Where Are The Bel Canto Pre-Orders? | Christopher Ward Update

[@jackmcclary2136]

I’d rather have it arrive right than on time. CW deserves some slack for shaking things up in favor of buyers being able to get haute horology at this price point.

[@taylortaylor1029]

I agree. Hoping to get my green one in the next 60 days!

[@GaryPallett]

Having been very fortunate to order the original (blue) Bel Canto (#66), and receive mine in late November last year, all I can say is that this watch is very much worth waiting for. If you're interested in watches, complications and watch history, this is a super enjoyable watch and still puts a smile on my face every time I wear it, and hear that chime... even nine months later 😃

[@alineharam]

You are lucky . . .your mother should be proud of you for having good taste and patience.

[@markwheeler4417]

It's good to hear that CW have been keeping people informed of Bel Canto status. It just goes to show that manufacturing isn't easy.

[@SLCHigh]

I was originally scheduled to receive my Bel Canto in July ‘23, watching this video makes me even more excited. I am a believer in Christopher Ward. I love and adore every timepiece I own from them. Still waiting with patience and respect!

[@paulhom8423]

I’m scheduled to receive mine DEC 2023. I’m happy to wait. I’m in the manufacturing business and understand material delays. Excellent communication with CW. Great interview!!

[@killsbugsfastreallfast]

Great job getting mic time with Mike!

[@gavinj01]

I pre-ordered mine a while ago and this just makes me appreciate CW that much more. This is a significant product and a challenging piece of engineering. Why wouldn't you want to get it right and ensure that the customer experience is memorable. It will just make me appreciate it that much more when my beautiful Cielo blue Bel Canto arrives next March. Thank you CW team for doing things the right way!

[@Supercruze]

I had a Bel Canto in black on pre-order and paid the security deposit. I was on the schedule for delivery in Feb 2024. I received an email several weeks ago that production was delayed and my delivery date was pushed back to April 2024. The allure is gone and I decided to go in a different direction and asked CW to cancel my order and refund my deposit. CW was very polite and responsive to my request and the funds were refunded in short order. I have to give CW credit for creating this unique timepiece and demanding nothing but the best quality standards. Their customer service and communication throughout has been excellent. I hope to buy a CW timepiece at some point in the future.

[@CasualWatchReviews]

That’s totally understandable!

[@steelsteez6118]

I would rather exercise the patience (it's all about your mental discipline here) and have them delay it multiple times (as many times as they need in fact) as long as the final product is of sheer excellence and supercedes my expectations. I much prefer this over companies rushing to meet some deadline and then giving us a half arsed halfed baked product as was cyberpunk 2077. No thanks! Take as long as you need but get it right the first time! CW is definitely doing the right thing by not lowering their standards. This is the making of a potential powerhouse.....

[@TruthTeller00]

How did you get in touch with CW?

[@Supercruze]

@@steelsteez6118 - I agree. I just lost interest and decided to put the funds toward another watch I wanted for my collection.

[@marcusorme261]

Recently bought my first CW after watching countless videos, including several of your own. Absolutely delighted with it, many thanks for the recommendations

[@brandonjames1606]

I ordered my black Bel Canto Dec 22, 2022. This morning I received, by my recollection, my third order update delay email pushing the delivery date out until the end of this December. Finding this video has restored my faith for now, but there is a point where faith dries up. It's clear CW is a trustworthy company that is shaking up an industry that truly needs budget friendly innovators. I really hope these delays are merely a speed bump on their incredible journey, and not an indication of more systemic issues. I guess we'll see.

[@alperensarac856]

I like the foreshadowing of something new coming next year. Holy shit it's been a while since I have been excited about what is next for a watch company. Awesome job!

[@nicholaslockley3998]

I have a bel canto on order. And am in no rush. Who could be when a £40 digital can chime on the hour every hour. I’m buying the bc for the miracle of precision engineering and aesthetic excellence. So take your time Mike and team to get it right. And in the meantime i think they are writing another chapter in the direct to consumer play book. Chapeau, as the Swiss-French would say. Hats off!

[@lostgenerate]

I placed an order however apart from a general newsletter email in April 2023 have not heard anything more. Subsequent followup emails from me requesting for an update has fallen on deaf ears… Communication is terrible, just hope the promised watch isn’t so

[@rahulxsood]

They've been actually really good --- their communication is 100x better than it ever was. They kept me up to date on two watches I ordered. I received one BC already it's awesome. So I'm happy to wait, and I'm about to order the new moonphase as well.

[@alineharam]

It is something I very much want. It is beautiful and worth every cent!

[@You.are.boring.me.now2024]

Have one on order and happy to wait.

[@morgan97475]

A stunning watch by a thoroughly professional company. FWIW, this watch looks far better in person than in photos.....and it looks great in photos.

[@philboyce1582]

Awaiting mine which was due for delivery in July but now is potentially November. Have to say I’d rather have a delay than a compromised watch... CW have kept us up to date so I have no problems.

[@CyberSammael]

You got lucky. Mine was also scheduled for July but got pushed back to December (so far). I guess due to a different colour. Generally I have no problem with this, and mostly expected a delay of some kind. I am a fan of CW and this will be my third. The only time I was frustrated was the initial email that said that there was a delay in July, but didnt give any expected date. A month later there was an update with the expected date for December, but it was a little frustrating not knowing if the delay was a few weeks or a year at that time. Aside from that, I am really looking forward to this one arriving with me.

[@mell3109]

I was just watching your video on the 36mm 12 and I wanted to ask about my Bel Canto!! I was a few week from getting mine but it’s been put back to November. I didn’t like the late change, I think being told earlier was possible and should have been done.

[@stephen9609]

Doesn't surprise me give the complexity of the watch and the low price. My guess is that CW isn't even making a profit on these right now - they're probably using it as a marketing tool for the company moving forward

[@thegorn]

Yeah it’s brilliant PR.

[@rogergrant455]

Hi Sir! Everything that's good (GREAT) is worth waiting for. I want one too, so I guess I join the queue! You can't rush perfection. 😊

[@joemyers9893]

Hi Sam,i got email saying Bel Canto was put back til June 2024 so i decided to cancel,not that i have anything against CW,was more impatience but i have just ordered the new Mulberry red Sealander and bought the newly released Atoll a few weeks ago,still love the brand and will definetly buy more.

[@CasualWatchReviews]

I can totally understand that! The atoll looked stunning!

[@joemyers9893]

Yes it is Sam,never been off wrist since I bought it.

[@InAMinMaths]

How’s that mulberry sealander?

[@kazochrymowicz3076]

I’m sticking to my goal and will wait for it as long as it takes. Love their openness to inform everyone to problems with production. Only one thing is I would like to change the color of my strap to navy blue

[@MT-kx2uc]

Mine took 2 extra months. Well worth it they wanted to get it right. That's good!

[@achuck4321]

I had the light blue bel canto on order. The communication was not great from CW. They wait until the last minute to inform of delays. My watch was pushed from June 2023 to November 2023. For a non-limited watch, it’s too long of a wait and not the experience I wanted. On the forum, there are lots of upset people about this.

[@thegorn]

First world problems eh

[@CasualWatchReviews]

This is a channel about watch collecting... we only deal in first world problems

[@bovinestool1681]

I already owned two CW watches before i pre ordered a Bel Canto in February 2023. It was initially due to be delivered in November 2023 but i received an email in September saying the estimated delivery was now April 2024. Although i was disappointed i accepted the news as something which couldn't be helped. Then a couple of days ago a got a promotional email from CW to say that at the British Watchmakers Day in London on March 9th 2024 they will have 10 limited edition Bel Canto watches available to purchase. As someone who paid £1,000 deposit nearly 12 months ago i'm absolutely livid that CW are not prioritising those who have been waiting for so long and would rather sell to someone who walks in off the street.

[@CasualWatchReviews]

I’m going to check if I got that email. I would feel the same way honestly.

[@bovinestool1681]

@@CasualWatchReviews Finally received my Bel Canto today 06/06/2024. Sixteen months after i paid my £1,000 pre order deposit. Never again will i pre order with Christopher Ward.

[@sirrugglesby2190]

It’s great to see a British brand ensuring that they deliver a quality product

[@TheKillWizard]

I am waiting and can't wait to get mine.

[@reconteam91]

Also waiting for my Cielo Bel Canto. But as I replied to CW, "measure twice, cut once". Hope it arrives on my April birthday though.

[@Cohen.the.Worrier]

Thanks for the update.

[@nevillewright1998]

Thank you for the update

[@phillevin6651]

I ordered in January for late December delivery but have never received any notice that it’s going to be delayed….

[@craigriley9892]

I ordered the black dial and have been waiting for a quite a bit of time, and got pushed back. Every time i think about it, I have 2nd thoughts. I think about selling right when i get it. Then I see a picture or video and those thoughts diminish.

[@CasualWatchReviews]

I got to see a few at windup in NY this week, they are very special watches.

[@janihellberg6911]

Very much waiting for mine. It jas been hinted that CW might come out with more watches in the same eathos than Bel Canto. Would love to see a "conesseurs" line, witch idea would be bringing differend complication out.

[@gilbertchang2593]

I am anxiously waiting; I'm freaking out; I check the mail even though I know it's not coming. Help CW

[@blave549]

What is a "platine"? BTW the candor here is soooo refreshing. I'm already a CW fan and I won't get my watch until mid-next-year.

[@CasualWatchReviews]

Mike mentioned it in the much longer interview we did for the launch of the bel canto. Honestly I can’t find an exact definition but by the way he talks about it, I believe it’s the colored dial. I think it’s not referred to as a dial as it’s basically in the middle of the movement,

[@AndyAdventuring]

"...the good news is we are beginning to be in the next period to much more the speed we anticipated..." This does not exude confidence. What does that even mean? A lot of words in this interview to not say much at all. The Bel Canto is an extremely intriguing watch, but anyone putting a down payment on a pre-order for it is throwing their money away at this point. Treat your money better than that, and don't let people take it from you and not deliver.

[@jayv9619]

They took all that money and spent it on marketing for their 36mm Twelve, they just paid like 100 KZbinrs to upload a video yesterday on its release day, felt like I couldn’t get away from it lol

[@CasualWatchReviews]

Hey Jay, they don’t pay KZbinrs to review their watches. I should know, I review more of their watches than nearly every other KZbinr if you look. Not to mention, my review actually featured Mike the CEO of CW. I have never been paid or received a free watch.

[@garylevine4546]

Great company!

[@tods.9947]

Mine came earlier this week! It hadn’t really left my wrist.

[@frankfrank9711]

What color is it ?

[@jeremy.matula]

Although I still admire the Bel Canto and other watches CW are making at their respective price points, they really botched scaling production and customer communications. Citing high internal standards are all well and good, and kudos to them for making sure what they'll ship out meets those standards. However, I have a hard time believing they didn't see these production delays coming from a much, much longer time out than when they communicated it to customers. This is something you'd expect from a Kickstarter, not a legitimate watch company. I cancelled my order, but hopeful CW will take what happened as a learning experience to not overpromise and underdeliver. For people that do get them eventually, enjoy and wear in good health!

[@CasualWatchReviews]

I have spoken to Mike a number of times about this, I spent some time with him recently in New York. They are really working hard on the production of these and everyone will get theirs. But its also easier said for me as I'm not waiting on one.

[@kfkwAL7]

Now selling on the bay of e for less than retail in various options.

[@CasualWatchReviews]

Do you have a link. I was reading that back and thinking ‘that cant be right’. So just did a quick search on eBay, certainly in the US they are going for more than retail. Even the sold ones.

[@kfkwAL7]

@@CasualWatchReviews yes. EBay uk sold completed items. 2x neros for £2500, others less than £3k with bracelets. There was just a discount code for 10% off in all watches so a lot have been sold. You were picking one up for less than $3000.

[@CasualWatchReviews]

I think I still have my eBay UK login I will have a look. But certainly here in the US they are not selling under retail.

[@WilliamInternational]

“I’m not going to lie”, now thats a real eye opener. I can’t even watch the rest of this.

[@CasualWatchReviews]

You should!

[@jerrywarren2007]

Lot's of mumbo jumbo here. My watch is late and I have no confidence in the most recently shared time frame from them.

[@richt4472]

Will not buy one because of limited edition nonsense. Now if I want the blue one I gotta pay some scalper twice, or more, over retail.

[@CasualWatchReviews]

This is the case with any limited edition watch regardless of brand. I think the demand for this watch was clearly overwhelming at the time for them. They have done limited edition, highly complicated watches before and just did one run because of how they sold. They released two watches on their site a few months ago with their inhouse movement and you can still get one. They couldn't predict this watch selling better than any other limited edition watch they have ever made before.... how could they?

[@thegorn]

This is the only thing they stuffed up. The blue and green are by far the best colours but you just can’t get them now. They should have made some weird colour like purple the limited edition. They dun screwed up on colours.

[@CasualWatchReviews]

I actually don’t disagree with this. The blue was a great colour. But would you come out the gates swinging not knowing how it would sell. I think they made a judgement call to just start with the best right out the gate.

[@richt4472]

@@CasualWatchReviews Christopher Ward should have promoted it as something other than limited edition, such as limited release to test the waters. Also, for me at least, Christopher Ward still has an issue with branding. Take ithe name off of the dial but still put the name on the bracelet clasp! Should've just gone with the logo.

[@tritran304]

My order is delayed until March 2024.

[@dCotnijoeb]

We need a smaller version!

[@CasualWatchReviews]

I don't think it can be made smaller. The other watch this movement is in is even bigger, MeisterSinger Bell Hora

[@d.stiefel869]

Girls can still wear the standard version. They made a hell of enough of them.

[@ListerMotorsports]

Bel canto shipo

[@masterwatch]

this is super..

[@drnick40]

I ordered mine before the official release and was supposed to receive a delivery early August 2023. Received an email with a vague apology and a new delivery date of January 2024. What a shame. Apparently Christopher Ward lacks any vertical integration in their manufacturing and rely solely on subcontractors. This makes the brand’s integrity highly questionable. This is just a marketing house. A face without substance.

[@CasualWatchReviews]

Only one watch company that produces watches at scale is fully vertically integrated and that is Seiko. They do have manufacturing partners but so does nearly every other luxury Swiss brand. I’m not sure what your point here?

[@misufriendersts9467]

Unique work, including non delivering as promised...no need to do our research apparently

[@CasualWatchReviews]

They are still going to deliver them, CW are just taking extra time to make sure they are right.

[@misufriendersts9467]

@@CasualWatchReviews but people still paid...are they getting a discount for the wait?? Nope.

[@CasualWatchReviews]

Right, so you didn’t actually order one yourself? The people who did, are getting an amazing watch for the money, there is not that much margin for CW to offer a discount from my understanding. I don’t think it’s appropriate either. They are already offering a great watch for the money that you can’t find anywhere else.

[@misufriendersts9467]

@@CasualWatchReviews no I did not and I never will buy a watch from Christopher "Wart". Is funny that everyone is expecting a great watch but very few have ever seen one in person. That's what utube reviews can do....and the Warts know that is the best marketing for all the suckers out there. All hype.

[@CasualWatchReviews]

I have seen one in person and they are excellent honestly. I have a full review on the channel, I also know multiple people that own them and love them. If you’re interested just search on forums. People do own them and share reviews of them. You would have to stop using your feelings as the facts, however. Maybe give it a try.

[@ianbrown5924]

Sadly my experience with christopher ward has been absolutely shocking. My first purchase was the albania watch which was sold from under me by someone at christopher ward. I later purchased a green bel canto and was promised number 100, this has also not arrived and christopher ward have now stopped replying to my emails. This has left my no choice but to travel from the highlands to maidenhead to collect my watch. Not happy.

[@MT-kx2uc]

Their customer service is shocking. I had a few emails ignored. I imagine they are getting lots of questions coming in but that's no excuse to be ignored for 2 to 3 weeks.

[@d.stiefel869]

Mike France destroyed the Bel Canto. I was over the moon when I ordered the first model and then he allowed the company to bastardize it and create a ton of colors of the same thing. I was hoping I had something special, but then he took the exclusivity out of it and made it a bore. Shame on you for ruining something special Mike France. You took your original Bel Canto buyers and you crapped all over them.

[@russell996]

You thought they were only going to make 300? The product is amazing and you think they shouldn't sell more than the original limited edition of 300 pieces - why?

[@markwheeler4417]

@d.stiefl869: As an owner of the original Bel Canto I disagree with everything you say.

[@CasualWatchReviews]

I did the launch interview with Mike for the Bel Canto, even on the day of launch for the Blue he said they were going to make more colours. I released that interview before you could even order yours.

[@MT-kx2uc]

Rolex made millions of Subs and Datejusts. Both are still pretty good.

[@ayupmeducks7609]

Love the "Chicken watch" Best thing to happen in this century so far in the Micro Brand watch scene.

[@thegorn]

Pretty anorexic chicken.

[@CasualWatchReviews]

I think technically its a 'song bird' 😂

[@ayupmeducks7609]

@@CasualWatchReviews My son came in when i had it on screen and said oooh a chicken..... Sadly now all i see is the chicken and cant unsee it. I will Own one one day, just not in my budget at the moment