As I write the first sentence of this article, summer is behind us. Here in the Netherlands, it seems like we are experiencing longer periods of temperatures below 20 degrees Celsius (68 degrees Fahrenheit). This is both a physical and psychological condition. As the sun changes, the leaves start to fall from the trees, and our minds give in to the cold weather as our light and airy clothes are replaced by warmer clothes suited to lower temperatures. But as the seasons change, there is always that yearning for a longer summer. I look forward to enjoying a few more warm days with the Christopher Ward C60 Trident GMT 300 on my wrist. Will this colorful GMT help me to continue enjoying the summer days for a long time? The time is now.
The Christopher Ward C60 Trident GMT 300 was just recently released. But if you look away for even a second, you might miss it. The British brand has had quite a few notable releases lately, so it can be hard to keep up with all the latest coming out of their Maidenhead headquarters. This colorful version of the dive watch-based GMT was one of three new watches announced at the end of July. The first two had a more serious presence. One sports a blue dial with a bezel insert in two different shades of blue. The second sports a white dial with a blue and white bezel insert. On the bracelet, these two models look like serious everyday watches that will suit any situation, from casual summer days to more serious business settings.
The Story of the Christopher Ward C60 Trident GMT 300
The third model that Christopher Ward provided us for review immediately catches our eye. It features a gradient dial that starts almost off-white in the center and gradually changes to a dark teal towards the edges. Additionally, this watch has a stainless steel bezel insert. The combination of the gradient dial and full steel bezel really makes this third model stand out. Additionally, we received the watch with a bright yellow Aquaflex rubber strap, which really cranks up the summer vibes to 11. The watch is also available on the brand’s Bader and Consort bracelets, which go a long way in toning it down.
Overall, the first two models are perfect as full-fledged GMT versions of the brand’s popular C60 Trident Diver model. The colorful model we had is more of a casual diver’s watch with a GMT complication, but it’s better at it. If I were to make a belated list of summer watches, this model would definitely be on the list.
specification
All versions of the C60 Trident GMT 300 feature a 40mm stainless steel case that is 11.7mm thick and 47.5mm from lug to lug. As the name of the watch suggests, the watch is water resistant to 300m. The primarily brushed case has beautifully polished side bevels and the bezel (excluding the insert) is also polished, making for a watch that is a pleasure to look at. The case shines beautifully, especially in sunlight.
The stainless steel bezel insert also plays a big part in this, with its texture contrasting beautifully with the polished raised numerals, and the choice of materials and finishes give the watch character and make it feel like a true luxury watch.
The bidirectional bezel is easy to grip and rotates with a solid click, and the large branded crown on the right side of the case gives off a similarly premium feel. It’s very easy to grip and a pleasure to operate.
As mentioned above, we equipped this watch with the brand’s yellow Aquaflex strap, which not only adds a splash of color but also makes the watch extremely comfortable to wear. This durable and flexible strap allows the moderately slim watch to sit nicely on the wrist. It also highlights how well-sculpted the Light Catcher case is; it makes you wonder how other brands manage to design such slim cases for their lovely GMTs. Not only does the watch look gorgeous, it’s also extremely comfortable to wear.
The Colorful Dial of the C60 Trident GMT 300
On the wrist, the dial’s fine details become more apparent. This summery background contrasts with the applied hour markers, which are filled with white Super-LumiNova. The index at 6 o’clock is shorter due to the date window being directly above it. However, the date disc is a pleasant teal color, matching the dial border, with the date printed in white.
The hand set comprises Christopher Ward’s familiar hour, minute and second hands, as well as a bright yellow GMT hand. Along with the hour markers, the three main steel hands come in a variety of finishes that add to their appeal.
The dial really comes alive in the sunlight and the way the light reflects off the indices is simply stunning, which really highlights the premium feel of the watch and makes it stand out from many others in the same price range under 2,000 euros.
Inside the case, Christopher Ward is powered by a Sellita SW330-2, the automatic Kohler-style GMT movement that also powers the brand’s other multi-time watches, including my C65 Dune GMT This caliber runs at a frequency of 28,800vph, has 25 jewels, and has a power reserve of 56 hours.
The official accuracy of the movement is ±20 seconds per day, but I’ve checked the C65 Dune GMT multiple times and can say it runs within the chronometer specs, which is much more impressive than the official numbers would suggest. The movement comes with a customized rotor with a brand logo pattern. Other than that, fishing is very easy.
Final Thoughts on the C60 Trident GMT 300
As mentioned before, this summery C60 Trident GMT 300 really comes alive and shines brightly on the wrist, and not just because of its colorful presence. This particular version of the watch has a ton of character, which is accentuated by the beautiful finish and excellent build quality. I’m not one to buy watches specifically for the summer, but if I did, the C60 Trident GMT 300 would be a top contender.
The combination of elements in this watch makes me smile every time I look at it. It’s truly a colorful version of a great watch. There’s a lot to love about this watch: the sculpted case, slim profile, stainless steel bezel, great build quality, how it fits on the wrist, and the reliable movement.
Considering that you can get the Teal C60 Trident GMT 300 for €1,295, I’d say this watch is great value for money – the Bader bracelet adds another €200 to the price, and the Consort bracelet costs another €245 – but I wouldn’t buy this particular version on a bracelet.
Both bracelets make the watch look pretty serious. If you want a serious version, choose one of the two mentioned above. This teal C60 Trident on a yellow Aquaflex strap is the perfect summer GMT, and it has everything that makes Christopher Ward a great brand. The summery presence of this watch is enough to make you enjoy the summer a little longer. And that, ladies and gentlemen, is a feeling you can’t beat.
For more information on the C60 Trident GMT 300, check out the official Christopher Ward website , and let us know what you think of this summery, waterproof GMT in the comments section.