Christopher Ward C60 Pool Diver x seconde/seconde: The Ultimate Holiday Tool Watch?
Few collaborations in modern watchmaking have managed to strike the balance between humour, creativity and genuine collectability quite like Christopher Ward's ongoing partnership with French design provocateur Romaric André, better known as seconde/seconde/. Now, for their fourth outing together, the pair have unveiled perhaps their most outrageous creation yet: the Christopher Ward C60 Pool Diver x seconde/seconde/.
Following the runaway success of last year's C65 Desk Diver, which transformed the humble office worker into a fully equipped corporate explorer, the new Pool Diver swaps spreadsheets and meeting rooms for sun loungers, cocktails and questionable holiday decisions. If the Desk Diver was the ultimate office survival tool, then the Pool Diver is its sun-soaked counterpart, designed specifically for those seeking temporary escape from the daily grind.
Built upon the capable C60 Trident Reef platform, the Pool Diver takes the concept of a professional dive watch and turns it completely on its head. Rather than helping its wearer calculate decompression stops after exploring coral reefs, this is Christopher Ward's first "decompress diver", a watch dedicated entirely to unwinding during an all-inclusive getaway.
At first glance, the matte sandblasted white dial immediately sets the tone. Styled to resemble a poolside timetable, the dial is divided into five distinct zones, each representing a key stage of the perfect holiday. Starting with "Reading", wearers are encouraged to spend some quality time with a book, assuming they can avoid the inevitable cannonball splash from a nearby child. From there, the watch guides you through monitoring your "Nice Tan / Skin Damage Ratio", relaxing poolside, keeping track of your daily beverage intake and, naturally, finding time to post carefully curated holiday photos to social media for the benefit of those still trapped in the office.
The journey eventually concludes with perhaps the most relatable stage of any holiday: "Contemplating and/or Reconsidering Life Choices" as the sun begins to set.
As with all seconde/seconde/ projects, the details are where the fun really begins. The bezel has been transformed into a series of playful pictograms that correspond to the various holiday activities, while the traditional date display has been replaced by a martini glass icon showing the "Max Units Per Day". Thankfully, Christopher Ward has included a subtle reminder on the caseback to "Please, Don't Drink and Dive", advice that seems particularly prudent when operating inflatable pool toys near unsuspecting pensioners.
Even the helium escape valve hasn't escaped André's sense of humour. While retaining its technical function, it now features a laser-etched tropical island motif, proving that even serious dive watch components deserve a holiday every now and then.
Flip the watch over and the caseback continues the story. The familiar pictogram character from the Desk Diver returns, although this time corporate life has been firmly left behind. Flippers have become flip-flops, the paperclip oxygen tank has been swapped for sun cream, and a refreshing mocktail replaces any lingering thoughts of quarterly reports and performance reviews.
Beneath the playful exterior sits a watch that remains every bit a Christopher Ward diver. The 200-metre water-resistant case retains the robust engineering enthusiasts have come to expect from the British brand, while rhodium-plated applied indices, polished detailing and generous amounts of Super-LumiNova ensure the watch remains highly legible whether poolside or underwater.
Perhaps fittingly, Christopher Ward has even extended the joke to the packaging. Each watch arrives complete with an inflatable drinks holder capable of carrying two beverages, alongside a pair of reusable rubber straws. It's a level of commitment to the concept that feels entirely appropriate given the nature of the collaboration.
Priced at £895 on an Aquaflex rubber strap or £1,060 on the brand's excellent Bader bracelet, the C60 Pool Diver sits comfortably within Christopher Ward's increasingly impressive catalogue. While it may not be limited by production numbers, availability is restricted to an ordering window running from 11th June to 24th June, with deliveries expected to begin in mid-July.
Like all great seconde/seconde/ collaborations, the Pool Diver manages to be both genuinely funny and surprisingly thought-provoking. Beneath the jokes, holiday icons and martini glass date wheel lies a subtle commentary on modern life and our obsession with productivity. More importantly, however, it's a reminder that watches are supposed to be fun.
And in a hobby that can sometimes take itself a little too seriously, that might just be the most useful complication of all.