Christopher Ward C11 MSL Vintage stainless

The C11 was Christopher Ward’s second square men’s watch, following in the footsteps of 2008’s C13/C15 Henley models - C13 being the quartz model and C15 being the auto. Rather than being designed as dress watches like the C13/15, the C11 came in aviation, dive and even motorsport styles.

The aviation style C11 MSL (mean sea level) first surfaced in 2011 with the PVD-coated-case ‘black manta’, with its white markers and original, circular CW logo. In 2012, at the same time as the CHR. WARD logo’s introduction, the C11 range exploded with silver and black case MSLs, Vintage marker MSLs, a quartz chronograph and the very popular C11 Makaira dive range.

The watch in this listing is a stainless finish, vintage marker, self-winding automatic model. The latest/youngest C11s you usually find are all 2015 because that’s when this model was retired. However, the watch in this listing appeared as an ‘archive find’ in July 2017, so it’s pretty likely this is the last one CW ever sold!

Condition
It’s in fantastic condition and actually has more marks from being sat in its case its whole life than it does from having been worn! You can see the indentations on the strap that I’m referring to in the relevant pictures. It has been worn a few times, but is in nearly new condition, with no marks on the head visible to the naked eye - you might find one or two under magnified inspection.

The watch comes in its original presentation case and includes two covering letters and it’s CW warranty card (the movement warranty is valid until July 2022). One of the letters explains it was a historic model when sold, so CW no longer had any hard copy available. A PDF version is available in the link below.

In short, it’s probably the youngest and best condition C11 MSL you’re likely to find.

Specifications

• Case size: 42mm

• Lug width: 22mm

• Height: 10.8mm

• Waterproof: 50m

• 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/dw7acbc0b2/pdfs/Aviation/c11_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 C11 MSLs. So it’s advised to take extra care when pulling the crown out to the time-adjusting position three.