Considering its astonishing year of new releases, Christopher Ward didn’t necessarily need to prove that it’s arguably the best affordable luxury watchmaker in the game. In 2024 alone, the British outfit celebrated its 20th anniversary with models like the sub-$5,000 skeletonized version of The Twelve Titanium, a limited-edition chime watch, and, my personal favorite, the C1 Moonphase that cost just above two grand. These only garnish the flagship lineup that features the ever-popular C60 Trident — one of our picks for the best Rolex Sub alternatives around.
For 2025 (the actual 20th anniversary of its first watch releases), CW is introducing only its 2nd-ever in-house movement, housed in this kinetic and beautiful C12 Loco.
ENGINE EXPOSED
Christopher Ward has every right to be thrilled about its latest creation. The C12 Loco represents the brand’s most audacious creation yet, placing its beating heart — a custom-designed free-sprung balance wheel — smack dab in the center of the dial, visible under the box sapphire crystal.
At first glance, I thought this was CW’s attempt at a tourbillon dial, but the exposed escapement and a visible balance wheel are merely reminiscent of this haute horology spectacle and part of the beauty and magic of this timepiece. Coming in at well under $5,000, the Loco is a fraction of the price of an average tourbillon or open-balance wheel watch, and more attractive than most.
A Sporty DNA
Building on the foundation of the already impressive case for CW’s flagship integrated sports watch, The Twelve, the C12 Loco finds refinements with how it revises the dimensions, upping things to 41mm across and 13.7mm in thickness. Likewise, there’s a steeper downturn from the case to the integrated stainless steel bracelet which should help with the ergonomics of its fit.
BALANCE OF POWER
One of the things that makes the C12 Loco truly special is its deliberate, almost obsessive attention to symmetry. Where most open-balance watches feel like an afterthought (simply cutting away dial material to expose standard components), the stainless steel watch was engineered from the ground up around its visual centerpiece. The actual watch face above the open movement makes for a mesmerizing three-dimensional effect, with strong horizontal bridge lines that bring a masculine architecture to the rounder motif.
Unexpected Color
Available in Pasadena Blue, Ursa Black, Alabaster White, or Frisco Orange dial colors, the Loco manages to be playful yet luxurious with options for both refined and everyday situations. The blue and orange particularly elevate this beyond the typical monochromatic fare in the luxury category. But regardless of colorway, the multi-level dial creates dramatic depth with contrasting brushed and grained surfaces that play with light from different angles.
Aside from the integrated steel bracelet option, you can also get the Loco with a rubber strap in colors that match the respective dials.
MOVEMENT MATTERS
We’re honestly burying the lede by not yet diving into the star of the show, which is Christopher Ward’s brand-new in-house movement, the manually-wound CW-003. The last time the watchmaker had an in-house movement was way back in 2014 with the debut of the SH21 for its 10th anniversary.
Viewed through the exhibition caseback window, the CW-003 beats at 28,800vph with a timing accuracy of -0/+7 seconds per day. But perhaps most notably, the power reserve gives you a whopping 144 hours of juice! You’ll also note the meticulous hand-finishing on the bridges in both front and back. Again, we can’t stress enough just how impressive this level of detail is on a sub-$5,000 timepiece.
Spec Sheet
Model: Christopher Ward C12 Loco
Case Material: Stainless steel
Case Size: 41mm
Case Thickness: 13.7mm
Movement: In-house CW-003 manually-wound
Power Reserve: 144 hours
Frequency: 4Hz
Water Resistance: Unspecified
Crystal: Box sapphire front and back
Band: Integrated steel bracelet or FKM rubber strap
Pricing & Availability
Priced at $4,595 on a rubber strap or $4,825 on the steel bracelet, theC12 Loco is available now as part of Christopher Ward’s permanent range.
Recap
Christopher Ward C12 Loco
Further proving its position as one of the best affordable luxury brands around, Christopher Ward drops the C12 Loco with an open-heart dial and its second-ever in-house movement.
