The roar of four Pratt & Whitney turbojet engines powering a Boeing 707 down the runway at Idlewild Airport in 1958 signaled more than just a departure; it marked the beginning of a cultural shift that would shrink the globe and make international travel an aspirational lifestyle. There was a specific romance to that era, a time when the journey was as significant as the destination, and the distinctive blue globe of Pan American World Airways stood as the ultimate symbol of this jet-set optimism. Christopher Ward has tapped into this potent nostalgia, not by simply slapping a logo on a dial, but by engineering a dedicated travel watch that feels like a piece of equipment a 1960s flight captain might have actually worn. The new C60 Clipper GMT is a deliberate fusion of the brand’s robust dive watch architecture with the cosmopolitan flair of the world’s most famous defunct airline, resulting in a timepiece that balances heavy-duty specifications with a bright, retro-cool aesthetic.
This collaboration is particularly interesting because it takes the formidable chassis of the C60 Trident—a watch known primarily for its capabilities beneath the ocean surface—and repurposes it for the skies. The transition from diver to traveler is seamless, largely due to the shared necessity for durability and legibility in both environments. By utilizing the 42mm Light-catcher case, the watch retains a substantial presence on the wrist, characterized by the complex interplay of brushed and polished surfaces that Christopher Ward has mastered over the years. The case profile is designed to slim down the visual weight of the watch, allowing it to slide under a cuff comfortably while still asserting the ruggedness of a tool watch capable of withstanding 30 atmospheres of water pressure. It is a dual-purpose machine, equally ready for a swim in the hotel pool as it is for navigating the concourses of an international terminal.
Courtesy of Christopher Ward
Visually, the watch makes an immediate impact with a color palette that is undeniably American and deeply rooted in the mid-century design language. The dial is finished in a warm, creamy eggshell tone rather than a stark, clinical white, which instantly gives the piece a sense of age and warmth, mimicking the look of vintage enamel or naturally aged lacquer. This soft background provides high contrast for the applied indices, which are filled with a specific grade of Super-LumiNova designed to look like old radium. The faux-patina effect here is handled with restraint; it warms up the face of the watch without feeling artificial or overdone, bridging the gap between a modern luxury product and a heritage artifact. The text on the dial is crisp and balanced, with the Pan Am logo taking a prominent position at the bottom, balancing the twin flags motif at the top, creating a vertical symmetry that pleases the eye.
Surrounding this dial is the most distinct feature of the C60 Clipper GMT: the bi-directional aluminum bezel. Unlike a traditional dive bezel that counts elapsed time, this insert is marked with the IATA airport codes of twenty-four international destinations, serving as a functional world timer. The bezel insert is anodized in a rich, matte blue that matches the airline’s corporate identity perfectly. The codes themselves are a nod to the golden age of connectivity, featuring hubs like London, Tokyo, and New York. A sharp detail that enthusiasts will appreciate is the use of distinct red lettering for the ‘EYW’ code, representing Key West, Florida. This is a deep cut for aviation historians, referencing the location where Pan Am began its operations in 1927, flying mail and passengers to Havana. It is these small, thoughtful inclusions that elevate the watch from merchandise to a genuine tribute.
Functionality is at the core of any GMT watch, and the C60 Clipper GMT utilizes a dedicated fourth hand to track a second time zone. This hand is tipped with a prominent blue arrow, allowing for instant reading against the outer bezel or the inner 24-hour ring. This inner ring features a split-color "Pepsi" design—red for the daylight hours and blue for the night—which helps the wearer intuitively grasp the time of day in their home zone or destination. The integration of this 24-hour scale on the rehaut adds depth to the dial, creating a stadium-like effect that draws the eye inward. The interaction between the eggshell dial, the red and blue inner ring, and the matte blue outer bezel creates a vibrant, energetic look that captures the optimistic spirit of the 1950s without descending into cartoonish colors.
The handset itself is a modification of Christopher Ward’s standard trident design, tailored to fit the aviation theme. The hour and minute hands are large, faceted, and generously filled with lume to ensure visibility in the dim cabin of an airliner or the dark depths of the sea. The seconds hand features a custom counterweight shaped like the silhouette of a Boeing 707. This is a charming, literal touch that directly references the "Clipper America" aircraft, yet it is executed finely enough that it doesn't distract from the overall legibility of the watch. As the seconds hand sweeps around the dial, the little jet plane orbits the center, a constant kinetic reminder of the frantic, exciting pace of the jet age. It is a playful element that underscores the celebratory nature of this limited edition.
Courtesy of Christopher Ward
Inside the steel case beats the Sellita SW330-2 automatic movement, a Swiss engine chosen for its reliability and slim profile. This movement is a workhorse in the industry, known for its robustness and ease of service. It operates at a frequency of 4Hz, or 28,800 vibrations per hour, which gives the seconds hand a smooth, consistent sweep. Crucially, this version of the movement features an improved power reserve of approximately 56 hours, meaning the watch can be taken off for a couple of days and will still be running when picked up again. The GMT function on this caliber is of the "caller" variety, where the 24-hour hand can be adjusted independently. This is ideal for tracking a specific foreign time zone or for business communications, aligning perfectly with the premise of a world-traveler’s timepiece.
The date complication on this model has been given special attention to align with the historical narrative. The date window is positioned at the 6 o'clock mark, maintaining the dial's symmetry. While most numerals on the date wheel are standard, the number 26 is printed in Pan Am blue. This specific detail commemorates October 26, 1958, the date of the first commercial jet flight from New York to Paris by Pan Am. It is a subtle easter egg that will only appear once a month, a secret handshake between the watch and its owner that reinforces the historical weight of the partnership. The integration of the date window is clean, with a stepped frame that adds a touch of refinement to the aperture.
Turning the watch over reveals a solid steel caseback that is far from an afterthought. Deeply stamped into the metal is the iconic "Blue Meatball" logo—the globe with the sweeping wing that became one of the most recognized trademarks on the planet. The relief of the stamping is substantial, giving the caseback a premium, tactile quality that laser etching simply cannot match. Surrounding the central logo is the engraving of the limited edition number, marking each watch as one of only 707 pieces produced. This number is not arbitrary; it honors the Boeing 707, the aircraft that effectively shrunk the world and allowed Pan Am to dominate transatlantic travel. The use of a closed caseback also contributes to the impressive 300-meter water resistance, ensuring the watch remains a capable diver despite its pilot-style aesthetics.
Courtesy of Christopher Ward
The bracelet options for the C60 Clipper GMT are designed to offer versatility and comfort. The watch comes on Christopher Ward’s well-regarded Bader bracelet, a three-link stainless steel design that balances flexibility with solidity. The bracelet features a ratcheting clasp that allows for micro-adjustments on the fly, a feature that is invaluable when traveling between different climates causes the wrist to expand or contract. The finishing on the bracelet matches the case, with brushed outer links and polished center links that catch the light and add a dressier dimension to the watch. It gives the piece a cohesive, integrated look that feels substantial on the wrist, suitable for a boardroom or a departure lounge.
In addition to the steel bracelet, the package includes a supplementary strap that leans heavily into the aviation theme. This strap is crafted from a durable nylon textile that mimics the weave and feel of an airplane seatbelt. The grey fabric is neutral enough to work with almost any outfit, but the texture is distinct and rugged. It features a unique buckle mechanism that mimics the lift-latch of a vintage lap belt, a fun, tactile interaction that reinforces the Pan Am connection every time you strap it on. Swapping between the bracelet and the strap changes the character of the watch entirely, taking it from a sharp, metallic sports watch to a more casual, adventurous field companion.
The user experience of the bezel is worth noting for its specific mechanics. As a bi-directional bezel, it moves in both clockwise and counter-clockwise directions, which is the correct configuration for a travel watch. This allows the wearer to quickly adjust the bezel to align with the GMT hand to read a third time zone or to simply offset the hours for a quick calculation. The aluminum insert provides a matte finish that diffuses light, making the airport codes legible even under harsh overhead lighting. The choice of aluminum over ceramic is historically appropriate for a watch channeling the mid-20th century, as it will likely pick up its own unique character and patina over years of ownership and travel.
Courtesy of Christopher Ward
The overall dimensions of the watch make it a versatile companion for a variety of wrist sizes. At 42mm, it has a modern stance, but the lug-to-lug distance of just over 49mm ensures it remains wearable. The height of 12.45mm is relatively slender for a 300m dive watch with a GMT complication, a testament to the efficient packaging of the Sellita movement and the clever case design. The "Light-catcher" geometry plays a huge role here; by chamfering the edges and curving the lugs downwards, the brand has created a case that hugs the wrist rather than sitting atop it like a block. It feels engineered rather than just manufactured, with every curve and angle serving a purpose in ergonomic comfort or visual reduction.
The luminous performance of the C60 Clipper GMT is designed to meet the standards of professional diving equipment, which translates exceptionally well to general use. The Super-LumiNova Grade X1 BL C1 used on the hands and markers is top-tier material, offering a long-lasting glow that remains readable throughout the night. Whether you are checking the time during a red-eye flight while the cabin is darkened or glancing at your wrist in a movie theater, the legibility is immediate. The distinctive shapes of the hands—the broad arrow hour hand and the straight baton minute hand—make it impossible to confuse the two, even in low light situations.
Christopher Ward’s presentation of this limited edition goes beyond just the hardware. The unboxing experience is tailored to evoke the excitement of receiving a ticket for a long-haul flight in the golden era. The watch arrives in an eco-friendly luxury presentation case that features a custom sleeve designed to look like a Pan Am boarding pass. Inside, the owner receives a flight-manual style handbook and a polishing cloth printed with a technical drawing of the Clipper Jet. These ephemera add a layer of storytelling that makes the ownership experience feel curated and special. It frames the watch not just as a tool, but as a memento of a specific time in history when technology and style were inextricably linked.
The connection between the watch and the locations on the bezel offers a geography lesson on the wrist. Each code represents a chapter in the airline’s expansion, from the pioneering South American routes represented by La Paz (LPB) to the European capitals that became accessible to the masses. Wearing the watch is a reminder of how small the world has become, and how significant the leap was to jet propulsion. The C60 Clipper GMT doesn't just tell time; it tells the story of how we learned to cross oceans in hours instead of days. It honors the pilots, the crew, and the engineers who built the infrastructure of the modern world.
Courtesy of Christopher Ward
The choice of materials—marine-grade stainless steel, sapphire crystal, and anodized aluminum—ensures that this watch is built to last. The sapphire crystal is treated with an anti-reflective coating that minimizes glare, ensuring that the beautiful eggshell dial remains visible without distraction. The screw-down crown, embossed with the Christopher Ward twin flags, ensures that the case remains watertight and protects the movement from dust and moisture. The tactile feedback of winding the watch or screwing down the crown conveys a sense of mechanical precision, reinforcing the quality of the Swiss manufacturing.
Pricing for the Christopher Ward C60 Clipper GMT Pan Am is set at $1,995.00, a competitive figure given the Swiss automatic GMT movement, the limited production run, and the official licensing from Pan Am. The watch is available directly through the Christopher Ward website, but with the production strictly limited to 707 numbered pieces, availability is expected to be fleeting. For collectors of aviation memorabilia or enthusiasts looking for a travel watch with a distinct personality and legitimate history, this release offers a compelling package that captures the spirit of the jet age without the maintenance headaches of a vintage timepiece.
Case: 42mm stainless steel Light-catcher™ case, 12.45mm height, 49.3mm lug-to-lug, 75g weight (170g with bracelet). Blue aluminum bi-directional 24-click bezel with IATA airport codes (Red EYW). 30 ATM (300m) water resistance. Embossed screw-down crown. Anti-reflective sapphire crystal. Pan Am® ‘Blue Meatball’ logo deep-stamped on caseback.
Movement: Swiss made Sellita SW330-2 self-winding mechanical GMT. 25 jewels. 28,800 vibrations per hour (4Hz). 56-hour power reserve. Timing tolerance of +/- 20 seconds per day. Functions include central GMT hand, date, hour, minute, and hacked seconds.
Dial: Eggshell color with Super-LumiNova Grade X1 BL C1 on indexes and hands. Inner "Pepsi" (red/blue) GMT ring. Date window at 6 o'clock features "26" in blue to mark the first jet flight. Second hand features Boeing 707 Jet Clipper counterweight.
Strap: 22mm stainless steel Bader bracelet (Silver) and additional grey nylon textile strap with seatbelt pattern. Strap SKUs: 22-STL-20-SXS-MA2 / 22-NATO-01-SXG-DC-ST.
Price: $1,995.00
Reference Number: C60-42AGM3S0BWPA-B0N
Notes: Limited edition of 707 pieces honoring the Pan Am Boeing 707 ‘Clipper America’. Includes eco-friendly luxury presentation case with boarding-pass sleeve and flight-manual polishing cloth.