Bel Canto Lumiere: Holy Lume!
I’ve mentioned before how, to me, Christopher Ward has gone through a bit of a shift over the last couple of years. They’ve gained a lot more market share and become far more established in the watch world - evolving from a microbrand into a full-fledged watch company. I love this for them, but with that growth has come a change in the brand's feel. To me, they’ve become more commercial, chasing a quick buck whenever they can, and a good example of that is the endless stream of limited editions they’ve released - and continue to release. That said, credit where credit’s due: they’ve also been pushing boundaries. Think C12 Loco, C1 Jump Hour Mk V (a very recent release), and, of course, the Bel Canto. The latter made the whole industry turn its head and say, “Damn, they’re onto something.”
The Bel Canto wasn’t groundbreaking in terms of mechanical innovation - chiming watches have been around for quite some time - but it was revolutionary for bringing that complication to a wider audience at a far more accessible price. With a starting price of £3195, it’s an intriguing proposition for anyone who wants a rare complication without paying the price of a brand-new SUV.
In true Christopher Ward fashion, though, success never comes without a flood of limited editions. That’s why We’ve seen, in no particular order, the original Bel Canto, the Bel Canto Classic, the Bel Canto Pride of Britain (a UK-themed edition of 10 celebrating the first British Watchmakers’ Day), The Red One (a collaboration with Andrew Morgan), the Bel Canto “Kills Bugs Fast” Limited Edition, the Bel Canto Phoenix, and the Bel Canto x Wyrd. And honestly, I may have forgotten to include a few…
Now, let’s be fair. From a commercial standpoint, you should definitely maximise your cash cow and milk it until it runs dry. But the real question is - when does it end? My guess? Never. Especially considering that we have another Bel Canto release, the Lumière.
You’d probably expect me to roll my eyes and say, “Here we go again - another one. The brand’s lost its soul and sold out to limited editions.” But actually… I really like this release.
Watch Specifications – C1 Bel Canto Lumière
Case diameter: 41 mm
Case thickness: 13.65 mm
Lug-to-lug: 48 mm
Case material: Grade 5 titanium
Water resistance: 30 m (3 ATM)
Movement: Sellita SW200-1 with FS01 module
Power reserve: 38 hours
Frequency: 28,800 vph / 4 Hz
Dial & lume details:
Smoked sapphire dial with blue Globolight® ring
Sunray-patterned platine printed with two shades of Super-LumiNova® (blue and green glow)
Strap/Bracelet options: White “Aquaflex Lume” rubber strap (Super-LumiNova-infused) or titanium Bader bracelet / Consort bracelet
Retail price (indicative): Approx. £3,495 (strap) / £3,745 (Bader bracelet) / £3,815 (Consort bracelet) depending on region & configuration
It looks kind of alien, but in the best way possible, like something straight out of Tron. The amount of lume is outrageous, yet somehow it works. On a classic-looking watch like the Bel Canto, that could easily look childish, but Christopher Ward has managed to make it feel futuristic instead. When it’s not glowing, the turquoise dial contrasts beautifully with the titanium case. Add in the white rubber strap infused with Super-LumiNova, and you’ve got a genuinely striking piece.
Christopher Ward may have leaned a bit too hard into the limited-edition frenzy, but the Bel Canto Lumière shows they haven’t lost their creative spark. It’s bold, weird, and refreshingly different - proof that even in the middle of commercial chaos, they can still surprise us with something that feels truly original.
Well done CW!
