Christopher Ward Slims Down The Twelve: Introducing The Twelve 660

Christopher Ward has a knack for surprising us. Just when you think you’ve got a handle on its direction, the brand finds a way to shift gears. The Twelve collection was already a strong contender in the genre of integrated-bracelet sports watches. Now, with the new Twelve 660, Christopher Ward shows it can play the thinness game too.

I’ve only seen the press release and images from the brand, but I thought I’d share a few thoughts with you, the Fratelli, on the launch. My first reaction was simple curiosity. Can a watch this slim, at just 6.6mm thick, still feel like a proper Twelve? Or does slimming down inevitably mean a compromise in character?

A slimmer case with sharp detailing

The answer lies in the details. Christopher Ward didn’t simply shave millimeters off the existing case and call it a day. The design team rethought the proportions from the ground up. At 38mm across and 43.3mm long, the Twelve 660 stays faithful to wearable dimensions. The bezel is slightly wider than on other versions, a clever move that adds visual balance to the wafer-thin profile.

Finishing is of the utmost importance here. A mix of linear brushing, polished bevels, and sandblasted accents keeps the surfaces lively. It is always a challenge to stop ultra-thin watches from looking flat or dull, and Christopher Ward seems to have found a good rhythm with alternating textures. The case looks lean but, crucially, not lifeless. The approach worked wonders for the recently launched C12 Loco (of which I bought one), so the same approach will also pay dividends here.

A bracelet made to match

Bracelets often let down thin watches. If the clasp is thicker than the case, it creates a jarring step on the wrist. Christopher Ward tackled this by designing a new bracelet with single-piece links that measure just 2.9mm thick. The clasp comes in at 4.2mm, and the push-button mechanism is neatly integrated. That means the bracelet doesn’t overshadow the case. Instead, it flows into it with real harmony.

On the wrist, that should translate to a watch that feels like one continuous piece, not a case perched on top of a bulky bracelet. For a watch in this price bracket, it’s an impressive piece of engineering.

The Twelve 660 features a stripped-back dial

Christopher Ward has taken a minimalist approach to the dial, and the result is striking. A grainy texture lies beneath a clear lacquer, giving a crisp finish that avoids the plasticky sheen of cheaper treatments. The indexes and hands combine brushed and polished surfaces for a clean, legible look.

The most noticeable omission is the seconds hand. There is no date either. These are deliberate choices, and they suit the character of the Twelve 660. The design leaves the watch looking balanced and calm, without the visual clutter that would clash with its slim profile. It is a bold move for a brand that often leans on practical functions for daily use, but it feels right here.

Color names add a playful twist. BLK, WHT, GRN, and BLU are stark, vowel-light labels that reflect the pared-back attitude. The all-black DLC version, in particular, visually takes the thinness to the extreme. I suspect that will be the model collectors talk about most, but the steel-bracelet versions look equally appealing if you want versatility.

A reworked movement

A slim watch can only exist with the right movement, and Christopher Ward has once again turned to Sellita. The Twelve 660 uses an SW210-1, but it is far from stock. The brand has opened up the train bridge with skeletonization, applied rhodium plating, and added brushed and diamond-polished finishes. Through the display case back, it should look more refined than many competitors’ calibers at this price point.

Other small touches, like the sunray-brushed crown and ratchet wheels, underline the attention to detail. Christopher Ward worked with some of the same suppliers who helped on the award-winning Bel Canto, suggesting its partnerships with specialist finishers are growing stronger. That will only serve the brand well in future projects.

The hand-wound caliber beats at a 4Hz frequency, has a 45-hour power reserve, and holds time within a tolerance of ±20 seconds per day. Those aren’t groundbreaking figures, but the finishing effort elevates the movement beyond the ordinary.

Living with thinness

What strikes me about the Twelve 660 is that Christopher Ward hasn’t tried to position it as part of the ultra-thin arms race. CEO Mike France is clear that this isn’t a novelty to be kept under glass but, rather, a watch to wear daily. That distinction matters.

I have handled true ultra-thin pieces from Piaget and Bvlgari, and while they are remarkable, they often feel fragile. The Twelve 660 aims to deliver elegance without fragility, which is an entirely different proposition. It is a watch designed to slip under a cuff, disappear when you want it to, and still carry enough wrist presence when you don’t.

Price and positioning

This watch’s pricing feels in line with Christopher Ward’s usual strategy. The steel models start at £1,250 on a strap or £1,395 on the bracelet. The DLC black version adds a slight premium, topping out at £1,495 on the bracelet. That places it between the regular steel Twelve and the titanium COSC model.

This is an interesting middle ground. For many, the decision will come down to whether thinness is worth the trade-off in features. With no seconds and no date, the Twelve 660 is more about the purity of design than practical complications. However, for collectors who value clean lines and comfort, this could be the Twelve model to go for.

There is also good news for US buyers. Christopher Ward has confirmed that it is rolling back the 29% tariffs that came into effect earlier this month. CEO and co-founder Mike France explained that with North America now Christopher Ward’s largest market, the brand had been investigating how to make its watches more accessible there. The sudden tariff increase accelerated those plans, and the company has managed to absorb the cost. As a result, US prices are now back to July 2025 levels and, in some cases, even slightly lower. For customers on that side of the Atlantic, the Twelve 660 arrives with a little extra reason to celebrate.

Final thoughts on the Christopher Ward Twelve 660

Christopher Ward is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, and the brand shows no signs of slowing down. The Bel Canto brought it international recognition, but the Twelve has been quietly building a loyal fan base. The Twelve 660 adds another layer to that story. It is not the flashiest release of 2025, but it doesn’t need to be. Instead, it shows a brand learning to refine as much as it innovates. By focusing on slimness, balance, and detail, Christopher Ward has created a mature and confident watch.

I look forward to seeing one in person and finding out whether that sense of balance carries through from the images to the wrist. On paper, at least, the Twelve 660 looks like a reminder that less can indeed be more. Let us know what you think about it in the comments below.