Christopher Ward C11 Makaira Pro 500

The C11 range of watches didn’t really set the world alight back when they were a current models (2011-2016), but since their retirement, they’ve gone on to become very collectable and desirable indeed. It’s the Makaira and Titanium dive models which are the hottest property - they’re now pretty hard to get hold of, especially in mint condition.

The first C11 (the aviation style MSL) arrived in 2011, but it wasn’t until August of 2012 that CW dropped the dive edition, with its innovative internal rotating bezel (operated by the upper crown). Dubbed the Makaira Pro 500, it initially cost £500 with the silicone rubber strap and £560 on a bracelet - rising to £550 and £610 respectively over the next couple of years.

The Makaira Pro 500 was available with white, blue or orange markers. The two Titanium limited editions had yellow (the £750 Elite) or green (the £1,000 Extreme) markers.

It was thought there were only ever the five dive versions mentioned above, but then in September 2018 a user called Matelot posted on TZ-UK about his friend’s very special Makaira. It transpires the Fleet Diving Unit 1 (think the SAS/SBS in wet suits) commissioned their own run of 50 watches back when the C11 was an active model. Being members of the UK Special Forces, it was no surprise that owners had kept things quiet for several years before its existence became public knowledge. The C11 FDU1 is unique on several fronts: 1) It’s the only C11 Makaira with a black case, 2) It was the only C11 to use a black bracelet and 3) it’s the only CW watch to have been publicly outed as a watch made for members of the Special Forces - with CW’s long history of making watches for the UK military, I’m sure there will be other Special Forces editions, but this is the only one we know about…

…fast forward to 2020 and Guy (aka Bahnstormer_vRS), who is a Moderator on the CW chat forum, became aware of six more FDU1 watches, which went on to be sold by CW to members of the CW forum. Those six extra watches are easily identified by the fact they have standard silver Makaira case backs, as opposed to the black engraved versions the original 50 came with and they came on Hybrid rubber straps instead of bracelets. Fun fact: I bought a black C11 bracelet from CW in 2019 and always assumed it was a prototype which never made it into production - turns out it was from the FDU1 run!

I wasn’t one of the lucky six buyers of the Forum FDU1 watches back in 2020, but when I was offered one by the original buyer in March of this year I grabbed it!

So here we have for sale one of the last six C11 Makaira Fleet Diving Unit 1 watches. It wasn’t cheap when I bought it and it’s certainly not cheap now, but everything has a price. If you want to buy one of the stars of my collection and one of the rarest CWs ever made (one of 56), this is your chance.

Condition
It’s a May 2020 watch which is still in brand new, unworn condition. Fitted with a CW Hybrid rubber strap, also in new condition. The transferable movement warranty is valid until May 2025.

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

Supplied as a full set in a 2020 bamboo case with warranty card, polishing cloth and covering letter directing you to the online PDF version of the user book mentioned below.

Specifications

• Case size: 42mm

• Lug width: 22mm

• Height: 12.5mm

• Waterproof: 500m

• Movement: ETA 2824-2 or Sellita SW200-1 automatic

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/dw234255e3/pdfs/Dive/c11mak_manual.pdf

Final Notes

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

• Having followed CW for many years, I’ve observed a few of instances of crowns being pulled out/off of MSL versions. While I’ve not seen it on a Makaira, it’s still advised to take extra care when pulling the crown out to the time-adjusting position three.