Christopher Ward C1 Bel Canto Rosa Edition ‘Sonnerie au Passage’ with Floating Time Display in Grade 5 Titanium, Featuring a 41mm Light-Catcher Case, Rare Salmon Sunray Dial, Exposed 3D Hand-Finished Bridges, Spring and Hammer Mechanism, Self-Winding Calibre FS01 Automatic Movement with Hourly Chiming Complication, Domed Anti-Reflective Sapphire Crystal, and Fitted on a Brown Vacona Leather Strap.

The 41mm case is crafted from Grade 5 titanium, combining exceptional lightness, strength, and acoustic performance, specifically engineered to enhance the resonance of the chiming mechanism. The Light-Catcher™ architecture features a refined blend of brushed and polished surfaces, giving the watch a modern yet elegant presence on the wrist. The deeply stamped caseback showcases a soundwave motif, reinforcing the musical identity of the piece, while the push-down crown with twin flags motif and domed anti-reflective sapphire crystal complete the refined construction. A discreet pusher at 4 o’clock allows the wearer to activate or silence the chime, indicated by a red on/off display integrated into the dial.

The dial is a true centerpiece, executed in a rare salmon “Rosa” sunray finish that radiates warmth and depth. The multi-layered openworked architecture reveals the entire chiming system, with a floating time display subdial positioned above the mechanism for a striking three-dimensional effect. The hand-finished bridges, spring, and hammer—crafted and polished under microscope—create a visual composition reminiscent of a songbird in motion. A mirror-polished gong curves elegantly around the dial’s perimeter, while raised brushed and polished indexes add structure and legibility. The result is a dial that is both technically expressive and artistically captivating.

At the heart of the watch is the Calibre FS01, a highly innovative self-winding movement developed by Christopher Ward’s technical director Frank Stelzer. Built on a Sellita SW200-1 base and enhanced by a proprietary module of over 60 additional components, the movement powers the “Sonnerie au Passage” complication—striking a chime automatically at the top of every hour. Operating at 28,800 vibrations per hour with 29 jewels and a 38-hour power reserve, the movement represents a remarkable blend of ingenuity and mechanical precision. The chiming system has been meticulously tuned, with extensive development dedicated to achieving a clear, melodic tone in the key of D, audible directly from the wrist.

The C1 Bel Canto Rosa Edition represents a rare fusion of visual and acoustic horology, combining high-end finishing, innovative engineering, and artistic design in a way rarely seen at this level. With its exposed striking mechanism, musical complication, and distinctive salmon dial, this timepiece stands as one of the most unique and technically compelling modern watches, offering collectors an entirely different way to experience the passage of time—not just visually, but audibly.

What makes this piece even more compelling is that it’s not just admired by collectors, it’s been recognized at the highest level of watchmaking. Awarded the 2023 GPHG “Petite Aiguille” Prize, this watch earned its place among the industry’s elite, judged by the most respected names in horology. That’s not marketing, it’s validation. In a space where true innovation is rare and often priced far beyond reach, this is a watch that broke through on pure merit: design, engineering, and originality all working together in a way that genuinely moved the needle. Owning it means you’re not just buying something interesting, you’re owning a piece that the entire watch world stopped and acknowledged.

Reference No. C01-41APT0-T00A0-B1