Rolex released their long awaited Explorer II this year; it’s kind of a non-diver grail of mine. It retails for around 8’850USD –
oh, that’s if you’re lucky enough to get your hands on one as you should expect to wait a good 6-18 months to get one.
Meanwhile Christopher Ward has just released something that will happily tide you over until you can get one, or perhaps it might even totally scratch that Explore II itch of yours for good.
This is the new C63 Sealander collection; designed in England and made in Switzerland.
Featuring three go-anywhere, do-everything sports watches that take in everything from an affordable alternative that features an innovative pop-out crown so that you can set one of the world’s best ‘GMT’ movements.
Like its name says this watch has been designed to perform and land and sea: from rock climbers to channel swimmers, deep-sea divers to professional cavers – all require a reliable tool watch to accompany them on their adventures.
The C63 Sealander GMT carries on this tradition, recalling the classic GMT-explorer’s watches of the 1970s (no names mentioned):
then updates it for today – at a price that will leave you with plenty enough left over for your next adventure.
Unlike most of CW’s other GMT watches, the C63 Sealander GMT has a fixed outer bezel.
This is because the early GMT-explorers were designed for spelunkers exploring dark caves who needed to know whether it was AM or PM.
A moveable dial might have prevented an accurate calculation.
Of course, you can use the C63 Sealander’s GMT function this way or to monitor the time zone of your choice – as you would any traditional GMT.
In addition to the obvious and black and white dial offering CW’s new Sealander has blue and green variants available.
The Hunter Green dial is particularly special as its dial has been hand-distressed for an ‘ombré’ finish – a CW specialization – that makes each watch unique.
You could think of the dial like a pair of jeans or perhaps a rusty old v dub beetle: changing subtly as time passes.
There’s also a date window at 6 o’ clock, which gives you more information and balances the Christopher Ward logo at 12.
The watch’s indexes and hands-set are coated with Super-LumiNova® Grade X1 BL C1 for visibility in low light, so if you’re planning on a spot of cave dwelling you’ll at least be able to see what time it is before something nasty jumps out if the shadows and grabs you.
Meanwhile the SNL X1 lume will also put you in good stead for any sea dwelling adventures as will the watch’s 150 meters of water-resistance.
Made from marine-grade 316L Stainless steel, the 39mm CW Light-catcher™ case is not only sized to suit most wrists but is comfortable to wear.
Powering the watch is a Swiss made Sellita SW330-2 GMT, a movement that allows you to set the fourth hand separately. As well as being robust, it has a minimum power reserve of 50 hrs.
Finally, if you like to mix things up your watch, swapping a bracelet for a strap is super-easy thanks to CW’s innovate, quick-release system.
MSRP in the UK is £900 (bracelet version).
Thoughts? If you aren’t some sort of brand snob or purist, this is a lovely looking, affordable alternative to the Rolex Explore II but alas I am at least one of those so it will eventually be a toss up between a Milgauss or the Explorer II.
But what do you think? Do you have a non- diver that you’ve been dreaming of someday owning?
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