Christopher Ward C63 Sealander GMT

Christopher Ward has just released a new model line. In a world of iterative watches, where brands seem more focused on special editions and new dial colors, it’s refreshing for an established brand like CW to come out with a completely new design. The British watchmaker has by this point established itself as a high-value force to be reckoned with, producing some of the best cases available and garnering much fanfare with each release.

The new C63 Sealander collection has a lot of familiar features but stands out as its own. If you’re familiar with the Christopher Ward C60 case, the C63 is quite similar, but sized down to 39-40mm. Three distinct models: the Sealander Elite, a titanium chronometer with a unique retractable crown; the three-hand Sealander Automatic; and reviewed herein, the Sealander GMT.

When I got the press release for this watch a few weeks ago, I immediately got excited. And when I opened the watch up yesterday, all of that excitement was justified. The immediate standouts for me were the inky black dial, the classic trident hand and polished indices, and the sharp numerals on the brushed bezel. But there’s so much more going on here, so let’s dig in.

Lord almighty this case is exceptional. Christopher Ward has gone right ahead and dubbed all their cases “light-catchers,” and it’s plain to see why. Just like the C60 and C65, the C63 uses contrasting finishes on adjacent surfaces to play with light. And do you see that crystal? That’s a flat sapphire. Because it minimizes distortion and reflections and this isn’t some desperate attempt to be vintage.

I’m enamored by the lines. The way the lug tips slope up from underneath to reach the end. The emergence of the crown guards from the thick, brushed facet. The thin polished band on the bezel. Just magic. And here I’ll admit that while the crown is perfectly functional, I’ve not handled too many GMTs, and as such, it wasn’t second-nature to operate–but your experience will be commensurate with your prior time with GMTs.

One thing about the case that truly impressed me was what happened when I put it on a NATO strap. Typically you’ll get a bit of lift, especially from a standard NATO with two layers under the watch head. But the C63 Sealander, with its generously sloped lugs, seemed to just devour those layers, and the increase in height on my wrist was almost undetectable. I was genuinely amazed. Plus, get a load of that nice brushing on the bezel!

Are you happy they moved the logo back to 12 o’clock? Are you? Will you stop complaining about it now? Because it really wasn’t that bad at 9 o’clock. God forbid a brand do something a little different. If you can’t stop carping about it, I’ll be over here enjoying the deep black ink of the dial and ogling those applied indices, what with their little slopes at the ends. Charming.

The handset on the C63 Sealander GMT should be familiar if you know the CW Trident series. I’ve never really liked the massive arrow hour hand and I don’t think it goes with the minute hand. I do really like the brushed tops of the hands, and how they contrast with the polished bevels. And obviously, the trident counterbalance is a win.  (Have you seen people on Instagram posting macro shots to show how the hands on their $60,000 watch are so highly polished that you can see the second hand reflected in them? What do you think it would do to their psyches if they found out a watch that cost a fraction of what they spent could do the same trick?)

Here’s a threefer: further demonstration of the great legibility, a view of the nice round-edge date window (though I may have preferred a frame), and further proof of the sharply finished bezel numbers and plots. I give and I give, don’t I?

Top-quality lume, here. I mean that literally: it’s the best grade of lume that the good folks at RC Tritec (makers of our beloved Super-LumiNova) offer. And Christopher Ward has applied it to the C63 Sealander GMT evenly so it shines brightly everywhere it’s found.

I’m convinced that Christopher Ward has made up the word for their rotor finishing: “Colimaçoné.” For that matter, I’m pretty sure all watch brands make up their fancy names for finishing. What I’ll just call the CW Logo Motif graces the rotor of the new Sellita SW330-2. I don’t mean the one in this watch is brand new (though it is). I mean the movement model is new. In fact, Christopher Ward suggests that the C63 Sealander GMT may be the first watch released with the Sellita’s updated GMT movement, which has an increased power reserve and more precise GMT setting (which I could not appreciate due to my dearth of experience with the SW330-1).

The C63 Sealander GMT is available on a number of strap options. My review piece came with one of the hybrid straps made of Cordura and rubber. It’s extremely comfortable thanks to its flexibility, and the added texture and durability provided by the Cordura is a plus. But as ever, my choice would be to grab the watch on the Christopher Ward bracelet, which I’ve experienced and love, with its quick-release pins, lower profile clasp, and integrated microadjustment function. Additionally, while by no means tall, the watch pops off the wrist a bit on some straps, and the bracelet would mitigate this. If you’re a boring person, though, you can always buy the watch with a leather strap.

Or you can get your own leather strap and pair it like this one, which proves that this watch is a friend even to brown, thanks to the pops of orange in the dial and hands. I also had this on a blue canvas strap and it looked smashing.

(There will be inevitable comparisons to certain iconic Swiss GMTs–even Christopher Ward acknowledges it in their latest issue of Loupe. I wouldn’t have minded a different accent color; I’ve publicly lamented the watch world’s overreliance on orange for GMTs, which always begets the aforementioned comparison. Beyond the color choice, you’re dealing with similar bezel and GMT hand styles; if that’s the threshold for being derivative, we’re all in trouble. Everything else is different on the C63 Sealander GMT, at a significantly more affordable price, and so I’m going to consider this matter settled.)

The C63 Sealander GMT continues the brand’s trend of offering exceptional quality and exceptional value. With ample water resistance, high legibility, and a sleek design, the Sealander collection (and the GMT in particular) beckons its owner to go out and do something–and look good while doing it. Personally, I don’t have much use for a GMT and the hour/minute hand combo is a non-starter for me (having already kept me from the entire C60 line).  But if you’re thinking about a GMT, you’d be a fool not to have this near the top of your list. The entire C63 Sealander collection is live now on the Christopher Ward website. Enjoy.