We all know just how good Christopher Ward are at refreshing their model lines without reinventing the wheel. Take the new C65 Dune GMT as just one example out of many. Just when we thought it couldn’t possibly be improved upon, the British brand swooped in to re-vamp their well-loved Dune Automatic version with a GMT twist. Proving to be just as popular as the original, if not more-so, the C65 Dune GMT was an undeniable hit. Then, just last month, Andrew Morgan Watches partnered up with CW on a very red version of the Bel Canto. Whilst the colour palette certainly struck up some heated debate, “The Red One” is yet more proof of the brand’s willingness to step outside of their own boundaries, and apparently, they aren’t quite finished yet.
These recent renditions weren’t the first, or indeed the last time, Christopher Ward would evolve their line-up to move with the times. The C65 Super Compressor is now the latest in the line-up of Christopher Ward models to receive a makeover, with the C65 Super Compressor Elite launching today into the brands fan-favourite retro-dive line.
The original 2020 model paid homage to E. Piquerez S.A (EPSA), a successful Swiss watch case manufacturer that was eventually lost to the infamous Quartz Crisis. EPSA were responsible for the revolutionary invention of the Super Compressor, a distinctive and rarely seen spring-loaded case type that was designed specifically for diving and worked by sealing tight as external water pressure increased, but unfortunately the case was lost with the company in the 1970s.
For the next fifty years, dive watches equipped with these unique super compressor cases could be primarily found on the second-hand market, but it wasn’t until Christopher Ward stepped in that a modernised alternative suddenly became available.
Just like its ground-breaking predecessor, the new C65 Super Compressor Elite features an authentic super compressor case mechanism that increases water resistance as you descend up to 15 ATM (150 metres). This time around, the compression spring the model takes its name from is visible through an exhibition caseback and framed by an orange aluminium ring.
“We wanted to do something never done before, to allow people to see the compression spring that allows the compressor action. Even though the spring is only 300 microns thick – roughly four times the thickness of a human hair – those with good eyesight (or if you’re like me, a loupe) can see the spring sitting within the caseback. I think that’s pretty cool”
A steel ‘coin’ can also be found at the centre of the sapphire crystal caseback, which has been stamped with the original EPSA logo as well as a diving helmet, historically used as a symbol of a super compressor’s authenticity in the 1970s.Now equipped with an upgraded, COSC-certified Sellita SW300-1 movement with a 56-hour power reserve and a contrasting orange and blue divetimer scale on the inner dial, the C65 Super Compressor Elite once again features a dual crown design, with the extra crown sealed in by two gaskets at two o’clock to control the interior diving bezel.
The C65 Super Compressor Elite makes its way into Christopher Ward’s retro-dive line from today on a choice of Aquaflex, bi-colour Tropic or Bader bracelets. Prices start from £1,395 and more information can be found here.
Christopher Ward C65 Super Compressor Elite Technical Specifications:
- Diameter: 41mm
- Thickness: 13.75mm
- Lug to Lug: 47.12mm
- Lug Width: 22mm
- Case Material: Stainless Steel
- Bezel: Internal Rotating Bezel
- Movement: Automatic Sellita SW300-1 COSC
- Power Reserve: 56 hours
- Vibrations: 28,800 p/hr (4Hz)
- Timing Tolerance: -4/+6 seconds per day
- Water Resistance: 15 ATM (150 Meters)
- Case Weight: 72g
- Vibrations: 28,800 p/hr (4Hz)
- Timing Tolerance: -4/+6 seconds per day
- Lume: SLN C1 X1 BL
