When Lightning Strikes: Hands On with the Christopher Ward C1 Bel Canto Lumière

Sometimes it seems like the people at Christopher Ward have too much fun, especially when they dream up new watches. I imagine their R&D department being located high up in the Swiss Alps, Bond-villian style, where they work in great secrecy on their latest and greatest models, such as the new C1 Bel Canto Lumière, which seems to be infused with lightning.

The Bel Canto has been a success story for Christopher Ward, and not without reason. Chiming every whole hour, this Sonnerie au Passage brings an old and almost forgotten complication into the mainstream thanks to an inventive approach and a price that is hard to beat. Since its initial launch, Christopher Ward has been tinkering with the looks of this watch, turning it into a full-blown collection. With the C1 Bel Canto Lumière, that collection now gets an enlightened sibling.

In daylight, this new Bel Canto is already quite a sight to behold. A touch of Miami Vice, a bit of the 1950s Cadillacs and Ford Thunderbirds, it is all there, yet with a contemporary touch. It is now the backdrop for the hammer and gong placed on the dial side of the watch, making the Bel Canto more dramatic than ever. The C1 Bel Canto Lumière is also the first Bel Canto to be fitted with a box sapphire crystal. This provides an additional angle to admire all that is present on the dial side of the watch, while also allowing more light to enter. 

Light is something this Bel Canto greatly rewards, as when things get dark, it lights up as if struck by lightning. Rays of Super-LumiNova light up, drawing your eyes automatically to the brightest center. In the dark, the dial itself becomes the focal point of the Bel Canto. The Globolight ring is complemented by Globolight tips on the hands, creating a spectacular sight and making time easy to read. Even the strap (if you didn't opt for a stainless steel bracelet) chimes in, as its sides are also infused with Super-LumiNova. Altogether it makes for a Bel Canto unlike any other.   

Christopher Ward has always been very clever about being cost-effective, spending time and money where it matters, but also relies on outside sources when they are the better choice. For the movement, the Bel Canto relies on the trusted Sellita SW200-1, with the Sonnerie au Passage module developed in-house by Christopher Ward. They opt to hand-finish the hammer, bridges, and gong, giving a truly high-end experience on the dial side.  

With its diameter of 41mm and height of 13.65mm, the Bel Canto is a pleasantly large watch. The caseback is closed to ensure the best sound performance of the Sonnerie au Passage, and the whole watch offers a satisfying wearing experience that feels about twice the amount of what you actually paid for it. With a price of $4,910 on the Aquaflex lume rubber strap (including all duties and tariffs and only excluding local state tax), the C1 Bel Canto Lumière takes the top spot in terms of price within its collection. It rewards that 10 to 20% more than the other models with its spectacular luminous effect. While some might still prefer the regular or classic version of the watch, the Bel Canto Lumière will, without a doubt, find its own fan base. All things considered, the quality and finishing of the watch, the wearing comfort, the rare complication, and its good looks make the Bel Canto, in general, a watch that offers quite a bang for the buck, and the Lumière is no exception.  

For more info, visit Christopher Ward, here.