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Wristwatch Weekly Episode 15, Peter and Chris are joined by Mike Pearson, Senior Vice President of Christopher Ward for North America and Global Retail, for a deep dive into the past, present and future of one of the most talked-about independent watch brands in the world.
We start with What’s On The Wrist, before going right back to Mike’s beginnings in watches, including the £20 X-Files watch that started it all, the pieces with the most sentimental value, and the moment he found himself talking watches with the legendary Gerald Genta.
Mike then takes us through his career in the watch industry, including his time with Zodiac, why he turned down opportunities with major Swiss brands, and what eventually convinced him to join Christopher Ward.
From there, we get properly into the brand.
We discuss the evolution of Christopher Ward from its early online days, why the Bel Canto changed everything, how The Twelve became one of the company’s most important watches, the development of the Twin Flags logo, and why the original SH21 movement didn’t have the same impact when it first launched.
Mike also gives his view on:
- The line between inspiration, homage and derivative design
- Why comparisons to Royal Oak, Nautilus and other integrated-bracelet watches don’t bother him
- Whether Christopher Ward is still a microbrand
- Whether being known as a “value brand” is becoming a limitation
- Customer service, quality control and growing pains
- Whether Christopher Ward could ever sell a £10,000 watch
- Why in-house movements aren’t always the answer
- The new C63 Sealander Chronograph
- The upcoming C1 Loco Classic
- What makes a watch recognisably Christopher Ward
- Whether the collection needs a stronger women’s offering
- And where the brand goes next
Mike also gives Peter and Chris some invaluable advice as they begin their own watch-brand journey: build the watch you believe in, know exactly why you made it, and don’t let every opinion pull the design in a different direction. EP15 TXT
We finish with some quick-fire questions, favourite watches, affordable picks, brands Mike thinks are doing great things, and a little Aston Villa chat.
What is the most important Christopher Ward watch ever made?
And could you ever see yourself spending £10,000 on a Christopher Ward?
00:00 Introduction – Mike Pearson joins Wristwatch Weekly
00:27 What’s On The Wrist
02:43 Mike’s first watch and sentimental collecting
05:25 Meeting Gerald Genta
08:02 Falling out of love with the watch industry
10:50 Zodiac and finding the passion again
14:00 Why Christopher Ward over a major Swiss brand?
15:52 How Christopher Ward has changed since 2005
22:05 The three watches that define Christopher Ward
24:01 How Peter became a Christopher Ward fan
27:08 The Christopher Ward name and identity
29:28 The Twin Flags logo debate
32:00 SH21 and why it didn’t transform the brand
34:33 How Bel Canto changed everything
37:02 The Twelve and integrated-bracelet comparisons
39:03 Inspiration vs derivative watch design
42:59 Christopher Ward’s biggest misses
45:58 Customer service, QC and growing pains
51:12 Is Christopher Ward still a microbrand?
53:06 Is “good value” becoming a backhanded compliment?
55:27 Could Christopher Ward sell a £10,000 watch?
58:34 C12 Loco and Christopher Ward movements
01:00:41 Do in-house movements actually matter?
01:02:30 C63 Sealander Chronograph and Sellita
01:05:55 C1 Loco Classic and GPHG
01:10:02 What makes a watch recognisably Christopher Ward?
01:13:10 Can Christopher Ward stay distinctly British?
01:14:26 What’s missing from the Christopher Ward collection?
01:15:56 Advice for Peter and Chris starting a watch brand
01:18:32 Mike Pearson Has To Choose
01:21:06 Best watch under £1,000
01:21:51 Watch brands smashing it right now
01:22:58 Least attractive Christopher Ward ever made
01:24:19 Aston Villa and scoring at Villa Park
01:26:12 Mike’s five-year ambition for Christopher Ward
01:28:33 Outro
