More than just a stylistic homage to early dive watches, the C65 Super Compressor brings back retro tech in the name of mechanical intrigue
British firm Christopher Ward has become a big name in watches despite its short 20-year history. Founded in 2004, the Christopher Ward has graduated from ‘microbrand’ status to become a more widely recognised producer of lower-priced watches spanning multiple collections. All are designed in the UK, made in Switzerland and are powered by Swiss movements.
The brand has enjoyed a boom in popularity in recent years thanks to on-trend releases – like The Twelve with its integrated bracelet – and the mechanically interesting Bel Canto, which impressed enthusiasts with its dial-side hour-chime complication.
Christopher Ward’s penchant for mechanical eccentricity can also be seen in its C65 Super Compressor, a model originally launched in 2020 but now sporting the maker’s revised logo in place of the original’s sans-serif script version.
Like many retro-inspired dive watches, the C65 Super Compressor incorporates an internal rotating dive bezel operated by the upper crown on the right-hand side of the case. Unlike most of these homages, however, the Christopher Ward is a super compressor in the true sense of the term.
Case and Bracelet
A product of the late 1950s, a super compressor watch case incorporates an internal spring that compresses the caseback tighter against the O-ring as depth (and therefore water pressure) increases. Christopher Ward claims that its effort is the first true super compressor in 50 years; we’re in no position to test that claim underwater but the specs of the watch certainly check out.
Christopher Ward says its designers reverse engineered an original Ervin Piquerez SA super compressor case to create its modern version. The C65 is the first super compressor to feature a display caseback according to Christopher Ward; the 300-micron-thick compression spring has been made a design feature, housed in an anodised orange ring.
The case itself measures in at 41mm in diameter but feels smaller on the wrist thanks to a relatively small dial and generously sized bezel. Fine brushing is complemented by a high-polished outer bezel and bevelled edges, with crisp transitions between each; the result is a finish that punches above the C65’s price.
The C65 Super Compressor feels slim despite its complex internals, measuring in at just over 13mm, helping the cushion-style case feel very comfortable on the wrist.
The standard ‘tropic’ rubber strap – highly detailed with a brushed steel buckle to match the case – is thinner than many dive-type rubber straps and contributes to overall comfort too. A thicker ‘Aquaflex’ rubber item is also offered, along with ‘Bader’ brushed steel three-link bracelet and brown leather strap options.
Movement and dial
While Christopher Ward has dipped its toe into making its own movements in recent times, the Sellita SW200-1 in the C65 Super Compressor is a tried and tested off-the-shelf unit beating at 4Hz and with a 38-hour power reserve. Christopher Ward adds some visual interest with a custom-engraved rotor weight, set off nicely by the super compressor ring in orange around the periphery of the display caseback.
It’s possible to get a better power reserve for this price – see the Seiko 6R35 with its 70-hour effort or the Tissot Powermatic 80 with an 80-hour reserve. Whether that’s important will be dictated by how often you wear your watch and how much you dislike setting the time.
When that time comes the SW200 in the C65 feels smooth and robust in its operation, as does the screw-down crown – another modern addition to the super compressor recipe.
The second crown is used to operate the unidirectional internal bezel; there’s a bit of back-play in the mechanism but there’s enough feedback to feel each of the 120 clicks passing by. Divers and timers of oven pizzas alike will be annoyed that it’s quite inconvenient to operate when the watch is on the wrist, however.
The dial is where the C65 shines quite literally, its blue sunray finish catching light beautifully and fading to a deeper shade at its border to help set off the applied, highly polished indices. The orange minute hand stands out well against this backdrop, as does Christopher Ward’s signature trident second hand implemented here with a matching orange tip.
The white internal bezel is accurately printed and lines up well, sloping inwards to meet the dial; there’s a bit of distortion from the domed crystal but not so much as to ruin legibility, instead adding a nice dose of retro charm.
Lume is a bit sparse for a dive watch, with small pips at each hour marker and larger strips on each hand. It’s decent quality SuperLuminova stuff but won’t help much in the murky depths.
Christopher Ward C65 Super Compressor: our verdict
Beautifully finished, bursting with detail and with a unique and authentic-feeling take on a well-trodden retro design, the C65 Super Compressor feels like outstanding value at just over £1,000.
Christopher Ward may be a brand without much of its own heritage to draw from but that may well be to its credit; the brand has instead combined some of the best bits of 50s and 60s dive watch design to create a contemporary take on the genre.
The C65 Super Compressor is not the most practical dive watch around but that won’t matter to most land-lubbers – especially given its great looks, solid quality and mechanical novelty.
Christopher Ward C65 Super Compressor specifications
Manufacturer
Christopher WardRRP
£1,050 (with tropic rubber strap)Case
‘Light-catcher’ stainless steel super compressor case, brushed and polished with display casebackDimensions
41mm diameter, 13.04mm thickness, 47.12mm lug-to-lug, 22mm lug widthCrystal
Domed Sapphire crystal, anti-reflectiveBezel
Internal stainless steel rotating dive bezel in whiteLume
SuperLuminova X1 GL C1Bracelet
Tropic rubber strap, quick-release spring barsMovement
Sellita SW200-1 automatic, 4Hz, 38-hour power reserveWater resistance
150m
