Christopher Ward Twelve Midnight

Christopher Ward has carved out a significant niche in the horological landscape by operating with a level of agility and responsiveness that larger Swiss conglomerates often struggle to match. The brand’s direct-to-consumer model allows for a tighter feedback loop between manufacturer and enthusiast, a dynamic that has once again manifested in physical form with the release of the Christopher Ward Twelve Midnight. This specific model does not owe its existence to a boardroom strategy session or a trend-forecasting agency, but rather to a direct request from a client who envisioned a hybrid of two existing models. The concept was simple yet astute: take the wearable, architectural case of the 38mm Twelve and fit it with the deep, inky lacquered black dial found on the larger, more robust Twelve 660. The result is a limited production run that serves as a testament to the brand's willingness to engage with its community on a granular level.



The genre of the integrated bracelet sports watch has dominated industry conversations for several years, often defined by specific geometric codes established in the 1970s. When Christopher Ward entered this crowded arena with the original Twelve, the challenge was to create a design that felt familiar enough to be accepted as part of the genre, yet distinct enough to avoid accusations of being a derivative homage. The Twelve Midnight continues this successful design language but shifts the aesthetic focus significantly. By removing the textured, three-dimensional dial pattern that defines the standard Twelve production models, this limited edition alters the way light interacts with the watch face, trading complex shadows for high-contrast clarity.



Visually, the Twelve Midnight presents a profile that is both sharp and cohesive, defined by the uninterrupted lines that flow from the case body into the bracelet. The stainless steel construction is finished with a combination of brushed and polished surfaces that highlight the complex geometry of the case. The bezel is a particular standout feature, utilizing a twelve-sided dodecagonal shape that gives the collection its name. The execution of this bezel involves a series of varied finishes; the upper surface is brushed, while the angled flanks are highly polished, creating a ring of light that frames the dial. This interplay of matte and reflective surfaces serves to break up the visual mass of the steel, making the watch appear dynamic on the wrist as it moves through different lighting conditions.



The dial itself is the primary differentiator for this release. While previous iterations of the Twelve relied on a stamped texture to create depth, the Midnight employs a smooth, black lacquer finish. Lacquer is a material that demands precision; unlike a matte surface which can hide minor imperfections, a polished lacquer dial is unforgiving, revealing even the slightest unevenness. The deep black surface acts as a mirror, creating a "liquid" effect that provides a stark backdrop for the applied elements. This choice of finish aligns the watch closer to the dressier side of the sports watch spectrum, stripping away the rugged tool-watch texture in favor of something sleeker and more uniform.



Floating above this abyssal black background are the applied hour markers, which share the same architectural philosophy as the case. These are not simple printed batons but multi-faceted metallic structures that catch the light independently. The indices are top-brushed with diamond-polished chamfers, ensuring that they remain legible even in low light while adding a sense of three-dimensionality to the flat lacquered plain. The double markers at the 12 o’clock position anchor the orientation, providing a visual weight that balances the date window positioned at 6 o’clock.



The date window integration on the Twelve Midnight demonstrates a commendable attention to detail. Rather than cutting a raw aperture into the dial, the window is framed with a metallic border that matches the indices. Furthermore, the date wheel itself is color-matched to the black dial, with the numerals printed in white. This negative-date display ensures that the complication does not disrupt the symmetry of the dial or stand out as an afterthought. It integrates seamlessly, maintaining the clean, minimalist ethos that the lacquered surface attempts to project.



At the 12 o’clock position, the Christopher Ward "Twin Flags" logo is applied in polished metal. This logo, representing the English and Swiss flags, has become a hallmark of the brand's modern era, symbolizing the dual heritage of British design and Swiss manufacturing. On this model, the logo is allowed to stand alone without the brand name written out in text, a design choice that declutters the upper half of the dial and speaks to a confidence in the brand's visual identity. The absence of text allows the black lacquer to dominate the visual field, reinforcing the "Midnight" moniker.



The handset chosen for this model is equally intricate. The hour and minute hands are substantial, featuring brushed surfaces and polished bevels that mimic the indices. They are filled with Super-LumiNova Grade X1 BL C1, a high-performance luminous material that appears white in daylight and glows with a blue hue in the dark. The seconds hand features the signature trident counter-balance, a subtle nod to the brand's aquatic watches, adding a touch of character to the sweeping motion. The legibility remains high due to the sheer contrast between the polished steel hands and the light-absorbing black dial.



One specific detail that becomes apparent upon close inspection is the inner chapter ring. This component serves a functional purpose, securing the thinner lacquered dial within the case, but it also adds a layer of depth to the visual experience. It creates a stadium-like effect, a transitional zone between the flat dial and the angled bezel. This stepped arrangement prevents the watch face from looking flat or two-dimensional, ensuring that despite the removal of the textured dial, there is still plenty of visual interest for the wearer to explore.



Turning the watch over reveals the mechanical heart of the piece. The twelve-sided caseback features a sapphire crystal exhibition window, secured by screws, allowing a view of the Sellita SW200-1 movement. The rotor has been customized with the "Colimaçoné" finish, a spiraling pattern that adds a decorative flair to the oscillating weight. Engravings on the steel caseback ring indicate the water resistance rating and the specific limited edition number, marking each piece as one of only 300 produced. The integration of the caseback into the overall shape ensures that the watch sits flat and comfortable against the wrist.



The movement powering the Twelve Midnight is the ubiquitous and reliable Sellita SW200-1. This Swiss-made automatic caliber is an industry standard for a reason, offering a robust balance of performance and serviceability. Operating at a frequency of 4Hz, or 28,800 vibrations per hour, the movement provides a smooth sweep of the seconds hand, equating to eight ticks per second. With a power reserve of 38 hours, it is sufficient for daily wear, though it does not push the boundaries of modern extended power reserves. It features an integrated anti-shock system, ensuring that the mechanism maintains accuracy even when subjected to the sudden jolts associated with active wear.



The case dimensions are critical to the appeal of this specific reference. At 38mm in diameter, the watch occupies a sweet spot that accommodates a wide variety of wrist sizes. The integrated bracelet design often means watches wear larger than their dimensions suggest, but the compact 43.3mm lug-to-lug measurement of the Twelve Midnight ensures it remains contained within the width of an average wrist. The height of the case is a slender 9.95mm, allowing it to slide easily under a shirt cuff. This slim profile is a significant advantage for a watch that aims to bridge the gap between sports and dress aesthetics.



The bracelet itself is a feat of engineering, featuring a single-link design that tapers dramatically from 25mm at the lugs to 17mm at the clasp. This aggressive taper adds a refined, vintage feel to the wearing experience and reduces bulk on the underside of the wrist. The links are finished with the same brushed and polished treatment as the case, creating a seamless visual flow. The articulation of the links is smooth, allowing the bracelet to drape naturally around the wrist without pulling hair or pinching skin.



Securing the bracelet is a butterfly clasp, a mechanism chosen for its ability to maintain the continuity of the bracelet design when closed. While butterfly clasps do not typically offer the micro-adjustment capabilities of a diver’s clasp, the Twelve Midnight includes half-links to assist in finding a precise fit. The clasp release is actuated by twin push-buttons, ensuring the watch remains distinctive and secure until the wearer intentionally removes it. The lack of a bulky fold-over clasp contributes to the streamlined, jewelry-like quality of the integrated design.



Water resistance is rated at 10 ATM, or 100 meters, a specification that confirms the Twelve Midnight’s status as a "Go Anywhere, Do Anything" (GADA) timepiece. A screw-down crown, embossed with the twin flags logo, further secures the case against moisture and dust intrusion. This level of protection means the watch is perfectly capable of handling swimming or snorkeling, reinforcing the sporty characteristics inherent in the Twelve collection despite the dressier dial finish. The crown is guarded by subtle protrusions in the case side, offering protection against impacts without adding excessive bulk.



The weight of the watch is another factor contributing to its wearability. The watch head alone weighs 60g, and with the full steel bracelet, the total weight is approximately 157g. This provides a reassuring presence on the wrist—solid enough to feel substantial and well-made, but not so heavy as to become burdensome during extended periods of wear. The balance of the watch head against the bracelet is well-calibrated, preventing the watch from becoming top-heavy and rotating on the wrist.



The "Midnight" designation is apt not just for the color of the dial, but for the mood the watch evokes. The combination of the stark black lacquer and the cool tones of the stainless steel creates a monochromatic aesthetic that is severe yet sophisticated. It lacks the playful colors often seen in the sports watch market, opting instead for a serious, purposeful demeanor. It is a watch that would look as appropriate with formal evening wear as it would with casual weekend attire, a versatility that is highly prized by collectors who prefer a smaller rotation of timepieces.



The creation of the Twelve Midnight highlights the evolving relationship between watch brands and their enthusiasts. The fact that a customer’s inquiry could spark the production of a limited series speaks to the accessibility of the Christopher Ward team. It suggests that the brand views its catalog not as a static entity, but as a modular system where different elements can be recombined to create new expressions. The "Twelve 660" dial in the "Twelve 38mm" case was an obvious combination in hindsight, but it took an outsider’s perspective to bring it to the manufacturing table.



This release acts as a middle ground in the current Christopher Ward lineup. It sits between the rugged, larger dive-focused models and the standard textured-dial sports models. It offers the specific technical benefits of the Twelve series—the thinness, the integrated bracelet, the 100m water resistance—but packages them in a way that feels slightly more traditional and formal due to the glossy dial. It is an exercise in restraint, removing the complex dial pattern to let the case geometry and the depth of the black lacquer speak for themselves.



Pricing and availability for the Christopher Ward Twelve Midnight are structured to reflect its limited nature. The model is priced at $1,405.00, a figure that remains competitive within the landscape of Swiss-made integrated bracelet watches. However, unlike the standard production models, the Midnight is restricted to a total run of 300 pieces. This scarcity adds a layer of urgency for potential buyers, as the combination of the popular 38mm size and the clean black dial is likely to resonate strongly with the brand’s existing fanbase. Once the 300 units are allocated, it is unlikely this exact configuration will return, making it a fleeting opportunity to acquire a unique variant of one of the brand's most successful designs.



Case: 38mm stainless steel construction with brushed, sandblasted, and polished finishes; 9.95mm height, 43.30mm lug-to-lug, 60g weight. Features a triple-finished 12-sided bezel, screw-down exhibition caseback, embossed screw-down crown, and 10 ATM (100m) water resistance.



Movement: Swiss-made Sellita SW200-1 automatic caliber; 26 jewels, 38-hour power reserve, 4Hz frequency (28,800 vph). Features Elaboré ‘Colimaçoné’ finish, anti-shock system, and date complication. Timing tolerance of +/- 20 sec/day.



Dial: Midnight Black with polished lacquer finish. Applied CW Twin Flag logo at 12 o'clock, top-brushed indexes with diamond polished facets, and Super-LumiNova Grade X1 BL C1 on hands and markers. Date window positioned at 6 o'clock.



Strap: Integrated marine-grade stainless steel bracelet with single-link design. Tapers from 25mm to 17mm. Features butterfly clasp, screw links, and quick-release system.



Price: $1,405.00



Reference Number: C12-38ADA1-MXII-B0



Notes: Limited edition run of 300 pieces. The configuration was created following a specific customer request to combine the 38mm Twelve case with the lacquered black dial previously only available on the Twelve 660.