Just a few days ago we made the observation that there are few mechanical-powered watches that come with superior shock resistance. As in the movement is protected by a bespoke apparatus which absorbs mild and violent shocks, not just built-in shock resistance akin to a Incabloc in which the balance wheel was engineered to resist sudden changes in motion. Even though the latter type of system works, it doesn’t appear or seem to be enough for certain extreme scenarios in which watches are particularly poorly treated, submitted to intense living conditions, and of which a lot is being asked. However, and strangely perhaps, most brands—luxurious and attainable, mainstream and niche—often design tool watches aimed at being used by a variety of professionals in a great myriad of scenarios—military, climbing snow-capped peaks, bungee jumping—without providing superior shock resistance. So either it means it isn’t really necessary or most folks don’t use their tools as they are meant to be used. 

When we think about it, mechanical movements are fragile machines composed of hundreds of components held together in place by friction and screws. A lot of what they are made of measures a few microns and is precisely machined to operate in a surgical way, and so it seems probable that a 3-foot drop onto a concrete floor could easily cause some significant damage. (Raise your virtual hand if you’ve never dropped a watch.) And mechanical movements are not only marvels of engineering but also border fine art and (historically) high levels of artisanship which were made to be admired and not necessarily abused. But it seems that now brands do understand that so-called proper tool watches must come with some proper technology to make them apt at being pushed to their extreme. Thus last week we talked about the Elliot Brown Holton Auto GMT 101-A21 and today we’re going to chat about the Christopher Ward C63 Sealander GMT Extreme. And the question is: what exactly is extreme about this model? 

Specifications 

When one weaves the words “extreme” and “watch” together in a sentence, one most likely is referring to a G-Shock—one of the most singular collections of ultra-tough watches powered by battery-operated calibers and whose shell is made of raisin composite and rubber. Virtually, and most likely actually indestructible timekeeping devices worn by the militaries and adventure-seeking nuts of the world. (The horological equivalent of a Mous case according to the brand’s own cinematic video advertisements.) So making ginormous quartz watches ultra resistant to shocks of the wildest nature is possible, and as we know, not as straightforward when it comes to more slender mechanical watches. In order to provide superior shock resistance to this kind of movements brands must lodge a watch’s engine inside a synthetic movement holder which sits between the case and the aforementioned machine. Working in tandem with its built-in shock resistance, the most delicate parts of the caliber are protected against omnidirectional knocks. 

That is therefore what the C63 Sealander Extreme GMT is made of and what constitutes the first element of its extreme nature: inside the case roars the Swiss Made Sellita SW330-2 caliber which sits inside the brand’s first rubberized movement holder which itself is linked to the outer case by way of a flexible ring which permits the caliber and inner case to float independently for superior shock protection. Where Christopher Ward went a step further (as far as I understand it and based on my personal experience) is to make the movement + shock absorbing mount combo move freely inside the case whilst most brands which protect mechanical movements “simply” add a rubberized movement holder. (Which in itself is no small feat.) As perhaps a reminder, the Sellita SW330-2 beats at 4Hz and comes with 56 hours of power reserve and is of the “caller” style GMT movement in that it is the GMT hand which moves forward in one-hour increments to indicate the time in a second part of the world, which is my preferred version of a GMT. 

The second element which endows the C63 Sealander Extreme GMT with its wild nature is the bead-blasted ceramic bezel which appears to be DLC-coated (although it ain’t) on account of its black color. Such surface treatment is not only efficient at making the alloy scratch-resistant but it also adds a layer of shock-proofness and of resistance to tarnishing and corrosion which is helpful to have when pushing a tool watch to its intended limits. Then there is the standard yet typically generous suite of incredible specifications Christopher Ward is known to embed into its timekeeping devices and which support the movement’s shock protection and bezel’s scratch resistance to make this model a complete tool watch. For example, 150 meters of water resistance by way of a 6.8mm screw-down crown and case-back, the former being endowed with excellent grip and protected by stubby crown-guards. On top of the watch head we find a raised but flat piece of sapphire crystal complete with multiple layers of inner anti-reflective coating. 

Thus far we find ourselves already with a pretty complete utilitarian timekeeping device and many of us would be satisfied with what we’ve just discussed. But the British Brand is indeed generous when it spec’s out its watches which is why we find incredibly satisfying and visually mesmerizing nighttime luminescence—so that you can the brightness emanating from the dial acts a torchlight to avoid bumping into things in the dark even though you know the Selllita SW330-2 caliber is safe inside. As far as I know, Christopher Ward is one of the first brands to use ceramic-based blocks of lume (instead of 3D printed blocks of lume) called Globolight. They are made of a ceramic compound mixed with SuperLuminova BL Grade X1 lume three dimensionally shaped into batons and triangles to provide superlative nocturnal legibility. On the dial they mark each hour, are shaped into the logo located above the pinion, and applied on the hour and minute hands whilst the GMT one is filled with BL Grade X1 but in a more traditional 2D manner. 

And there is more to be said about the specs of the C63 but we will come back to them later on. 

Design 

Because beyond the excessive nature of its mechanical prowess, the C63 Sealander Extreme GMT is also visually quite extravagant. Because why stop at pushing the internal limits of a watch whilst you can also move the frontiers of design to match its incredible mechanics? Exactly. Which is why this model comes with a strong design vocabulary whose core nature is that of the utilitarian and the purpose-driven, starting with Christopher Ward’s proprietary Light-catcher case sized to match its internal structure: 41mm in diameter, 48mm lug-to-lug, 12.05mm thick, and coming with a 22mm lug width. Whilst these dimensions are slightly above my personal comfort zone, the C63 wears surprisingly superbly well on my 6.50”/16.5cm wrist thanks to its overall flat profile which is incredible given the shock-absorbing technology inside and the 150 meters of water resistance. The Light-catcher case is also designed to be relatively short in relation to its diameter with lugs that turn down just above the wrist bone (in my particular case). 

What further contributes to making the C63 Sealander Extreme GMT wear so well is the fact that the combination of the black bezel and black dial visually merge together and because the larger aspect of the bezel markings and of dial’s hour markers somehow reduce the watch’s overall wristprint. In other words, they occupy a lot of space but hide the 41mm diameter of the case when looking at the watch from above, whilst seen from the side, the Light-catcher case appears relatively thin—its mid-case is composed of two chamfers which narrow its profile and is fully brushed (to a utilitarian extreme and satisfaction) so that it actually catches the light and does not reflect it back at the wearer. The model I borrowed also came on Christopher Ward’s new and proprietary V-Strap which is a type of hook-and-look fastening system equipped with a visually striking and mechanically sound buckle which perfectly matches the extreme nature of this model. The strap, by the way, is made of Velcro and military-grade Cordura. 

As you can easily imagine, the dial of the C63 is no less unique than its technology and is fully geared towards the excessive in terms of adventure and lifestyle. First, it is incredibly legible on accounts of the Globolight hour markers which command a strong presence regardless of luminosity as they pop from the matte textured black dial with great intensity, and they do so also on the black-based hands. The seconds hand comes with an orange tip and the GMT hand is shaped into a massive orange arrow which clearly points to the GMT scale printed on the bezel. (For legibility sake, the GMT scale primarily shows the even hours by way of large Arabic numerals even though the odd ones are indicated by way of deep incisions.) On the textured dial we also find the brand’s logo applied and made of Globolight, a little bit of text below the pinion, and a rectangular date aperture nestled above the six o’clock and composed of cream printed numerals set against a black disc for superlative legibility. 

The Heart of the Matter

When I first heard of the Christoher Ward C63 Sealander Extreme GMT, and upon reading articles and watching YouTube videos about this watch, it seems that most of my colleagues primarily focused on the technical aspects of this model, and especially the shock-absorbing technology inside the case, and not so much on its design. What to me is particularly interesting about the Extreme GMT is the fact that it is both technically and visually extravagant, as Christopher Ward paired (matched) its new (for the brand) internal purpose-driven technology with a decidedly external purpose-driven design. It is therefore a perfect combination of mechanics and looks which together form a new and particularly compelling tool watch which it will be appropriate to use for a variety of wild, extreme, and potentially dangerous situations. (Or more mundane ones in my case.) Thus the C63 Sealander Extreme GMT is a complete package, a first of its kind for the brand, and one of the most singular utilitarian timepieces I’ve come across. 

Conclusion

Do not be worried: the price at which the Christopher Ward C63 Sealander Extreme GMT is sold is not as excessive as you might think given what it is made out of and the singularity of its design: $1,785 USD on an orange or black V-Strap and $1,995 USD on the Badder stainless steel bracelet which is arguably excellent. Great technology inside and out and an aggressive singular look couldn’t come cheap I reckon. By the way, if you don’t fancy black dials then you might prefer the Khaki variant which looks like subtle moss green to me. Anyhow. 

Thanks for reading.