British watchmaker, Christopher Ward has a new flagship model in the form of The Twelve X. We’re big fans of The Twelve here at T3, so naturally we’re pretty excited about the new model – and with a titanium case and skeleton dial, it doesn’t disappoint.
Powered by the company’s in-house Calibre SH21 automatic mechanical movement – a first for the Twelve collection – the X also premieres Christopher Ward’s new integrated bracelet, which has a micro-adjustment function for the first time. This means the wearer can adjust the bracelet by up to 3mm without adding or removing links.
Equally new is the X’s skeletal design, which gives a detailed view of the movement within, plus there’s a sapphire exhibition case back, too.
The movement uses a twin-barrel design and has a power reserve of 120 hours – enough for the watch to keep accurate time when not worn for up to five days when fully-wound. This is also the first member of the Twelve family to have a case made from two types of titanium. The bulk of the 41mm case is made of type two titanium, while denser, higher-grade type five titanium (as found on the company’s C1 Bel Canto) is used for the bezel and case back.
Because the movement is on full display, Christopher Ward says it has paid special attention to the look of every component – more so than if they were hidden by a conventional dial. Many of these exposed parts of the mechanism are deliberately made a fraction of a millimeter too tall, so they can be machine-polished down to the right size, using custom-made diamond cutters.
Instead of being a limited-edition timepiece, as is often the case with Christopher Ward, The Twelve X is an open series watch, suggesting it’ll be in production for quite some time. Water resistant to 10 ATM (190 metres), the watch marks both 20 years of watch production by Christopher Ward, and also 10 years of its Calibre SH21 movement. It is also the most expensive watch the company currently sells, with a price tag of £3,750 on a black rubber strap and £4,120 on a titanium bracelet.
That said, the company is keen to say how it strives to offer better value for money than some better-known rivals.
Upgrade to smarter living
Get the latest news, reviews, deals and buying guides on gorgeous tech, home and active products straight to your inbox.
Mike France, co-founder and CEO of Christopher Ward, said how The Twelve X “demonstrates the core value principle of CW: that a piece should never be sold for more than three times the cost of its manufacture. In the £1,000 price range, we offer the design, finishing, materials and general quality of a watch typically seen at two or three times the price. But in this £3,000-4,000 ballpark, the contrast is even more stark.”
Alistair is a freelance automotive and technology journalist. He has bylines on esteemed sites such as the BBC, Forbes, TechRadar, and of best of all, T3, where he covers topics ranging from classic cars and men's lifestyle, to smart home technology, phones, electric cars, autonomy, Swiss watches, and much more besides. He is an experienced journalist, writing news, features, interviews and product reviews. If that didn't make him busy enough, he is also the co-host of the AutoChat podcast.
-
Ring upgrades its subscription service with 24/7 recording and doorbell calls
Ring announces five new subscription features to the Ring Home app
By Bethan Girdler-Maslen Published
-
Garmin Lily 2 Active smartwatch adds powerful new feature for better activity tracking
Could the new addition make the Lily 2 Active a must-have upgrade?
By Matt Kollat Published
-
A Week on the Wrist with the OMEGA Speedmaster Professional – near-perfection with a dose of space history
Whisper it, but the OMEGA Speedmaster is probably better than the Rolex Daytona
By Roland Moore-Colyer Published
-
More than two years on, is the MoonSwatch still worth it?
I’m late to the MoonSwatch party, but that doesn’t matter
By Alistair Charlton Published
-
These new Seiko watches are inspired by a Tokyo cocktail bar
Drink it in: these Seiko watches are named after Tokyo’s Star Bar
By Alistair Charlton Published
-
These special dive watches celebrate World Manta Day in colourful style
Carl F. Bucherer expands its diving watch collection with three new timepieces
By Bethan Girdler-Maslen Published
-
OMEGA’s new Constellation watch puts the night sky on your wrist
OMEGA adds to its Constellation collection with a stunning new timepiece
By Bethan Girdler-Maslen Published
-
Seiko Prospex Speedtimer is a seriously seventies throwback and we’re here for it
Seiko's new chronograph is a beautiful 70s homage
By Alistair Charlton Published
-
Ralph Lauren reinvents the Polo watch in bright, bold colours
Ralph Lauren launches the newest generation of the Polo Watch
By Bethan Girdler-Maslen Published
-
TAG Heuer Carrera shifts up a gear with new Extreme Sport collection
TAG goes ultra technical with new revived Extreme Sport series
By Alistair Charlton Published