Christopher Ward C60 Clipper GMT - Pan Am
Christopher Ward Takes Flight with a Pan Am Inspired GMT
Few names loom as large in the mythology of commercial aviation as Pan American World Airways. At its peak, Pan Am didn’t just transport passengers, it defined what long-haul travel could be: glamorous, optimistic, and unapologetically forward-looking. Now, that legacy has found its way onto the wrist via a new collaboration with Christopher Ward.
The result is the C60 Clipper GMT, a limited run of 707 pieces that nods to one of the most important moments in aviation history. On 26 October 1958, Pan Am became the first airline to operate a jet-powered transatlantic passenger service, when a Boeing 707 flew from New York’s Idlewild Airport (now JFK) to Paris. It was the beginning of a new era, shrinking the world almost overnight.
Christopher Ward has woven that story into the watch in a number of subtle ways. The number “26” on the date wheel appears in Pan Am blue, marking the historic day, while the total production run mirrors the aircraft that made it all possible. It’s the sort of detail that rewards those who enjoy joining the dots.
The watch itself is based on Christopher Ward’s familiar C60 platform, housed in a 42mm Light-catcher case and rated to a genuinely useful 300 metres of water resistance. But this is not just another dive watch with a second time zone tacked on. The bi-directional aluminium bezel is engraved with IATA airport codes rather than the usual 24-hour numerals, each location tied to Pan Am’s global footprint.
Among the cities represented are Dallas, a major Pan Am hub and home to Christopher Ward’s first U.S. showroom; La Paz, reflecting the airline’s expansion across South America via the PANAGRA network; and Key West, highlighted in red as the departure point for Pan Am’s very first flight back in 1927.
Used correctly, the bezel turns the watch into a functional worldtimer. Align the GMT hand to UTC, match the bezel triangle accordingly, and the 24-hour scale beneath the crystal does the rest, allowing the time in any of the listed cities to be read at a glance. It’s intuitive once you get the hang of it, and far more engaging than a standard GMT ring.
Visually, the dial leans into mid-century cues without slipping into costume. The hands and indices are filled with Super-LumiNova Grade X1 BL Old Radium, producing a warm, retro glow that feels entirely appropriate for the era being referenced. The running seconds hand swaps Christopher Ward’s familiar trident for a small Pan Am Clipper aircraft, a playful touch that somehow doesn’t feel overdone.
Flip the watch over and the collaboration becomes unmistakable. The screw-down caseback is stamped with Pan Am’s famous “Blue Meatball” globe, once one of the most recognisable corporate symbols on the planet, and each example is individually numbered within the limited series.
Inside beats the Sellita SW330-2 GMT movement, offering a 56-hour power reserve and a stated accuracy of ±20 seconds per day. It’s a sensible, proven choice, aligning neatly with Christopher Ward’s reputation for prioritising reliability over theatrics.
The watch is supplied on the brand’s Bader bracelet and includes an additional woven strap made from the same material once used in Pan Am seatbelts, complete with quick-release spring bars. Even the packaging continues the theme, with a light-blue cleaning cloth printed with a 1950s jet illustration and a bespoke Pan Am sleeve.
Priced at £1,450.00 in the UK, the C60 Clipper GMT sits in a competitive segment. But what sets it apart is the coherence of the story. This isn’t aviation branding for the sake of it. It’s a thoughtful attempt to translate a defining moment in travel history into a modern, wearable tool watch.
For Christopher Ward, it also arrives at a moment of growing confidence in the U.S. market, with multiple showrooms now open and a clear ambition to expand further. Partnering with a brand as culturally resonant as Pan Am feels less like nostalgia and more like a statement of intent.
Whether you’re a frequent flyer, a history obsessive, or simply someone who enjoys a GMT with a bit more narrative depth than usual, the C60 Clipper GMT offers something refreshingly different. It doesn’t just tell the time in multiple places. It tells a story about when the world first became truly connected.
With multiple releases last year, including the C12 Loco and C1 Luminere, this latest release sees them get off the ground in style at the start of 2026 (pun intended).