Christopher Ward C70 DBR1 Limited Edition

The C70 DBR1 is a 500-piece Limited Edition watch which was part of the original eight-piece C70 Grand Prix series launched in 2009. The striking original designs proved to be a huge hit, spawning no less than 22 different models over its lifetime. The original DBR1 was followed by a 300 piece COSC version in 2011 and a 100 piece (£2,000) Art Metal edition in 2013 (if anyone has one of those they’d like to sell please let me know!).

Most Christopher Ward collectors consider the C70 DBR1 a 'must have' watch, making it a very desirable and collectable Limited Edition which doesn’t come up very often.

The C70 DBR1 pays homage to Aston Martin’s 1959 Le Mans winning DBR1. As CW put it: "The strikingly designed quartz-powered watch is a multifunction three-eye chronograph powered by the superlative ETA 251.272 movement. It also has a date window, a tachymeter bezel and is water resistant to 10atm. DBR is an acronym for David Brown Racing. Brown bought Aston Martin in 1947 when the luxury carmaker was already an iconic brand in motor racing. He went on to build on the racing heritage. The DBR1 took first and second place in Le Mans in 1959, as well as winning the world Sports Car Championship in that year."

This first edition DBR1 sold out in 2010, but as often happens at CW, former staff/press/review examples often surface after the main production run has sold out - and that’s the case with this watch, with CW selling it July 2011 - almost a year after it had ‘sold out’.

Condition

The C70s exposed alloy bezel and thinly applied paint make it notoriously delicate, so finding one in good condition is becoming increasingly challenging (CW has long since exhausted its supply of replacement bezels/cases).

This example does have some very light blemishes on the bezel, but no specific areas of ‘damage’, which can’t be said for most 10_ year old C70s.

Elsewhere on the case you’ll find light hairlines from use on the polished surfaces, and some light scratches on the case back from battery changes.

I’d score this case/bezel at 95%, so you’ll be lucky to find a better one.

The strap has the original fitted ends which are prone to splitting up around the shoulders. This one does have the beginnings of splits, but with careful wear there’s no reason why it can’t last for many years.

As with the bezels and cases, CW no longer has any stock of replacement straps.

This watch is offered as a ‘full set’ box and papers. It comes in the correct original deluxe presentation cases with green internals. Those coloured internals are prone to flaking off if the box is kept in cold/damp conditions such as lofts and garages, but this one has clearly spent its life indoors as it’s in great shape. Included are the 38 page used book (well worth a read) with Certificate of Authenticity, an unused polishing cloth and original covering letter. In the interests of full disclosure, the outer cardboard box has a split on one of the corners.

In summary, a fantastic condition, very original, full set DBR1.

Specifications

• Case size: 42mm

• Lug width: 22mm

• Height: 10.7mm

• Waterproof: 50m

• Movement: ETA 251.272 quartz

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/dwa255857f/pdfs/Motorsport/c70_manual.pdf

Final Notes

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