SPECIAL EDITIONS|CW
force’s support helicopter team, who fly Merlins, immediately after a Canadian Pilot joined the two squadrons on joint manouvres. The C4 RAF Benson 28 & 78 Sqn Special Edition Chrono is a bespoke chronograph watch for the men and women associated with the two squadrons that operate from the Oxfordshire base. The special touches include an engraved "Merlin Force" back plate and RAF Benson’s crest and a profile of a Merlin chopper on the dial. In another appropriate detail, the counter balance of the stop-second chronograph has a bespoke RAF crown.
UPLIFTING FORMATION FROM WW2
The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, which is based at RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire, is an aerial display group comprising an Avro Lancaster, a Supermarine Spitfire and a Hawker Hurricane, plus other historic aircraft. It made the flypast at this summer’s Diamond Jubilee. For its limited- edition C4 Chrono, Christopher Ward engraved the back of the case with the alphanumeric registration marks of all 12 aircraft in the flight and the uplifting formation of the Spitfire, Hurricane and Lancaster, while the face incorporates both the squadron crest and the formation. The case is PVD black to reflect the unique flying suits of this group of specialist aviators. Helicopter Squadron 202 on RAF Valley on Anglesey, where Prince William has been based since 2010, also has a special-edition C4
Chrono, the colours of which reflect the yellow and black livery of Sea King helicopters. The dial has the crest and a profile of the Sea King, while the counter balance of the stop-second chronograph has a bespoke RAF crown. An engraved 202 Squadron crest is on the back plate.
Good news travels fast and Christopher
Ward watches are worn by about 20 different units in the three British services. As well as models for everyday use, the company has been asked to design very limited-edition series that mark a significant anniversary or a tour of duty. The numbers created can be as few as 50, so these are limited-editions indeed. British military operations alongside its NATO allies have widened the awareness of, and the customer base for, this unique type of military insignia. Given Christopher Ward’s excellent prices, these special editions are popular with a wide range of personnel, not simply the best- paid elite.
THE PUBLIC FACE OF LIMITED EDITIONS
Some commissioned models are not available to the general public, but Christopher Ward’s association with the services does have a public face. Two years ago the company introduced its Battle of Britain special of the C5 to mark the 70th anniversary of the aerial conflict. The design of the automatic watch is based on the actual Air Ministry's pilot’s watch of the time and carries the King’s crown and laurel-wreathed RAF
CLUBBING TOGETHER The trend for club or corporate watches is
not limited to military men and women. The Historic Racing Drivers Club, the “old-school” racers that were featured in the spring-summer edition of this magazine, has commissioned a club version of the C11. This sporty version of the popular watch is available for HRDC members to buy and it was awarded to the Driver of the Day in the club’s summer schedule.
Christopher Ward would be delighted to
talk with other clubs and societies about creating a unique watch for their members. The latest limited edition, which will be released this autumn, is a C11 Automatic at £425 specially designed for the 60th anniversary of the UK Mercedes-Benz Owners Club. It’s a nice touch that contemporary British design should be saluting classic German design. For more information about Christopher Ward's corporate limited editions programme, contact Richard Dalziel on 0844 875 1515 or email
richard@christopherward.co.uk
crest of the period. The hour and minute hands echo the shape of the Spitfire’s propeller blades. This watch was produced in a limited run of just 1940 pieces and sells for £325 and £375 for the leather strap and bracelet versions respectively. Christopher Ward donates 5% of each sale to the RAF Benevolent Fund.
left; Illustration of a prototype design for RAF 12 Squadron's bespoke C60 Trident Automatic.
Orderline 0844 875 1515
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