WH1278 C5 Malvern Automatic 38mm Mk2 (undated)
WH1278 C5 Malvern Automatic 38mm Mk2 (undated)
CHRISTOPHER WARD C5 MALVERN AUTOMATIC MK2
This is the watch. This is the one that put Christopher Ward on the map. Without this watch (and Dave Malone’s timezone.com review) things might have been very different for CW - and not necessarily in a good way! You can read the story in Mike France’s own words here.
The C5 Malvern Automatic Mk1 was launched in 2005 (at a cost of just £199 on a leather strap 😮!) alongside its C3 Chronograph brother, as CW’s first two watches. We’re used to new models, revisions and special editions coming and going like busses these days, so it’s kind of hard to believe that this C5 Mk1 remained on sale for a full seven years before it was eventually replaced by the Mk2 version in 2012 - by which time the cost of the bracelet model had increased to £400.
This particular watch is a new old stock Mk2.
Warranty
It comes with a six month Ward Hoard warranty.
Strap
It comes on a brand new aftermarket strap.
Condition
These watches have highly polished cases and they’re around 10-15 years old now, so it’s pretty common to see them covered in marks or polished to death in an attempt to remove said marks. This one is new and unworn, a genuine new old stock model. You won’t see a nicer one.
Keeping time within spec at +14/15 seconds per day on the timegrapher.
Comes unboxed (but will be well packed for delivery) with owner’s manual (blank CoA).
Specifications
Case size: 38mm
Lug width: 18mm
Height: 10.8mm
Waterproof: 50m
Movement: ETA 2824-2 or Sellita SW200-1
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/dw14bedcc6/pdfs/Dress/c5auto_manual.pdf
Final Notes
The first photo is a library shot, the rest all show the actual watch and package.