On the timegrapher it’s registering perfect timeing at +/-0sec per day.

Offered as a ‘full set’ in the original CW bamboo case including user book, warranty card, unused polishing cloth, COSC Certificate and two removed bracelet links.

Specs:

• Diameter: 42mm

• Height: 16.35mm

• Movement: Automatic Calibre SH21 Chronometer

• Water resistance: 300m

• Strap: 22mm

Owner’s Book:
A PDF version of the owner manual is available on the CW website: https://www.christopherward.com/on/demandware.static/-/Library-Sites-cw-library/default/dw8f938ad1/pdfs/RetroDive/c65-trident-bronze-sh21-manual.pdf

Final Notes:
The first six pictures are library photos, the rest show the actual watch and package.