Christopher Ward C65 Dune Aeolian Assessment

I reached up onto the granite boulder and positioned my fingers in a small crack. Discovering a good foothold, I pulled myself upward, shifting my weight in a well-recognized, if rusty, style. I felt the bracelet of my watch press into the rock and reminded myself to make use of my fingers, not my wrist.

The Christopher Ward C65 Dune Aeolian shined in opposition to the granite, glowing with a horny shimmer. Too good for mild bouldering? In all probability.

However the C65 Dune Aeolian carries an inexpensive value for a watch meant to get outdoors. And darn if I’m not going to tug a number of strikes at Joshua Tree, even when my plan is generally mountaineering. The physique could also be off form, however I’m nonetheless a rock climber at coronary heart.

I examined a pre-release C65 Dune Aeolian for the previous month and have been constantly impressed. At $895, it’s removed from an inexpensive watch. However with distinctive match and end and a really good-looking 3D ripple-effect dial, it’s an unimaginable worth that competes with the posh watch section whereas sustaining a value that begs it to be worn.

In brief: Christopher Ward has raised eyebrows by constructing luxurious watches at accessible costs for a number of years. The C65 Dune Aeolian reviewed right here elevates an inexpensive area watch to a surprisingly excessive diploma of luxurious whereas sustaining legibility, sturdiness, and cheap pricing. It’s an awesome worth within the sub-$1,000 value vary.

Examine it with different high decisions within the information to one of the best area watches.

Christopher Ward C65 Dune Aeolian Assessment

Over the past 12 months, I’ve had the chance to check a handful of Christopher Ward watches, and I’ve been impressed with them. The C65 Dune Aeolian could be my favourite but.

Nonetheless, it may not be one of the best area watch should you want a rough-and-tumble, delicate, and super-legible watch. It’s lovely, however should you’re sporting camouflage, bling can actually be a detriment. So bear that in thoughts.

The most important adverse is that this watch could be just a little too fairly for some.

If you happen to’re not in that camp, this watch is a practical magnificence. It appears nice on the wrist, is comparatively straightforward to learn (extra on this later), and runs very precisely on a well-regarded Sellita SW200-1 Automated motion with a 38-hour energy reserve. This Swiss-made workhorse motion is discovered in lots of watches and has confirmed itself a dependable, correct performer. Whereas not precisely premium, the motion winds easily and makes adjustment nice.

Unscrew the extremely reflective and textured crown, and it pulls out crisply. The hand changes are glassy because the crown rolls between fingers. Press it in and pay attention, and the watch ticks reassuringly with a gradual thrum. Each visually and tactilely, the watch radiates high quality.

C65 Dune Aeolian: A Face Like Waves

In all probability essentially the most beautiful ingredient of the watch is its “ripple” face. It appears like waves, notably these brought on by wind on sand. It’s natural, pure, and attention-grabbing.

It’s value noting that Christopher Ward makes a number of fashions within the C65 Dune Aeolian assortment. It is available in 4 face colours: blue (examined), inexperienced, tan, and grey. It additionally is available in a COSC-certified bronze mannequin and a GMT version. The GMT fashions have a considerably totally different look and lack the textured face, so I received’t handle them right here.

I examined a mannequin on a chrome steel bracelet. It was straightforward to resize at dwelling with simply an appropriately sized screwdriver. The clasp features with a straightforward pinch to open, and it unfolds for loads of room to place it over your hand.

The Dune can also be obtainable with a leather-based band. As a area watch, neither of those choices is strictly supreme, however each will do the job and look very nice on the wrist.

As I’ve mentioned earlier than, this watch could be very fairly. It is going to look nice dressed up or down. It ought to seize eyes, however isn’t overly showy. The C65 strikes a pleasant stability, and at 38mm, is a dimension that most individuals will discover comfy.

Whereas the watch is legible in low mild, it falls in need of quick readability. That’s as a result of it makes use of circles and batons for its hour indicators. Whereas there’s nothing fallacious with that, one of the best area watches, no less than for real out of doors, navy, or different laborious use, are inclined to have numerals on the dial.

Numerals result in quicker studying and fewer room for error. It’s a minor nitpick, however it’s one thing to think about should you depend on a look ahead to quick reference in powerful circumstances.

That’s my solely critique of the watch. An extended energy reserve could be beautiful, however it’s comparatively unimportant for a area watch that may by no means depart your wrist whereas within the area. Count on to rewind and set it if it sits in your nightstand longer than a weekend.

Who Ought to Purchase It?

The Christopher Ward C65 Dune Aeolian is a horny Swiss-made wristwatch. It scratches the itch for a luxurious watch, no less than for me. If I had been on the lookout for just a little area watch wrist-bling, I can’t actually see any purpose to spend greater than the $1,000 or in order that certainly one of these variations will value.

In case you are on the lookout for a hard-wearing wristwatch and look is of little concern, there are higher choices. However should you count on this watch to accompany you principally for workplace days and dates, it’s a superb looker. And with critical climate resistance and toughness, it ought to deal with some rougher days on the wrist with no challenge.

Christopher Ward has constructed one other lovely instrument watch with the C65 Dune Aeolian assortment. If it’s not too fairly on your use, it brings numerous worth in a genuinely elevated, elegant area watch.