Christopher Ward C70 VW4 Chronometer Chronograph Limited Edition

In 2013 Christopher Ward launched the 1957 piece C70 VW4 COSCs to celebrate the 1957 victory at Aintree of the Vanwall VW4 racing car. Driven by Tony Brooks and Stirling Moss, it was the first time a World Championship Grand Prix race had been won in Britain by a British car, driven by British drivers.

The '20' at 12 o'clock pays homage to the race number on Brooks and Moss' car at the time.

It’s a February 2016 watch, so it’s one of the later ones and it’s just passed its fifth birthday. Despite being one of the later watches, it’s actually has one of the rarer original ‘fitted end’ leather straps with the butterfly deployant clasp - as opposed to the more universal rounded shoulder straps with standard tang buckles of most later VW4s.

It’s powered by the remarkably accurate and COSC certified ETA 251.233 calibre.

Condition

If you’re familiar with C70s, you’ll know their exposed aluminium bezel has a reputation for getting fairly easily marked. Under very close inspection you can see tiny signs of use on this bezel, but on the whole I’d say both the bezel and the rest of the watch are in extremely goo used condition. It has been worn so there are some tiny blemishes here and there - the ‘worst’ is probably a small scratch across the 5 of the serial number on the case back and a couple of blemishes on the clasp. On the whole I’d describe it as being in fantastic condition, probably one of the best VW4s you’re likely to find.

The strap is also in great condition, showing no hints of the splits at the fitted shoulders that start to appear when a watch with this type of strap is worn more regularly.

Supplied as an almost ‘full set’ including presentation case, covering letter, COSC certificate and user book with Certificate of Authenticity. The only bits it’s missing are the cardboard outer box and the polishing cloth.

Specifications

• Case size: 42mm

• Lug width: 22mm

• Height: 10.7mm

• Waterproof: 100m

• Movement: ETA 251.233 COSC quartz

User Manual

A PDF version on the owner’s handbook is available on the CW website: https://www.christopherward.com/on/demandware.static/-/Library-Sites-cw-library/default/dwda20ce4b/pdfs/Motorsport/c70vw4_manual.pdf

Final Notes

• Note the first pic is a library shot, the rest all show the actual watch and package.