After being at this for over a decade, sometimes I?m just looking to be surprised. It?s very rare that a watch we get in for review is not well made these days. If anything, we occasionally can say that at X price we wish the finishing were better, or that a certain feature was present or not. But ultimately, the watches we review are very solid and reliable. So, reviews come down to aesthetics, fit, experience, value, etc. In other words, subjective topics that are fair to disagree with. Thankfully, in the last few months, I have indeed been surprised by some releases. Brands have started to innovate with movement functionality and case design in a way that feels like it?s been missing and speaks not to a lack of creativity, but rather an industry that is now able to meet those ideas with relatively affordable solutions. This brings me to the topic of conversation. When Christopher Ward released the C63 Sealander Elite, I was indeed surprised. It wasn?t that they made a titanium chronometer at a compelling price, or even that they went out of their way to lighten it, which is always great, it?s that they made a recessed, push-button crown.

That?s it" You might be saying. To which I?d answer, yes. For the most part, watches are basically the same thing, if you were to ignore the aesthetic elements. Three hands, a crown, a strap, a steel (usually) case, maybe a complication, etc. So, something as simple and novel as a crown that works differently is, well, exciting....