Christopher Ward Going Loco With C12: A Revolution in Motion

Christopher Ward, lifts the concept of horological motion to new heights, with the C12 Loco, blending newfound, contemporary design language with uncompromising technical execution.

The C12 Loco debuts CW-003, Christopher Ward’s second in-house movement, delivering a six-day (144-hour) power reserve. It also incorporates a custom-designed free-sprung balance wheel and hairspring, replacing traditional regulating pins for greater precision. The Loco’s architecture has been carefully engineered for both function and aesthetics, with an open dial design that highlights key components while maintaining a clean, symmetrical layout.

“This is a truly audacious piece, taking us as high up the watch ladder as we’ve ever dared to climb. The C12 Loco embodies a state of perpetual motion – both in its mesmerising mechanics and in what it signifies for Christopher Ward: a refusal to stand still and an unrelenting drive forward. In 2022, we turned the watch world on its head and proved that haute horology could be both groundbreaking and accessible. Now, with The Loco, we’re ready to do it again.”
Mike France, Co-founder and CEO, Christopher Ward

From the front and rear, CW-003 combines technical innovation with a strikingly clean, symmetrical aesthetic. The custom-designed free-sprung balance wheel featured in The Loco is adjusted by tiny screws to refine inertia, rather than relying on commonly used regulating pins. Developed under the leadership of Technical Director Frank Stelzer, the manually wound calibre CW-003 evolved from SH21 (now CW-001) but was entirely re-engineered to suit The C12 Loco’s brief.

The new CW-003 movement has been designed exclusively for this watch, with no immediate plans for extensive future use. It features a symmetrical layout, utilising empty space and aligning the balance wheel and barrels to achieve both visual harmony and optimal energy flow. What sets CW-003 apart is its exceptional hand-finishing; the bridges, meticulously polished with multiple rounded facets, reflect light in a way that enhances the movement’s depth.

“Creating our own free-sprung balance wheel was a major undertaking, but nothing less would do. We needed a custom solution to achieve the level of precision and visual clarity this watch demands.”
Frank Stelzer, Technical Director, Christopher Ward

With its 144-hour power reserve (a day more than CW-001), twin barrels, and a movement architecture designed for both form and function, CW-003 is CW’s biggest technical achievement to date. The C12 Loco debuts a redesigned, three-piece, 41mm Twelve case, refined for comfort with steeper downturned lugs that contour naturally to the wrist. At just 9.75mm thick, excluding its 3.55mm front and 0.4mm rear box sapphire crystals, it maintains a slim, elegant profile.

The C12 Loco is as audacious in colour as it is in mechanics. Available in Ursa black, Alabaster white, Pasadena blue, and Frisco orange, each platine finish was chosen for its ability to complement the watch’s striking open-heart design.