Christopher Ward C11 Makaira Pro 500

Those who preach you should only buy watches with your heart, rather than your head, will always argue that resale values should never be a consideration when buying a watch… then they’ll contradict themselves by making sure they always drive a German car because of their safe residuals! For those who buy watches with both their heart and their head, the C11 Makaira Pro 500 has has proved itself to be a wise investment, with tidy examples having fetched well over their original RRPs for a few of years now.

The first C11 (the aviation style MSL) arrived in 2011, but it wasn’t until August of 2012 that CW dropped the dive edition, with its innovative internal rotating bezel (operated by the upper crown). Dubbed the Makaira Pro 500, it initially cost £500 with the silicone rubber strap and £560 on a bracelet - rising to £550 and £610 respectively over the next couple of years. It sold okay, but didn’t exactly set the world alight and by the end of 2015 it was retired. From what I’ve observed over the years, I’d say at least 90% of Makairas were sold on rubber straps with the remaining 10% being fitted with the stainless bracelet option.

The Makaira Pro 500 was available with white, blue or orange markers. There were also a couple of Titanium limited editions which had yellow or green markers. The watch for sale here has the orange markers and is in the minority on the strap front, having been fitted with the stainless bracelet option - a wise investment, with the original silicone strap being prone to splitting if worn regularly. The orange hands and markers are a very bright, almost day-glow colour in the flesh - difficult to replicate in the photographs and definitely better and brighter in the flesh.

Condition
It’s an April 2015 watch in fantastic condition. There are occasional very light blemishes from use, the worst of which are two tiny dings on the left side of the case, clearly shown in the heavily zoomed photo. There’s also a tiny ding on the bezel at 40 minutes that I never noticed in the flesh, but spotted in a photo. Overall I’d say the head is in 99% new condition and is one of the very best you’ll find.

The original CW stainless bracelet (with pop-out diver’s extension) is currently sized for approx. 18cm wrists. It includes one spare link. If you need an extra link one can be supplied for £25. The bracelet is in very good condition with just light marks from occasional use over its seven years.

It’s keeping fantastic time - currently bang-on zero on the timegrapher!

Supplied in the original presentation case with covering letter, owner’s book with Certificate of Authenticity and unused polishing cloth.

If you select the rubber strap option (£100 cheaper), please note the rubber strap has the beginnings of tiny splits on the ‘shortest’ of the holes - so they might only be relevant if you have a small wrist.

Specifications

• Case size: 42mm

• Lug width: 22mm

• Height: 12.5mm

• Waterproof: 500m

• Movement: ETA 2824-2 or Sellita SW200-1 automatic

User Manual
A PDF version of the owner’s manual is available on the CW website: https://www.christopherward.com/on/demandware.static/-/Library-Sites-cw-library/default/dw234255e3/pdfs/Dive/c11mak_manual.pdf

Final Notes

• Note the first three photographs are library shots, the rest all show the actual watch and package. Photos two and three show a rubber strap which is not included with the bracelet option.

• The final two images show the rubber strap option.

• Having followed CW for many years, I’ve observed a few of instances of crowns being pulled out/off of MSL versions. While I’ve not seen it on a Makaira, it’s still advised to take extra care when pulling the crown out to the time-adjusting position three.