At the turn of the New Year the WatchGecko team predicted that 2025 would bring with it a wave of exciting watch collaborations and it didn’t take long for that wish to come true…
British Watchmakers’ Day 2025 saw a genuine display of camaraderie forming between fellow members of the alliance as they transitioned from the uncertain competitiveness of the inaugural event last year to something more familiar and mutually supportive.
Perhaps the most memorable example of this was the literally show-stopping cocktail-inspired collaboration presented by Studio Underd0g and Fears, but, whilst Christopher Ward did things their own way on the day, this release proves it’s never too late for new alliances to form.
Christopher Ward x Mr Jones Watches C1 Moonphase Celestial
For the latest Christopher Ward collaboration, the C1 Moonphase is once again revamped with the arrival of the Celestial. Featuring stunning visuals that are instantly recognisable as belonging to Mr Jones Watches (but also feel so dreamy that they wouldn’t feel out of place in a Studio Ghibli movie), the Christopher Ward x Mr Jones Watches C1 Celestial Moonphase is a true partnership between the two British brands with each bringing to the table the thing they do best.
The Celestial’s whimsical design features a dream-like skyspace complete with gilded silver stars, purple birds and a friendly cartoon moon gliding above a bed of 3D pastel clouds. Designed as part of an internal competition at MJW where all staff were encouraged to take part, the mini diorama of the night sky found on the dial belongs to Bea Watts (Lead Assembly Technician) and was brought to life in true collaborative fashion by William Brackfield (CW’s Senior Designer).
In MJW’s characteristically unconventional style, time-telling with the Celestial isn’t as simple as mere hour and minute hands or markers. Instead, the passing of time is poetically depicted by two purple swallows who circle each other on transparent rotating discs. The bird nearest the dial rim is the minutes and its slower companion points out the hours. It’s not an “at-a-glance” watch by any means, and you might have to take a closer look whilst you get used to the design, but it’s arguably far more legible than other MJW examples and shouldn’t put off those who are better accustomed to Christopher Ward’s more traditional designs.
Having said that, Christopher Ward have already been a part of two humorous collaborations with horological vandal seconde/seconde, not to mention their own tounge-in-cheek take on the moonwatch for British Watchmakers’ Day. Little by little they’ve begun poking fun at themselves and, even as the brand continues to grow far beyond the confines of its status as a microbrand, it’s encouraging to see the brains behind the independent enjoying plenty of hard-earned creative freedom with collaborators like Mr Jones Watches evidently keen to coax out their more playful side.
Merging MJW’s flair for unique designs with CW’s tried and true build quality feels like a match made in heaven. Featuring the new 37mm Light-catcher™ case that was first seen in 2024 on the updated and GPHG nominated C1 Moonphase 37mm, the more restrained dimensions lend themselves beautifully to this limited-edition and effortlessly cater to the trend of gradually decreasing case sizes.
Whilst I have heard a few whispers of unease regarding the case height (13.10mm), the 37mm Light-catcher™ wears smaller than the specs suggest and feels balanced on the wrist. Capable of flattering pretty much all wrist sizes and as unisex as they come, the Celestial is elegantly accessible to all.
The movement was left in Christopher Ward’s capable hands but this isn’t the first time that the two brands have quietly put their heads together. Back in 2021 Mr Jones Watches entrusted the calibre of their Indefatigable Sphinx watch to Christopher Ward who equipped it with a custom-made Swiss made Sellita movement complete with jump hour module.
This time around, the Celestial, naturally, features Christopher Ward’s in-house JJ04 Calibre which makes use of the Sellita SW220-1 as its base and has equipped every moon phase offering by the brand since the original 40mm C1 Moonphase launched in 2023.
Typically you can expect a moon phase complication to transition once daily, but CW have opted for a more dynamic approach, making use of four wheels to drive the moon disc and another two for the setting mechanism. The result is a smooth flowing movement that is perpetually in motion as it represents each waxing and waning of the moon. Operating at 28,000 vph (4Hz) with a 38-hour power reserve, the JJ04 module can reliably track the lunar cycle for up to 128 years if kept wound.
Final Thoughts - is it worth it?
The C1 Moonphase Celestial is available on Christopher Ward's slick Leather Bader (in grey or, as pictured, blue) for £2,195 or £2,330 on the Stainless Steel bracelet. Whilst we are definitely taking a leap here from the affordability of Mr Jones Watches typical offerings, when you consider the undeniable build quality that comes with the CW name, it's a no-brainer.
For the price you get a sleek and extremely wearable 37mm case, a decent 38-hours of power reserve and most importantly the reliable JJ04 Calibre moonphase which attests to track the moon's cycle for longer than we'll be around to verify.
Not to forget the design, courtesy of Mr Jones Watches, which elevates the naturally poetic moonphase complication into a league of its own.
Arguably this won't be for everyone but personally, I’ve always been a huge fan of the moonphase. Love it, hate it, find it pointless – all of the above are fine. For me though, it adds extra romance to the mechanics of a watch. Not only aesthetically but also in its ability to re-connect humans with the primal, grounded part of ourselves that is too often neglected in modern society.
With so much awe to be found in the vast unknown of the night sky, if we were all to look up a little more curiously, I think we’d like what we see. Bea’s design couldn’t serve as a better reminder.
C1 Moonphase Celestial Tech Specs
- Brand: Christopher Ward x Mr Jones Watches
- Model: C1 Moonphase Celestial
- Availability: 300-pieces
- Diameter: 37mm
- Height: 13.10mm
- Weight: 52g
- Lug-to-Lug: 44.07mm
- Strap width: 20.00mm
- Case Material: Stainless steel
- Case Finish: Brushed and polished
- Crystal: Box Sapphire
- Water Resistance: 30m
- Crown: Push-down
- Back: Screw-down display caseback
- Movement: Sellita SW220-1 with JJ04 module
- Function: Hour, minute, moonphase
- Frequency: 4 Hz/ 28,000vph
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Power reserve: 38-hours
- Jewels: 26
- Tolerance: -20/+20 Seconds per day
- RRP: £2,195 (Leather Bader – grey or blue), £2,330 (Bracelet)
Set your alarms! The Christopher Ward x Mr Jones Watches C1 Celestial Moonphase will be available here from 3pm (GMT) today.
