Christopher Ward SH21
Being interested in both watches and watchmaking, the notion of reviewing watch movements seemed a natural fit for my site and something different compared to other channels. Movement Reviews starts with an in-depth look at the Christopher Ward SH21.
The video review provides background info on the SH21 and its development, a visual look at three watches housing the SH21, technical visuals and discussion of serial versus parallel double barrel mainsprings, and macro views of the SH21 watches. The watches include the C1 Morgan Aero 8, C1 Small Seconds, and C8 Power Reserve, all COSC Chronometers.
https://youtu.be/qA6B0S2YQus
The specifications for each of the watches is detailed below, along with a slew of pictures to whet your appetite for the SH21. This is mostly a supplemental post for the video. All SH21 movements are 28,800 per hour (4 Hz) COSC-certified Chronometers with a timing tolerance of -4/+6 seconds per day.
C1 Morgan Aero 8 ChronometerC1 Grand Malvern Small SecondsC8 Power Reserve Chronometer
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SH21 Calibre
The SH21 Calibre was the product of the merger between Christopher Ward and Synergies Horlogères in 2014, along with the minds of Jörg Bader and Johannes Jahnke. The significance of creating an “in-house” calibre cannot be overstated, as it rarely happens, the SH21 being the first in decades for a British watch company. The SH21 boasts a 120-hour (5 day) power reserve and a modular design that has the flexibility to support varying complications.
Parallel (left) versus Serial (right) Double Mainsprings
Power travels to both center (for a center seconds hand) and to just above 6 o’clock (for a small seconds hand) simultaneously thanks to what I call a sandwich third wheel. Again, I cover the details in the video.
If you have or purchase a watch with an SH21 movement, do not be alarmed if the crown and barrels have some slight feedback (reverse) when winding, and that the second barrel does not charge exactly in sync with the first barrel. The feedback tension is normal and the second barrel along with the parallel connection wheel has the appearance of what I call “slippage” as power transfers between the mainsprings.
C1 Morgan Aero 8 Chronometer
The SH21 darling of my collection, the C1 Morgan Aero 8 is modeled after a modern dash on the namesake car. The dial is spectacular with its recessed subdials and subtle concentric circles. The movement decoration drips of quality transitions from PVD to blasted to polished.
C1 Grand Malvern Small Seconds
The C1 Small Seconds is one of my favorite summer watches that wears light and simple. The curved dial is an opaline surface offset with prominent blued hands with silver amplified centers. The movement decoration has a transition of textures with the repeated CW twin flags that are as dominating as the double barrels.
C8 Power Reserve Chronometer
My first SH21, the C8 Power Reserve is for the enthusiast who wants to know a watch is on the wrist. The textures and layers of the dial are substantial with a combination of applied markers, sandwiched lume, and a slew of complications. Being an aviation watch, the SH21 barrels are visually twin turbines that, along with the black PVD bridge, are one of the finest design combinations to be had for the price.
Final Thought
The SH21 is an amazing movement, functionally and aesthetically. Christopher Ward has something meaningful with the SH21 and the watch designs that have ensued. You will be hard pressed to find another watch company offering watches with an in-house calibre and a 5-day power reserve with varying complications for under $2,000. I highly recommend the movement, so if you are considering a CW SH21 watch trust me…your eyes and ears will thank you.
Hi Brian, Happy New Year!
Fantastic reviews of the CW line with SH-21 movements. I have the C60 Trident Pro diver model, white dial, with SH-21 movement, from the last batch produced. My question to you is – the moevment is keeping time within COSC limits, but runs in most positions a second or two slow per 24 hours. The movement has a fine regulator index and what appears to a cock screw, however, the “+” and “-” markings are not present by design. If I wanted to do a very careful fine timing regulation, which direction should I adject the screw – CW or CCW looking head on down on the movement? I’ve regulated scores of ETA’s, Miyota’s, Seiko’s and even a Soprod A10 in the past with great success, but I cannot determine the procedure for the SH-21. Any help you could provide would be immensely appreciated!
Best regards,
Frank
Hi Frank. Happy New Year and thanks for the comments. As for your question, I’m not sure since I haven’t tried regulating an SH21. The only way to know for sure is to tweak it to the left or right and see if it gains or loses time, which is what I would do. It really depends on the movement, some are left (-) and right (+) and some movements are the opposite. Even within the same brand of movements, say Sellita, different movements can be opposites, for example the 200 series versus the 300 series. So yeah, unless marked on the movement, tweek a tad one way and see what happens.