Christopher Ward Launches New Integrated Watch, The Twelve

Christopher Ward has revealed an entirely new collection called The Twelve, an integrated bracelet sport/dress watch with slim dimensions, a slick dial texture, and, naturally, a 12 sided bezel piece. The new watches take a broad slice of inspiration from history, and land in relatively familiar territory as a result, however, as a whole, end up representing something unique in the sub $1,500 price range: a fully integrated steel or titanium bracelet paired to a sub 10mm case with a chronometer spec movement inside. The brand is quite upfront about taking a page out of history with this one, going so far as directly naming the standard bearers to place their watch in some pretty prestigious company right off the bat. 

The Twelve is a 40mm watch that gets steel and titanium variants. The steel examples measure 9.95mm in thickness, while the titanium pair shave a full millimeter off that number to crack just under 9mm. The lug to lug distance is 44.5mm, and that measurement appears to be taken from the ends of the case that link to the bracelet, which are fixed male pieces. The weight of the steel watch is 65 grams, while the titanium tips the scales at a mere 41 grams. Overall, an impressive set of numbers that should equate to a pretty incredible on-wrist experience, though we can’t say for sure until we’re able to get some hands-on time with it.

Each of the material options utilize Sellita automatic movements, with the steel getting an SW200 rated to +/- 20 seconds per day, while the titanium gets an SW300 COSC unit, which brings that tolerance to -4/+6 seconds per day. Each set their date complication at 6 o’clock on the dial, with a disc that’s been color matched to the dial. Impressively, they’ve managed to use an exhibition caseback here on both options and still keep the thickness to an absolute minimum.

Stepping back to take in the watch as a whole, there’s clear inspiration here from the brand’s referenced in the press materials, but there’s one that’s not, which I happen to find the most similarities to, and that’s the Czapek Antarctique Passage de Drake. That watch features a dial texture, and even colorways, that read very similarly to what Christopher Ward has done with The Twelve, and while that’s not necessarily a bad thing, I’d venture to say that a different texture style or colorways would have created some welcome distance between the two. Of course, the Czapek is north of $20k and not exactly easy to find, so all in all not the end of the world, but I don’t think it needed to be leaned into as closely as it has been. 

None of this to say that The Twelve is a bad looking watch, it certainly is not. The dial texture that reads close to barleycorn from a distance, is actually a small cross section that’s been raised out of the dial slightly, allowing for light to play between the peaks and valleys. It’s a lovely effect in images, if a touch on the aggressive side, which effectively wrests the focal point away from the angular case.

Christopher Ward correctly points out a defining feature of watches in this genre has been their ability to phase between places like the golf course and the boardroom, and suitable attire at poolside or at a black-tie soiree. While I don’t frequent any of those places, the point stands that this should be a flexible enough design to work up and down the wardrobe and not feel out of place regardless of your activity. I love watches like that. Just how well The Twelve takes this on is yet to be seen, but the dial colors on offer might be their limiting factor. 

The titanium examples are offered in fume blue or deep violet, each of which look pretty good, but may present issues when pairing with some outfits. The steel options get both dark and light blue, as well as gray and white dial options. Further, all of them are offered on a rubber bracelet which can be swapped on the fly thanks to quick release tabs on the springbar. 

The Twelve is certainly an interesting and even unexpected watch that opens a new pathway for Christopher Ward. Regardless of your feelings on its inspiration or on integrated sport watches at all, there’s no denying that they’ve achieved some pretty ambitious goals that ought to have us re-framing our value proposition once again. But, there’s a difference between simply doing something, and doing it well, but early indications are indeed good here. We’ll know for sure when we get our hands on one of these for in-depth review soon. 

The Twelve is priced from $995 in steel on a rubber strap, and $1,225 on a bracelet; and from $1,375 in titanium on a rubber strap, and $1,825 on a bracelet. Christopher Ward.