It’s not often a relatively new watchmaker sets the world of horology alight. Typically brands incrementally improve their offerings and slowly develop a fanbase. And while Christopher Ward has done those things too since their launch in 2004, they have recently begun to release homerun after homerun with an increasingly long line of admirers beginning to finally pay attention to what they are putting out, and one of the watches they have to thank for that is the Bel Canto – perhaps one of the best value propositons in all of watchmaking. Launched in 2022 as a limited edition release of just 300 pieces, the Bel Canto collection offered collectors the ability to add a chiming watch to their collection for just $3,595. Offered as one of the original references within the Bel Canto collection, the watch we have here is the Bel Canto “Blue Azzuro”, limited to just 300 pieces. Made of titanium and measuring 41mm in diameter, the Bel Canto boasts a stunning dark blue dial that showcases its chiming parts and some of its time-telling assembly. Powered by the automatic cal. FS01 movement, the Bel Canto is a ‘sonnerie au passage’ whereby it chimes the new hour every hour – an impressive complication to offer for Christopher Ward’s price range and a serious marker of their intent as a watchmaker with an eye on doing things no one else has ever done before.

An incredibly impressive complication to offer to their customers at such an attainable pricepoint, it is no surprise that the Bel Canto has been so positively received by the watch-collecting masses with its stunning display and unique complication looking like something you would only find in a watch ten times its price.