Sameera Gamage 
Christopher Ward lets loose with the C12 Loco: a bold, mechanical marvel that’s as daring as it is refined. It’s the kind of watch that turns heads, sparks conversation, and proves that innovation doesn’t need to break the bank!
Christopher Ward’s latest marvel is the C12 “Loco,” a timepiece that is a remarkable addition to the brand’s lineup. It showcases both the innovation and horological craftsmanship that the watchmaker can offer. The release of this timepiece opens a new chapter for the brand, one that is fueled by bold and expressive creations. Not that this didn’t exist already for the brand, as we know the C1 “Bel Canto”, the “Petite Aiguille” prize winner, started this new creative direction that I personally absolutely love. There aren’t too many timepeices sub 10K Aud that feature such bold designs alongside a chiming mechanism.
Just like the C1 Bel Canto, this latest C12 “Loco” captures the spirit of mechanical innovation while embracing the playful, design-forward aesthetic. Christopher Ward has given the name “Loco” to this latest masterpiece because the design has been inspired by Locomotive trains, with the brand also saying that the watch is just a bit crazy too. It’s a statement piece that challenges convention and reinforces Christopher Ward’s growing presence in the world of contemporary horology.
This C12 Loco also perfectly bridges the gap between the more dressy and artistic dial “The Twelve” timepiece and the bold and daring C1 Bel Canto. The C12 Loco takes design inspiration from The Twelve’s case design, retaining the dodecagonal bezel shape on the circular base, sitting on a tonneau-shaped case. The Twelve also features a beautiful integrated bracelet, which has also been carried over to the C12 Loco. Then we have the C1 Bel Canto. The C12 Loco implements this model’s off-centre time dial design, while the C1 Bel Canto chiming mechanism has now been replaced with the intricately designed balance wheel.
What makes the C12 Loco truly stand out, however, is how it showcases Christopher Ward’s confidence in blending character with complexity. This timepiece isn’t simply a follow-up to the brand’s previous successful releases, but rather a culmination of lessons learned, refined ideas, and a clear desire to push the boundaries of the more affordable luxury watch market. This is a watch that doesn’t play it safe, and just like most of the watch community, I’m all for it!
Case Design
As mentioned previously, this new C12 Loco borrows its architectural brilliance from The Twelve timepiece, maintaining the distinctive dodecagonal bezel housed within a tonneau-style case. It strikes a refined balance between angular boldness and ergonomic design, with the case measuring in at 41mm in diameter and a modest 13.7mm thickness. These measurements give the watch wrist presence (not that it already doesn’t have it!) without being too overwhelming on the wrist. The finishing of the C12 Loco case also resembles The Twelve, with the dodecagonal bezel featuring grained and polished finishes, while the case has vertical brushed finishing. This gives the case aesthetic character, allowing it to glisten beautifully in different lighting angles.
Dial Design
Aesthetically, however, the dial is where the C12 Loco fully embraces its playful and ‘crazy’ side to stand out beautifully. The off-centre dial seen in the C1 Bel Canto is proudly showcased again on the C12 Loco, this time with large lume-filled hands and indices.
The other highlight of the dial is the exposed balance wheel, which has been beautifully designed to show that it’s suspended in a way that adds both depth and dynamism. This design reminds me of MB&F’s Legacy Machine, which shows the exposed balance wheel; however, with a bridge design that is more akin to Girard Perregaux’s Neo Constant (Force) Escapement. The finishing across the bridges and plates on the C12 Loco is clean, with a modern industrial feel that complements the watch’s locomotive-inspired identity.
Christopher Ward is offering the C12 Loco in a range of vibrant colours: Frisco Orange, Pasadena Blue, Alabaster White, and Ursa Black. The dial-colour matching rubber straps hone in on colour being a big role in the watch’s personality. The four different colours offer a variety not only for personal tastes but also for different wearability! The orange and blue dial variants are great fun outdoor summer pieces, while the white and black dials offer a more subdued and classy appearance.
Movement
The beating heart of the C12 Loco is a movement that marks a significant leap forward in Christopher Ward’s movement development journey. The in-house Calibre CW-003 is a manual-wind movement which offers an incredible 144-hour power reserve. This is achieved all thanks to the twin barrels arranged in a vertical stack, an engineering choice which contributed to the compact layout. Of course, the standout feature of the movement (if the power reserve wasn’t enough to warrant it already) is the escapement components (balance wheel, hairspring, pallet fork and escape wheel) all being on the dial side.
Initial Thoughts
When this timepiece was first unveiled, there was a lot of hype in the watch industry. Even within the WatchAdvice team, messages were sent abuzz about how stunning it looks and its mechanical ingenuity. And to top it all off, it’s at an affordable price point that almost seems too good to be true. Personally, I love timepieces like this. If you’ve been following my watch journey, you’ll know I’m a huge fan of colourful dials and bold, expressive designs that bring personality to the wrist. The C12 Loco is right up my alley, being a playful timepiece with mechanical ingenuity. Christopher Ward has once again proven that serious watchmaking doesn’t have to come wrapped in tradition; it can be daring, vibrant, and a little loco.
In a market where daring designs and technical innovation tend to come with a heavy premium, the C12 Loco delivers both in a package that feels accessible, exciting, and unapologetically different. This timepiece is a bold statement of what Christopher Ward is all about, and if you weren’t looking at the earlier, well, they’re certainly on the radar now!
Specification: Christopher Ward – C12 Loco
- Dimensions: 41mm x 13.7mm thick x 47.5mm lug-to-lug
- Case Material: Stainless steel
- Dial: Frisco Orange, Pasadena Blue, Alabaster White, and Ursa Black dial colours with off-centre time dial and open balance wheel and escapement at 6 o’clock.
- Water Resistance: 30m (3 Bar)
- Movement: In-house Calibre CW-003
- Movement Power reserve: 144 hours operating at 4Hz (28,800 VpH)
- Crystal: Sapphire with antireflective coating on both sides.
- Bracelet/Strap: Integrated stainless steel bracelet or dial colour matching rubber strap with deployant strap.
