TESTCENTRE
Elegant explorer
C63 Sealander GMT watch
When Christopher Ward offered to loan me a new watch for review , I asked them to send something a bit different . They have responded with the curviest of curve balls ... an explorers ’ watch with – brace yourselves – a fixed bezel . What fresh madness is this ?
The GMT is essentially a dive watch without a moving bezel . It will happily follow you into the depths of an icy sea - maxing out at 150 metres – but there ’ s no way to set a timer in the traditional manner . Rather , this model is aimed at the generalist explorer market , which includes cavers , long distance swimmers and ourselves .
Strange as it may seem , there is a rich tradition of fixed bezel ‘ GMT ’ watches , which combine the fixed bezel with a ‘ high viz ’ fourth hand that can be set to follow a different local time . So , when you ’ re a few clicks into a flooded cave somewhere under the Yucatan Peninsula , you can look at your watch and see if it ’ s the kids ’ bedtime back in blighty .
This modern timepiece looks back to the classic GMT watches of the 1970s and builds on that tradition . Made from marine-grade stainless steel , the 39mm case is comfortable to wear either as a sports watch or under a cuff during business hours . Powering the watch is the new Sellita SW330-2 GMT , a movement that allows you to set the fourth hand separately . This superefficient movement has a minimum power reserve of 50 hours . It looks very elegant , and can be viewed through the watch ’ s transparent case back , silently doing its job .
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The Sellita SW330-2 GMT movement can be viewed through the transparent caseback
The dial is available in black or white lacquer that changes its appearance slightly in shifting light , a mesmeric touch which I rather appreciated . I also admired the customary CW touches , such as the ‘ trident ’ motif on the second hand , and the unobtrusive date window above the ‘ 6 ’.
Mine came with a very comfortable stainless-steel bracelet , but you can keep things fresh by using a quick-release mechanism to swap straps according to your whim . Overall , it ’ s a beautiful automatic watch with design ethic that nods to Seventies explorer chic . It should come with its own Roger Moore safari suit .
Simon Rogerson
SCUBA SAYS
Another stylish CW watch , the absence of a bezel may or may not prove a dealbreaker . That said , the price is a third of what you expect for GMT models from rival brands .