Hands-On: New Christopher Ward Trident Pro 300 GMT Review

In the past few months alone, I’ve covered several new releases from fan favourite Christopher Ward, and I thought, for my sake at least, it was about time I got out ahead of the masses and secured some hands-on with the newest addition to their impressive collection, the Trident Pro 300 GMT.

Following in the footsteps of the C63 Valour, Red Bel Canto and recently released C65 Super Compressor Elite, fans of the British brand’s flagship dive model, the Trident, will be glad to hear of a new and improved offering. Now equipped with GMT complication, three new Trident Pro 300 GMT models make their way into Christopher Ward’s permanent line-up from today and lucky for us, we’ve already been introduced. 

Reference C60-40AGM31S0BB0, a classic navy-blue offering with light blue and navy bi-colour ceramic bezel, has been making its way around the WatchGecko office this week, but if you’re looking for something a little brighter for the summer months, the Trident Pro 300 GMT is also offered with white dial and blue and white bi-colour ceramic bezel (C60-40AGM31S0BW0) or in funky turquoise and yellow with a steel relief bezel (C60-40AGM31S00V0).

It was at this point that the Trident became its most familiar self, collaboratively designed into three case sizes (38, 40 or 42mm) for increased versatility, the C60 Trident Pro 300 retained wearability across a range of wrist sizes despite its higher-than-average 300m water resistance rating. This was also the first time that we saw the iconic “twin flags” logo deployed on a Trident model, having previously been, in some cases unpopularly, decorated by the Christopher Ward brand name.

Having established itself as one of CW’s most popular and all-encompassing ranges, things are now being taken up a notch with the new Trident Pro 300 GMT model which, as the name might suggest, throws an explorer-friendly GMT complication into the mix.

When making a side-by-side comparison of the new Trident Pro 300 GMT against its most recent predecessor, the standard Trident Pro 300 (ref. C60-40ADA31S0BB0-HBO), the dials aren’t particularly dissimilar. Both feature near identical navy-blue dial, decorated with large, bevelled indexes and signature Trident handset. All of the above have been generously decorated with the highest grade C1 BL Grade X1 Super LumiNova meaning legibility is maintained in any lighting condition. As I mentioned previously, the five-piece, twin-flag logo decorates the dial at the 12 o’clock position and is nicely balanced out by the colour-matched date wheel at 6 o’clock.

The new variations of the Trident Pro 300 feature an extra bright-blue GMT hand on the blue and white dial models, whilst a quirky yellow GMT hand decorates the bolder turquoise option. All three references have the GMT wording, as well as the 300m water-resistance rating, printed just above the date. Presented with threaded crown and 120-click, bi-directional, coin-edge bezel, the Trident Pro 300 GMT is offered with either a lumed ceramic or steel relief insert, both of which are marked with 24-hour numerals. Despite its clutter-free, unfussy appearance, the Trident Pro 300 GMT allows the wearer to track three time zones at a glance.

This time around, the Trident Pro 300 GMT is available exclusively in a 40mm light-catcher™ case which artfully combines fine linear brushing and diamond polishing. Despite its middle of the road diameter, and lack of a previously available smaller 38mm option, the Trident Pro 300 GMT maintains a case height of just 11.8mm, so doesn’t feel too chunky overall. Its downturned lugs conform comfortably to the wrist, allowing this capable dive watch to cater to a wide range of wrist sizes.

Inside the case of the new Pro 300 GMT, we have the esteemed Sellita SW330-2 self-winding calibre complete with 4Hz beat rate and a respectable 56-hours of power reserve. All of which can be enjoyed through a sapphire crystal caseback, including a view of the twin-flags engraved rotor.

The Trident Pro 300 GMT is presented with three bracelet options; an FKM Aquaflex rubber strap being the most affordable, followed by a three-link Bader bracelet which features a clever bracelet adjustment system allowing wearers to make micro adjustments to the desired length of the strap, extending by up to 10mm or shortening as appropriate. Finally, a jewellery-like, five-link bracelet is offered with a butterfly clasp and slightly less flexible 3mm of micro-adjustment.

Considering this is a GMT-equipped dive watch we’re talking about; the likelihood is that this new iteration of the Trident Pro could become quite the holiday essential for many of us, me included. With its classic look, it’s pretty much the perfect contender for what we like to call a ‘strap monster’, in other words a watch that looks good on pretty much anything you can throw at it.

Personally, my first choice would be the FKM rubber strap as it offers durability and lightweight comfort both in and out of the water. If you’re after a replacement strap, be it a neutral and sophisticated leather option for the evenings or something a little bolder and beach ready from our Tropic collection, the WatchGecko store has tonnes of long-lasting yet fashionable strap options for holidaymakers, deep-sea divers and everyday adventurers alike.

And I agree, as someone who’s forever banging on about the perks of the GMT complication, particularly for the summer season, it’s probably unsurprising that the release of the Christopher Ward Trident Pro 300 GMT gets the thumbs up from me. Part of me wishes the case were a little more wearable for smaller wrist sizes and I don’t think it would have hurt to maintain the 38, 40 and 42mm offerings we saw with the last Trident drop, but it’s a super durable piece of kit and with 300m of water resistance it doesn’t feel right to make too much of a fuss. Overall, I’ve loved getting to know this classic blue reference and if I was going to delve in to my own pocket money, this is likely to be the Trident I’d go for.

Priced from £995/$1,195/€1,295 on a tapered, FKM Aquaflex rubber strap, the watch is also available on the three-link Bader bracelet, featuring 10mm of micro-adjustment (£1,150/$1,380/€1,495), and the Consort™, a jewellery-like, five-link bracelet with a butterfly clasp and 3mm of micro-adjustment (£1,185/$1,420/€1,540).

You can shop the release here from 1st August 2024.