Christopher Ward - The Twelve

[tufa]

Apparently a new sports model with integrated bracelet is coming.
Did anyone manage to snap some pictures from the preview today?

[csquared317]

https://preview.redd.it/christopher-...abled&5f8682a1

Pics are starting to come out.

[Yoda_Eating_Pizza]

I can't access that reddit link, but someone put a screenshot at watchuseek.
https://www.watchuseek.com/threads/c...eaked.5490220/

[WatchEater666]

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[WatchEater666]

A little boring after the 200 IQ Bel Canto TBH!

[INC]

This watch immediately reminded me of several watches, and I figured out what was in my mind after reading some comment: Yes, this is really a cheap clone of Czapek Antarctica, so the pricing looks outrageously expensive to me.

Also +1 to WatchEater666: After Bel Canto, I'm left with only one question: "WHAT? That's all folks?" After coming up with something brand new, did they immediately go down to the copy+paste watchmakers industry? This seems like a very disappointing act to me.

[taura]

This makes full sense for the brand. They openly declare their inspirations for several models (Aquitaine = Fifty Fathoms etc.) on their website, which I much like. Why wouldn't they go for the integrated bracelet style as well? Looks like a cool alternative for those who want a care-free summer watch that doesn't cost 5 figures. I'm looking forward to full release.

[RolexSimon]

This looks remarkably similar to the Czapek Antarctique I have on order..... at a fraction of the price!!

[DoricSpiker]

I think they look good. Complete Czapek take but so what.

[Yoda_Eating_Pizza]

They went somewhat heavy in the dial waffle. But the titanium in blue with the fade to black edges has piqued my interest. I'll wait until more videos come out, it's a little hard to judge how the dial plays with the light in static photos.

[samson66]

I like it but won't be purchasing. Just seems like a neat watch I'd rarely ever wear. If I wanted to wear it as a dress watch I'd wear my Datejust. If for sport it's going to have a lot of competition in my collection so I think I'll stay away. Still an impressive release even if a bit derivative of other watches out there (Omega Constellation comes to mind). I still wish CW would come out with an in-house movement. I've just had enough of the same Sellita movement in so many of their watches. A 36 hours power reserve just doesn't cut it these days.

[samson66]

Hmmm I'm noticing some similarities

[enjoythemusic]

Originally Posted by samson66

Hmmm I'm noticing some similarities

Until you turn it over and see the back.

Does CW plan to also offer rubber and leather straps in various colors?

[samson66]

Originally Posted by enjoythemusic

Until you turn it over and see the back.

Does CW plan to also offer rubber and leather straps in various colors?

I watched a YT video and they mentioned black, blue and one other color on the straps

The back of that Czapek is hot!

[Slimpee]

The embargo was lifted:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=WJEtsa6fmqw

I’d be really interested in the Ti version but I’m not crazy abt those dials.

[enjoythemusic]

Originally Posted by samson66

I watched a YT video and they mentioned black, blue and one other color on the straps

Cool! The Astral Blue dial looks great.

[PhilLynott]

Originally Posted by enjoythemusic

Cool! The Astral Blue dial looks great.

I ordered this one. I've not been a fan of titanium in the past and want to give another try and this is a great looking watch for the price and if I don't love it I'm sure my girlfriend

[thesingularity7]

Originally Posted by INC

This watch immediately reminded me of several watches, and I figured out what was in my mind after reading some comment: Yes, this is really a cheap clone of Czapek Antarctica, so the pricing looks outrageously expensive to me.

Originally Posted by RolexSimon

This looks remarkably similar to the Czapek Antarctique I have on order..... at a fraction of the price!!

Originally Posted by DoricSpiker

I think they look good. Complete Czapek take but so what.

Originally Posted by samson66

Hmmm I'm noticing some similarities

To everyone calling out the perceived similarity between the 12 and the Antarctique, I think it is worth noting that both brands share the same designer in their teams.

Adrian Buchmann, Christopher Ward's Swiss head of product design is also one of Czapek's designers and worked closely with the Antarctique. The industry is a lot more intertwined than people seem to realize.

Czapek Antarctique: https://blogantarctique.czapek.com/concept/



Christopher Ward: https://www.christopherward.com/int/...English-design

[samson66]

Originally Posted by thesingularity7

To everyone calling out the perceived similarity between the 12 and the Antarctique, I think it is worth noting that both brands share the same designer in their teams.



Adrian Buchmann, Christopher Ward's Swiss head of product design is also one of Czapek's designers and worked closely with the Antarctique. The industry is a lot more intertwined than people seem to realize.



Czapek Antarctique: https://blogantarctique.czapek.com/concept/







Christopher Ward: https://www.christopherward.com/int/...English-design

Fixed that for you

[enjoythemusic]

Omg lol ^^^

All good, still feel the Monochrome is the most versatile. Glad it has the elongated 12.

wristscan_7284861.jpg

[EdwardC]

I feel this is targeting the people who wants a Tissot TRX but something more special and don't mind to pay a bit more. And yes that's too much of copying cues from different models.

[enjoythemusic]

Or Zenith Defy.

[Ferdelious]

I like it.

[Bug04]

Well, the master of watches army in the clocks parallel universe would state that a shared designer should have, and / or self apply, some constraints to avoid almost cloned looks spread among clients/employers, a situation that instead seems to be reminded here

Originally Posted by thesingularity7

To everyone calling out the perceived similarity between the 12 and the Antarctique, I think it is worth noting that both brands share the same designer in their teams.

Adrian Buchmann, Christopher Ward's Swiss head of product design is also one of Czapek's designers and worked closely with the Antarctique. The industry is a lot more intertwined than people seem to realize.

Czapek Antarctique: https://blogantarctique.czapek.com/concept/



Christopher Ward: https://www.christopherward.com/int/...English-design

[Russell996]

Originally Posted by Bug04

Well, the master of watches army in the clocks parallel universe would state that a shared designer should have, and / or self apply, some constraints to avoid almost cloned looks spread among clients/employers, a situation that instead seems to be reminded here

Perhaps they think the Czapek being 21x the price is enough of a differentiator

[alllexandru]

Watch looks good and again proves that all the crazy prices of other manufacturers are blow in the air (not referring to Czapek but especially to IWC Ing)

9mm think Ti at 1.300 rubber or 1.800 bracelet looks very tempting with those dials plus cosc

Good job looking fwd to see them at the stores

[Bug04]

Goodwill (= look in this case of discussion) may be a very easy … ”source of inspiration”, but has its material cost impacting the books of who first created it.
But I agree, watch looks good. Of course the contents vs the “inspirer” are much different, but it’s absolutely normal considering the price gap.

Originally Posted by alllexandru

Watch looks good and again proves that all the crazy prices of other manufacturers are blow in the air (not referring to Czapek but especially to IWC Ing)

9mm think Ti at 1.300 rubber or 1.800 bracelet looks very tempting with those dials plus cosc

Good job looking fwd to see them at the stores

[INC]

Originally Posted by thesingularity7

To everyone calling out the perceived similarity between the 12 and the Antarctique, I think it is worth noting that both brands share the same designer in their teams.

With all due respect, I still think that a Czapek is a Czapek, but a Czopy is nothing more than a copy. Not a replica, but a "homage".

I think a good watch does not need to create an ideology, and especially not if it is aimed at explaining how and why it differs from another watch despite the overall layout. IMHO, if the designers are REALLY good, they should have no problem coming up with something really new. Hiring the "big names" just to prove in a copyright lawsuit that they had the right to design an almost identical watch... You know, it might be a good strategy for winning a lawsuit, but it can in no time get lost a fan club of the Bel Canto, that's for sure. And destroying this myth with a cheap homage version of an expensive watch, in my opinion it's a bad marketing strategy. But it's my opinion only

[enjoythemusic]

Guys, on the plus side usually you have to go to AliExpress for 'homages' like this. Thankfully, with CW you get an original mashup of sorts with the added benefit of a nice SW300 movement.

Win-win.

[Bug04]

Fair point.
Anyway, I am starting thinking that the CW is called Twelve because the key difference with the Antarctique 12 dial is exactly the 12!

Originally Posted by enjoythemusic

Guys, on the plus side usually you have to go to AliExpress for 'homages' like this. Thankfully, with CW you get an original mashup of sorts with the added benefit of a nice SW300 movement.

Win-win.