C12 Loco

For any watch brand, evolution isn’t optional—it’s essential. To stay relevant and captivate loyal followers, brands must continually push boundaries and explore new creative directions. Today, Christopher Ward does exactly that with the launch of the C12 Loco, a watch that not only raises the bar but firmly resets it for British watchmaking.

Until now, the Bel Canto stood as Christopher Ward’s most ambitious leap into high horology. But the C12 Loco takes that ambition even further. With this release, the brand enters a new phase, showcasing not just its design maturity but also its growing technical capabilities.

The C12 Loco is a bold fusion of contemporary design and mechanical complexity. At its core is a completely new in-house movement, reflecting the brand’s commitment to independence and innovation. With this calibre, Christopher Ward has created its most intricate and finely engineered timepiece to date. This isn’t just another release—it’s a statement. The C12 Loco signifies a fresh chapter in the brand’s journey, one defined by technical prowess, artistic daring, and a firm belief that British watchmaking has a bright, boundary-breaking future.

Back in early 2020, an ambitious idea began to take shape within the Christopher Ward team. Mike France and his colleagues were deep into the final stages of developing the Bel Canto when a spark of inspiration struck. During a meeting, Frank Stelzer, CW’s Technical Director, casually sketched out a concept: a dial with time displayed at 12 o’clock and a second feature at 6, creating perfect visual symmetry.

It caught the eye of Jörg Bader, the brand’s Product Director, who recognised its potential. But as conversations progressed, it became clear that turning the concept into reality would require more than clever design—it would demand an entirely new movement. At the time, the resources and timing just weren’t right. And so, the idea was carefully filed away, not abandoned, but simply waiting for the right moment to resurface.

The success of the Bel Canto wasn’t just a commercial win—it was a turning point. Energised by its reception, the Christopher Ward team felt emboldened to return to the shelved concept from 2020 that had quietly lingered in the background. But this time, they weren’t just sketching ideas—they were ready to build something truly groundbreaking.

To bring the vision to life, they needed a new movement, and it had to be exceptional. To keep the case as slim as possible, they opted for a manual-winding calibre, but not just any—this one needed to go beyond the 120-hour reserve of their 2014 SH21. The target? A full 144 hours. The solution? A twin-barrel architecture, this laid the foundation for the newly developed CW-003.

With that came another leap: a custom-designed free-sprung balance and hairspring, ditching the traditional regulating pins in favour of greater long-term precision. This wasn’t without challenges—at one stage, the team faced a daunting list of 12 pages of 150 technical hurdles. But once they proved the concept, refinement became the focus. Not content with COSC’s standard of -4/+6 seconds per day, they pushed further—achieving an in-house tolerance of 0 to +7 seconds. A milestone for Christopher Ward, and a defining moment in their evolution.

Before it was officially christened the C12 Loco, the project was known internally as Open Balance—a name that made sense on paper but didn’t quite capture the spirit of the watch. Mike France, fresh off a holiday in Australia, returned with a suggestion that changed everything. During a team meeting, he casually threw out the name Loco—and it instantly clicked. Smiles spread around the room. It just felt right.

The name worked on multiple levels. From the balance wheel always in perpetual motion, to the locomotion vibe of the rear. But beyond the visual, the sheer ambition of creating a completely new movement, exclusively for this watch, felt a little… well, loco. In the best possible way.

Defined in the dictionary as “wildly irrational,” Loco captures the energy, boldness, and slightly mad brilliance that went into bringing this watch to life. It’s a fitting name for a timepiece born from a sketch, driven by obsession, and executed with a fearless disregard for the conventional.

British Brilliance

Climbing the high horology ladder while keeping prices accessible is no easy feat—but for Christopher Ward, it’s essential to the success of the C12 Loco. Achieving this delicate balance comes down to more than just clever marketing or a fixed pricing formula (though their well-known x3 value model plays a part).

The real strength lies in Christopher Ward’s holistic approach to watchmaking. From concept to completion, the brand leverages its ability to engineer every detail in-house, working closely with trusted manufacturing partners. The design team doesn’t just create watches—they meticulously examine every step of the production process, constantly refining and rethinking how things are made.

This process-driven focus allows them to push the boundaries of innovation while maintaining the value proposition that’s become synonymous with the brand. With the C12 Loco, they’ve proven once again that high horology doesn’t have to come with a six-figure price tag—it just requires discipline, creativity, and a relentless drive for smarter engineering.

Christopher Ward’s mission has always been clear: to craft beautifully engineered mechanical watches—and to do so at a price point that challenges the industry status quo. The C12 Loco is proof that they’re not just talking the talk; they’re delivering on that promise in a way few others can.

But this philosophy isn’t limited to Mike France or the leadership team—it’s woven into the brand’s DNA. It’s a collective mindset, a culture of creative problem-solving that drives every department. From movement design to case construction, the question is always: How can we do this better, smarter, and more efficiently—without compromising on quality?

That mindset was put to the test with the C12 Loco. The challenge? Create a high-concept, high-horology watch and keep it under £4,000. Instead of limiting the team, that price ceiling became a catalyst for innovation. It forced them to rethink, redesign, and reimagine every component—ultimately resulting in a timepiece that not only hits the mark technically but also redefines what’s possible at this price point.

The C12 Loco represents a significant milestone for Christopher Ward and everyone involved in bringing it to life. It’s a clear demonstration that the brand has elevated its game, building on the momentum of the Bel Canto and venturing even further into the world of high horology. Whether it reaches the same level of success remains to be seen—but my hope, without hesitation, is that it does. Christopher Ward is playing a vital role in shaping the future of British watchmaking, and with each new, innovative release, they continue to grow—not just commercially, but in credibility and influence.

Ahead of the launch, I had the chance to speak openly with several key members of the team—Mike France, Sarah Baumann, Will Brackfield, and Jörg Bader. What struck me most during our candid conversations was the shared passion and honesty from everyone involved. There were no rehearsed lines, no guarded answers—just genuine enthusiasm for what they’ve achieved with the C12 Loco.

This watch is more than a technical accomplishment—it’s a symbol of a brand pushing boundaries with integrity. And in doing so, Christopher Ward isn’t just raising its own profile—it’s raising the hopes of an entire British watchmaking community.

So, what’s the verdict on the new C12 Loco? Honestly, Christopher Ward has done it again—they’ve absolutely knocked it out of the park. Fans are going to be all over this, no question. After five and a half years in development, it’s high time this watch found its way onto the wrists of collectors and enthusiasts alike.

As someone who’s long championed Christopher Ward, it’s been brilliant to watch them go from strength to strength. And with the C12 Loco, they’ve truly upped their game.

Priced just under £4,000, it’s hard to believe what you’re getting for the money. That price point, paired with this level of design and execution, is a serious flex. You can spec it with a matching bracelet or an FKM rubber strap, and the dial options—Ursa (black), Pasadena (blue), Frisco (orange), and Alabaster (white)—are all strong contenders. Good luck choosing just one.

If this is what Christopher Ward can deliver at this level, I can’t wait to see how they top it. And let’s be honest—they will.

For More Watch News – Click HERE