Introduction
Few watches have transformed perceptions of a brand quite as dramatically as the Christopher Ward C1 Bel Canto. Created around the wonderfully romantic idea of a watch that announces the passing of each hour with a single audible chime, the original Bel Canto brought an unusually sophisticated complication to an accessible price point. Its significance was recognised in 2023 when it received the Petite Aiguille Prize at the Grand Prix d'Horlogerie de Genève, becoming the first British watch brand to win a GPHG award.
The C1 Bel Canto Classic takes the same ingenious concept in a more traditional direction. This Azzurro version combines its vivid blue guilloché-patterned base with a floating Roman numeral time display and exposed chiming mechanism, including the distinctive bird-shaped hammer and polished gong. A pusher at 4 o'clock allows the wearer to activate or silence the hourly chime, with the mechanism's red-tipped "beak" providing a visual indication of its status.
Loupe This Scorecard
Grade
M 9
Status
Vetted & Approved
Included
Box and papers
Est. value range
$2,000 – $3,000
The Details
Brand
Christopher Ward
Dimensions
41mm x 13.2mm
Model
C1 Bel Canto Classic Azzurro
Movement
Automatic Sellita SW200-1 with FS01 chiming module
Reference
C01-41APT3-T00B0-B0
Bracelet
Leather strap
Year
2025
Condition
Near mint
Material
Grade 5 titanium
Included
Box and papers
Dial Color
Azzurro blue
THE DIAL
The Azzurro display combines a traditional Roman numeral time subdial with the Bel Canto's dramatically exposed striking mechanism. Its base plate features an intricate guilloché pattern created using femtosecond laser technology, while the polished gong, bridges and bird-shaped hammer give the dial considerable mechanical depth. The result successfully combines the Classic's more traditional aesthetic with the wonderfully unconventional architecture of the original Bel Canto.
THE CONSTRUCTION
The 41mm Light-catcher case is manufactured from lightweight Grade 5 titanium, a material chosen not only for comfort but also for its acoustic properties, helping the case resonate when the mechanism strikes. A box-shaped sapphire crystal enhances the watch's three-dimensional appearance, while the pusher at 4 o'clock allows the hourly chime to be switched on or off. This example is fitted with the titanium Bader bracelet with its micro-adjustable clasp.
TIMING MACHINE READOUT
This reading was taken (crown down) with a ONEOF Accuracy Boutique Edition timing machine at time of cataloging. It is provided as a courtesy only, and shall not be construed as a warranty or guarantee of any kind. Please refer to our terms and conditions of sale for more information.
Condition
Watch is in overall near-mint condition. The titanium case shows signs of careful wear. The strap shows signs of use, while the deployant clasp has a number of surface scratches. Comes with the inner and outer boxes, guarantee, and a spare Christopher Ward strap with deployant clasp.
Our Perspective
The Bel Canto is arguably the watch that changed Christopher Ward's standing within modern watchmaking. Transforming a relatively conventional automatic calibre into an engaging sonnerie au passage while making much of the mechanism visible on the dial was both clever and wonderfully theatrical. The Classic builds convincingly on that achievement, and the combination of the Azzurro guilloché display, Roman numerals and titanium bracelet gives this version a particularly distinctive balance between traditional watchmaking cues and contemporary engineering.
Justin Gruenberg
Co-founder
