Hands-On With The Christopher Ward C60 Clipper GMT
Mention Pan Am to watch fans, and the first association that comes to mind is the iconic Rolex GMT-Master. It has become one of the watch world’s most popular stories, always reflected in the classic travel watch with its red and blue “Pepsi” bezel. But apart from a watch created for Pan Am pilots to keep track of time in relevant places while traveling, there is far more to the airline’s history. This inspired Christopher Ward to collaborate with Pan Am to tell one of its many stories. The Christopher Ward C60 Clipper GMT celebrates how Pan Am became the first commercial airline to operate jet-powered transatlantic service in 1958. This has resulted in a modern GMT watch with a healthy dose of vintage charm and, as you would have guessed, the iconic Pan Am colors.
When the Christopher Ward C60 Clipper GMT landed on my desk, I couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow. If you are a regular reader of Fratello, you might know that I am a huge fan of the classic Rolex GMT-Master. As a watch enthusiast, the vintage reference 1675 holds a special place in my heart as the travel watch to have. Due to my love for the GMT-Master and the romance of its backstory, you will understand that seeing the Pan Am name pop up in combination with Christopher Ward was something to get used to. But instead of repulsing me, this new effort sparked my interest. What is the story behind this release? As it turns out, that story is quite interesting.
The story behind the Christopher Ward C60 Clipper GMT
If anything, the new Christopher Ward C60 Clipper GMT made me realize that I need to brush up on the history of Pan American World Airways (Pan Am). Since it’s such an iconic airline, there are plenty of great stories to read. Pan Am was a leader in the golden age of travel.
As such, it defined much of how we experience traveling across the globe today. One unique story is that Pan Am was the first commercial airline to operate a jet-powered transatlantic service. It all started on October 26th, 1958, when the legendary Boeing 707 “Clipper America” flew from Idlewild International Airport (now JFK) to Paris-Le Bourget.
To celebrate this historic achievement, Christopher Ward joined forces with Pan Am to create the special C60 Clipper GMT. The watch features the famous blue, white, and red Pan Am colors and has the airline’s word mark on the dial. Additionally, the “26” on the date wheel is printed in Pan Am’s iconic blue to mark the date that the transatlantic service began. On top of that, this watch will be produced in a limited run of 707 pieces, a special homage to the famous aircraft that shaped the future of global air travel.
The details of the Christopher Ward C60 Clipper GMT
Let’s go over the details to learn more. First, the watch utilizes Christopher Ward’s 42mm stainless steel Light-catcher case with a 12.45mm profile, a 49.3mm lug-to-lug, and a 300m depth rating. This case features a mix of vertical and horizontal brushing, and its polished chamfers add visual brilliance. Topping the case is a bezel with a blue aluminum insert featuring the IATA airport codes in all 24 time zones that were important in Pan Am history.
A special one is DAL for Dallas, representing an important Pan Am airport that offered flights to London and Frankfurt. Dallas is also where Christopher Ward opened its first showroom in the United States. If you know your IATA codes, you will notice that the prototype we received for review features a misprint. The code for Zürich is ZRH, not ZHR. Of course, the production models will have the correct code.
The second special code is LPB for La Paz, Bolivia. It was one of the main South American destinations of Panagra, Pan Am’s transport consortium. It expanded the airline’s reach across South America. Lastly, the EYW code for Key West International Airport is red. It represents the airport location of Pan Am’s first-ever flight in 1927. The triangular marker at 12 o’clock represents the time zone of the UK, Christopher Ward’s home base.
All the Pan Am details remind you of the special collaboration
The case is matched with an eggshell dial with applied markers filled with Super-LumiNova Grade X1 BL Old Radium for a retro feel. The date window at 6 o’clock displays the dates in black on a white date disc. As mentioned, the 26th of every month is in Pan Am blue, reminding us of the special day in 1958 when the Clipper flew from New York to Paris.
The rehaut features a 24-hour scale, and that’s also where we find the iconic combo of blue and red. Functionally, these colors represent the night- and daytime hours, but emotionally, they embody the Pan Am connection.
Several small details will also remind wearers of this special collaboration with Pan Am. A good example is the handset. The counterweight of the seconds hand features a little Clipper airplane executed in Pan Am blue, like the GMT hand. Also, this 24-hour hand’s tip contains vintage-inspired lume, as do the signature Christopher Ward hour and minute hands. On the dial’s upper half, you will find the applied Christopher Ward logo, while the lower half features the iconic Pan Am word mark in the brand’s signature blue. All these details hint at what makes this watch special without making the dial feel cluttered.
The special stamped case back features the Pan Am logo
The Pan Am fun continues on the case back. As you can see, it has the brand’s famous “Blue Meatball” globe logo embossed in it. Additionally, the unique LE number is laser-engraved into the screw-in case back. As a design enthusiast, I always love seeing the Pan Am logo because it is instantly recognizable and reminds me of the great early days of global travel.
Hiding underneath the case back is the Sellita SW330-2 caliber. This automatic caller-style GMT movement is a go-to for Christopher Ward. It operates at 28,800 vibrations per hour, has 25 jewels, and offers a 56-hour power reserve. Sellita rates its accuracy at ±20 seconds per day. That figure is nothing impressive, but as the owner of a Christopher Ward watch with the same caliber, I can say that mine runs far more accurately than the official numbers indicate.
Wearing the Christopher Ward C60 Clipper GMT
The Christopher Ward C60 Clipper GMT comes fitted with the brand’s Bader bracelet. This Oyster-style bracelet is an absolute joy in terms of quality and wearability. It includes screw pins in the links, a quick-release system, and a clasp offering toolless micro-adjustment. Additionally, you get a complimentary woven NATO-style strap made from the same material as Pan Am’s seatbelts. It has sewn-in quick-release spring bars, which make switching things up easy.
In all honesty, as I am a bracelet guy, I spent most of my time with this watch on its Bader bracelet. But I must say that the NATO-style strap is a good option. I was curious whether it would balance out the watch nicely on the wrist, and it does. On top of that, it tells a great story and looks pretty awesome. As nice as it is, though, the bracelet is my preferred option.
Final thoughts on the Christopher Ward C60 Clipper GMT
After I sized the bracelet, it was smooth sailing (or “flying”). The 42mm case is indeed substantial, and I would have loved it to have been a bit smaller. That said, Christopher Ward knows how to make a watch wear well.
The case shape and the relatively slender profile make the C60 Clipper GMT fit my 18.5cm wrist comfortably. However, I must say that due to its nearly 50mm lug-to-lug, this is not a watch for people with smaller wrists. While it was on mine, I loved turning the bezel. The 24 clicks are defined but soft, and it’s a great feeling.
Additionally, it is very easy to read the time in the two defined zones, not just via the geographical location but also with the rehaut’s 24-hour scale. I can imagine that most wearers will not necessarily know all the IATA airport codes by heart. That’s why the 24-hour scale adds practicality for daily use.
A watch for the true Pan Am fans
But overall, the storytelling of this special 707-piece limited edition is what draws most people in. After getting over my initial reservations, I quickly began to enjoy this watch for its comfort, practicality, and storytelling.
As already mentioned, I need to brush up on Pan Am’s history because that is what the watch made me want to do. The airline’s association with the Rolex GMT-Master is deeply ingrained in watch enthusiasts’ minds, and that won’t change anytime soon. However, I also recognize the charm and storytelling that make this new Christopher Ward C60 Clipper GMT stand out.
Christopher Ward won’t have any trouble finding 707 enthusiasts who will pay the £1,450 / €1,895 / US$1,995 retail price. The watch’s packaging includes a light blue cleaning cloth printed with a 1950s Clipper Jet drawing and a custom Pan Am blue sleeve. These complete the intriguing story of this watch. It’s a tale of the golden age of global travel and the role that Pan Am played in it, and I’m certain many collectors will love that.
Let me know what you think of the Christopher Ward C60 Clipper GMT in the comments below!
