The mens replica Chr. Ward C70 3527 GT limited edition wristwatch (ref. C70-3527GT-SRK) looks like it was inspired (and also heavily influenced) by chronographs that were selling back in 1960s and, perhaps, 1970s.

As their C7 Italian Racing Red Chronometer that the British brand has introduced earlier this year, the new model is powered by the same ETA 251.233 Thermoline thermo-compensated quartz movement. Offering very high level of accuracy, the mechanism is officially rated as a chronometer by the Swiss-based COSC certification authority. Similar mechanisms are used in much more expensive Breitling SuperQuartz watches, so you get the idea how good they really are. Cheerful (and perhaps even playful), the watch features the signature exaggerated minute track designed to look like scales on a sports car’s instrument panel, and extremely contrast color scheme for its busy dial, but is powered by a way more precise thermo-compensated quartz movement. Designed and manufactured by ETA, it surpasses any “normal” quartz caliber by an order of magnitude when it comes to the tiny amount of time it gains or loses during a whole year of operation.

Chr. Ward C70 3527 GT Limited Edition Chronometer (Ref. C70-3527GT-SRK, side view, number plaque)

Featuring the same stainless steel body 42 millimeters in diameter, the watch still looks very different from the older model.

 

Chr. Ward C70 3527 GT Limited Edition Chronometer (Ref. C70-3527GT-SRK, sapphire case back)

 

 

 

The first thing that you will notice is, of course the dial with its characteristic Arabic numeral “12”, which is printed in bold black over a bright yellow circle. While the red background of the dial probably refers to the color vintage Ferrari sports cars are usually associated with, the yellow circle with black numeral seems to be a sort of nod to the Italian brand’s famous coat of arms with its black prancing horse painted over a yellow shield.

Well, at least there is a thick layer of icing on this steel cake. As you can see on the photos, the back of the timepiece features a sapphire crystal (a rare thing for quartz-powered devices, to say the least). Although the cutout in the solid back doesn’t allow you to see the movement that animates the C70 3527 GT, it nevertheless gives you a much more rewarding experience. Securely protected from dust and humidity, a piece of exterior paneling from the seventh 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO sports car is placed behind the “museum-grade” crystal.

Chr. Ward C70 3527 GT Limited Edition Chronometer quartz wristwatch (Ref. C70-3527GT-SRK)

Although owning the whole thing would probably be great, you must understand that a real thing usually sells at auctions at around €50M, so with the price of the chronometer set at just £2150, the extra premium that Chr. Ward charges you with this limited edition model seems to be quite generous. The fact that the gadget is limited to just 100 numbered pieces may help, too.

 

See also: Chopard Mille Miglia Zagato Chronograph GMT Limited Edition (Ref. 168550-6001)

Chr. Ward C70 3527 GT Limited Edition Chronometer (Ref. C70-3527GT-SRK, crown and chrono push-pieces)

Chr. Ward C70 3527 GT Limited Edition Chronometer (Ref. C70-3527GT-SRK, dial)

Chr. Ward C70 3527 GT Limited Edition Chronometer (Ref. C70-3527GT-SRK, sapphire case back, fragment)

Photos: Chr. Ward

WWR preliminary verdict

Originality 3/5
Build quality: 4/5
Usability: 4/5
Legibility: 4/5
Value for money: 3/5

Chr. Ward C70 3527 GT Limited Edition Chronometer (Ref. C70-3527GT-SRK) watch specification

Price: £2150 (Non-EC Price £1791.67)
Movement: Quartz, ETA 251.233 Thermoline, thermo-compensated, COSC-certified chronometer, Swiss Made
Number of jewels: 27
Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, date, chronograph
Case material: Stainless steel
Bezel material: Matches case
Crown material: Matches case
Case shape: Round
Bezel shape: Round
Case size: 42.00 mm
Case height: 13.50 mm
Lug width: 22.00 mm
Dial: Red
Numerals: Arabic
Hour markers: Luminous
Hands: Luminous
Water resistance: 100 meters
Strap: Black Italian leather strap including red leather lining and Bader deployment clasp
Crystal: Sapphire, convex
Case back: Sapphire (shows an original piece of exterior paneling from the seventh 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO)

I suspect that correcting time on this piece may be a bit problematic, and some people (especially frequent travelers that have to adjust their watches for new time zones more than once in a month) may actually find this design highly annoying. The setting crown and chronograph push-pieces, too, make a bit better impression with their more refined shapes. However, while the crown on the C7 IRRC was notched allowing for a comfortable grip, the same part on this mens Chr. Ward copy watch is polished defying the laws of ergonomics.