CWC: CWN1 - FXD KILLER?!?
By: Hunter Wealot - Watchmens Guild
Are there any doubts that titanium machined fixed lugs epitomize the highest level of capability when it comes to a TRUE tool watch?
Well, if you're on the fence - this one might not be for you.
For you TRUE BELIEVERS - we have no doubts the immense level of excitement you currently contain driving you to the edge of your seat. For you, this timepiece is all you've dreamed and more. If we've secured your attention - read on...
Origins
The CWC (Cabot Watch Co) CWN1 is a collaborative project between CWC and The Grey Nato (an adventure podcast oriented around timepieces - highly recommend).
The Grey Nato stands as arguably one of the most successful tool watch oriented podcast/organization in standing history. They are widely renowned and carry with them a considerable following of enthusiasts.
This piece, stands as their first official project of a bespoke timepiece. While most simply utilize a pre-established design, we applaud the TGN gents in conjunction with CWC for going all out and developing a new design to present as their first.
The CWN1 (designated the "Crew Watch No. 1") was exclusively offered to members of a private community for TGN producing just shy of 350 of these pieces.
For more in depth background, listen to this podcast episode by The Grey Nato with Malcom Bliss of CWC on their company history, the genesis of the CWN1, and what’s in store for the future.
Specs
The titanium fixed lug case measures in at a reasonable 41.5mm (45 including crown), 47mm lug-to-lug, 20mm lug width (with ample room for most any 20mm strap you could throw at it - our favs was our personal rubber strap, yeah we’re biased; and the WOE Glomar), and a just a bit over 12mm thick.
It hosts an anti reflective sapphire crystal, X1-C3 Super Luminova (which is absolutely fantastic; long lasting and easily charged. Makes a fantastic night time watch), and a high accuracy quartz movement (ETA F06.402) which boasts a seven year battery life and +/- 10 seconds per year accuracy.
Specific design notes for the CWN1 include the lack of the typical 'QUARTZ' stamp on dial CWC is known for, an orange tipped seconds hand, a nod to the tenure of TGN at the bottom of the dial "2016 TGN 2024", and a 12 hour 60 click GMT (anodized aluminum) unidirectional rotating bezel (with an absolutely phenomenal bezel feel - arguably one of the best we have ever felt. Extremely tactile with coin edge, very distinct, and oh so satisfying audible click from the spring actuated mechanism) that can be used both to track an additional timezone and elapsed time tracking thanks to it's inclusion of a arrow marker with luminous pip.
Usage - Why we're Excited
While we know and understand this exact CWN1 reference will not be available to the vast majority and we also only had a weeks time with it ourselves, we believe wholeheartedly this piece has the prospects to shake the industry as a major competitor/alternative of the Tudor FXD for the vast majority of the market.
Considering it's respective price point coming in at under a quarter of the cost of the FXD (Little over $1,000 for the CWN1, CWC advised the full production variant will reflect similar pricing) - we find ourselves loosing our past desire for the FXD (except for the FXD GMT, still a prospective grail for myself as it sets it self apart as a bit of an outlier - want to see one in person first though).
Simply put, the CWC still retains undeniable quality in design (especially the case), heritage in it's manufacturing with more of a personal feeling touch considering the company’s size in comparision, frankly feels a bit more natural on the wrist (be mindful, this perspective is from experience with the FXD in dealers alone not ownership), and zero sacrifice in it's practical intended usage of the design.
We are extremely excited for the promised full production variant that is expected in the coming months (per CWC).
All things considered; our only notes for future full production models would be a desire for a timing bezel of some variant (elapsed time is our personal favorite), a mechanical option for those who aren't on the grab and go high accuracy quartz train (you should reconsider btw), and a date window.
Of those three, in direct messaging CWC they confirmed the bezel choice will be elapsed time, there will be an automatic version later in the year, butttt no immediate luck on the date option yet. We will take two out three!
Conclusion - Is it for You?
If you're like us, and see a machined titanium fixed lug as the current industry ideal standard of a true beater take anything you throw at it tool watch - then it's for you.
CWC, our wallets await your word...
Virtus. Validus. Tempus
-Hunter
Very special thanks to @a_marine_and_his_wrist on Instagram for generously loaning us this piece!