Christopher Ward has released a watch to celebrate Silverstone staging the British Formula 1 Grand Prix for the coming 17 years. The watch, called the C90 Beckett Power Reserve, reference C90SKK, is named after one of the most demanding sets of corners in any Formula 1 track today. The Beckett's complex provides the spectators with a heart stopping view of the Formula 1 cars as they flick left and right across the corners.
The C90 Beckett is large watch, measuring 43 mm in diameter and 13 mm thick. It is fitted with a sapphire crystal on the front, has a display back and is water resistant to 5 ATM. What is interesting is the dual layer dial.
Photographs: Christopher Ward
Having seen the prototype of the dial, I have to say that it is well made, very beautiful and very retro. I really like the dual layer dial. Please note that the pictures below are from the prototype of the C90 Beckett. At the time when these photographs were taken, Christopher Ward was still working on the size of the date window and also with ETA on the size of the font on the date wheel. Additionally the red tip sweep seconds hand has been replaced with a full silver seconds hand. I would like to thank Mr. Christopher Ward for allowing me the opportunity to meet him and also to take pictures of the watch.
The luminous material in the Arabic numerals of the hour index are very well done, as are the baton hour index markers. The center portion of the dial has the engine turned finishing.
I really like the power reserve display on the dial. It makes the watch looks like it is smiling.
The beautiful case back. It is held by 4 screws. The polish finish is good and you can see that the engraving is well done.
A lot work was also done to fit the calendar display in the round date window. As indicated by Mr. Christopher Ward, when I met him recently, it is easier to display the date in a square or rectangle window as compared to a round window. The problem is get the window the right size so that you can display the date (beyond 10) and still maintains a balance. Of course you can reduce the size of the date font but that would render it difficult to read.
Photograph: Christopher Ward
The movement that powers the C90 Beckett is the new Valgranges A07.161 automatic movement from ETA. The Valgranges movement is larger as compared to the standard ETA movement of similar functionality. The Valgranges that powers the C90 Beckett is a 16-1/2 ligne movement with 24 jewels. It beats at 28,800 A/h and has a power reserve of 45 hours. ETA has specially customized this movement for Christopher Ward.
Photograph: ETA
The watch will retail for about $940 USD. For more information:
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