After a long year of designing, developing and testing we are so excited to finally announce our collaboration with Christopher Ward! Introducing the new Christopher Ward + WatchGecko C65 Aquitaine, a limited-edition watch which will be exclusively available from WatchGecko and limited to only 50 pieces!
Inspiration
The Christopher Ward + WatchGecko C65 Aquitaine is designed to be a professional dive watch inspired by the first modern dive watches of the 1950s, combined with the dressy elegance and versatility Christopher Ward is known for. This watch is not only more refined but also remarkably thin, and it has all of the robustness and precision that contemporary Swiss watchmaking has to offer.
The name Aquitaine references the coastal region in the southwest of France, which is also the location where the well-known French diver Jacques Cousteau was born. The C65 Aquitaine blends the best aspects of a traditional dive watch with those of a sophisticated yachting timepiece.
Design
The dial, of course, is the most recognisable addition to the C65 line. It has a brand-new design that has not been seen anywhere else in the Christopher Ward collection before. The blue and white colourway was inspired by the history of regatta races such as the America’s Cup, with a feel that is unmistakably nautical. The updated bezel insert, on the other hand, is something that has remained consistent throughout the Aquitaine C65 line. This watch features a Fifty Fathoms-inspired sapphire bezel insert rather than the more common aluminium one, giving the watch some added durability.
The water resistance of the new Aquitaine watch has been increased to 200 meters, which is an impressive feat considering the thickness of the case is kept below 13 millimetres. The Christopher Ward banding has been moved to the caseback, which also proudly displays the individual model number for each watch.
Not only are the large lumed 'dot' marks in the applied polished indexes highly visible, but they are also rather aesthetic, not to mention that they are incredibly long-lasting. Then there's Christopher Ward's characteristic "Light Catcher" case, which has a slimmer side profile. With a combination of brushed and polished finishes, the 41mm case is suitable for most wrist sizes and its curves make it very comfortable to wear while looking great from any angle.
The Dry Marshal function, which was first seen in the Aquitaine collection, is another useful addition to the watch. The tube that the crown rests on has been modified to have an orange and copper colouration to warn you if the crown isn’t screwed down properly.
Movement
Powering the watch is the automatic Sellita SW200-1 caliber. It has a power reserve of 38 hours and an accuracy of +/- 20 seconds each day, beating 28,800 vibrations per hour which creates an incredibly smooth sweep of the seconds hand.
Straps
Thanks to the quick-change mechanism, straps and bracelets can be swapped out with ease and without tools, ideal as this watch comes with a range of strap options to choose from! This includes the original Christopher Ward bracelet, featuring screw pins for quick and easy sizing; the bracelet also has an increased taper and an updated quick-release mechanism.
If you prefer to swap out your bracelet for a NATO or leather strap option, we have you covered with a variety of curated straps to choose from, all including a collaboration exclusive stainless steel buckle featuring the Christopher Ward + WatchGecko logo.
