Skip to main content

Christopher Ward expands the Twelve collection with a 38mm watch

Christopher Ward's new 38mm watch

Christopher Ward The Twelve 38mm
Christopher Ward The Twelve 38mm Christopher Ward / Christopher Ward

In 2023, Christopher Ward rolled out a watch that changed the game. Everyone was looking for a watch with a sports-like aesthetic from the ‘70s, so Christopher Ward filled the market gap with the Twelve. It had a retro-like design, the brainchild of one of the greatest designers of all times, Gérald Genta.

But here’s the thing—the watch was available in only two sizes: 36 mm and 40 mm. While those two sizes garnered a lot of popularity, enthusiasts and fans asked for more.

Recommended Videos

Christopher Ward took the feedback and worked on another version, a 38 mm watch with different dials. The brand shared a post that provided more insight into the demand. It’s a screenshot of a message that reads, “38 mm is perfect.” Just like watches from previous generations, this new timepiece has a stylish bezel with interesting geometrical cuts.

Every detail was preserved, from the grainy dial to the high-quality polishes. The only feature that changed was the size. This new watch has the same aesthetic as Patek Philippe Nautilus and Audemars Piguet Royal Oak but is offered at an affordable price tag that won’t break the bank.

Christopher Ward The Twelve 38mm
Christopher Ward The Twelve 38mm Christopher Ward / Christopher Ward

It was rolled out in four different colors—midnight sun, nordic blue, glacier blue, and white.

Since steel bracelets are quite popular in retro watches, the brand opted for that look. But the 36 mm option can also be paired with a rubber strap. The steel bracelet version is priced at $1330, while the strap variant of the watch retails at $1,100.

Nathan S.R
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Nathan has devoted his life to collecting watches, studying horology, reviewing watches, and writing about timepieces. As a…
Topics
Zenith’s summer dream watch ends epic Surfer collaboration
Zenith and Time+Tide complete surfer trilogy with white ceramic masterpiece
Skyline skeleton surfer ceramic blue background

Zenith and Time+Tide have completed their celebrated "Surfer Trilogy" with the release of the Defy Skyline Skeleton White Surfer Ceramic, marking the third and final collaboration between the Swiss manufacturer and the Australian watch media company.
The 100-piece limited edition follows the success of previous collaborations: the micro-blasted titanium Defy Classic Skeleton Night Surfer in 2021 and the Defy Skyline Skeleton Night Surfer El Primero in 2023. Both earlier releases sold out quickly, establishing this partnership as one of the watch industry's most successful ongoing collaborations.
The new White Surfer Ceramic maintains the signature blue gradient openworked dial concept that appears across all three editions while introducing a fresh summer aesthetic. The 41mm white ceramic case offers scratch resistance and ultra-light comfort, making it suitable for beach activities with 10 ATM water resistance.
"With this third chapter in our collaboration, we're not just continuing a story, we're elevating it," said Benoît de Clerck, CEO of Zenith. "Each edition has deepened our creative dialogue, and this new release is the boldest expression yet of what we can achieve together."
The timepiece features a gradient blue dial that transitions from darker blue at the top to light blue at the bottom. The bridges adopt Zenith's five-pointed star design filled with Super-LumiNova, a feature previously seen only in the original Night Surfer model.
Powering the watch is the skeletonized automatic El Primero 3620 SK caliber, rendered in matching blue tones. The high-frequency movement beats at 5Hz and offers approximately 55 hours of power reserve. Its 1/10th second hand is driven directly from the escapement, maintaining Zenith's chronograph heritage.
"There's a huge risk in trying for a trilogy when the first two collabs have been so popular," noted Andrew McUtchen, founder of Time+Tide. "But when we saw the prototype of an 'inverted' Night Surfer, in brushed white ceramic, we just had to make it happen."
The watch includes both an integrated white ceramic bracelet and a white patterned rubber strap. Zenith's quick strap-change mechanism allows tool-free switching between options, enhancing versatility for different activities.
The Defy Skyline Skeleton White Surfer Ceramic represents a significant departure from the darker titanium finishes of previous collaborations, embracing a lighter, summer-focused aesthetic while maintaining the technical excellence that defined the series.
The limited edition will be available through Time+Tide, authorized Zenith retailers worldwide, and Zenith's physical and online boutiques. Given the rapid sellout history of previous Surfer editions, collectors are expected to act quickly when the watch becomes available.
With this release, Zenith and Time+Tide conclude what has become one of the most successful ongoing collaborations in contemporary watchmaking, spanning four years and three distinct timepieces that redefined collaborative watch design.

Read more
How to spot a true limited edition watch (and avoid overpriced hype)
The truth about limited edition watches: How brands fake exclusivity
A row of four luxury watches.

‘Limited edition’ is a term long linked with exclusivity, prestige, and rarity – in the realm of luxury timepieces, this typically comes with hefty price tags. But what if it references only the term and is merely the illusion of exclusivity? No two brands are the same, and the same applies to two limited editions. While some are actually scarce, many others are simply marketing tools used to build up hype and create an artificial demand for the item. Watch enthusiasts understand the intricacies in order to avoid purchasing exclusivity that does not exist. It is important to know thy luxury, plus when and why limited editions aren’t always rare. 

Playing the numbers game

Read more
Lancia and Eberhard unveil a bold new HF watch celebrating racing heritage
Lancia and Eberhard & Co. launch HF luxury watch honoring iconic racing legacy
The 'High Fidelity' timepiece up close

Bringing together the finest in Italian design and Swiss watchmaking mastery, Lancia and Eberhard & Co. have teamed up to create the Lancia HF ('High Fidelity') luxury watch — a striking timepiece that revels in the brand’s iconic motorsport history. The collaboration marks another milestone in Lancia’s resurgence, merging cutting-edge technology with timeless racing heritage.

Released at Lancia Design Day, the HF timepiece epitomizes the fearless spirit of the brand’s legendary High Fidelity (HF) performance badge, a symbol of speed and innovation. Eberhard & Co., a Swiss watchmaker revered since 1887, has masterfully crafted a chronograph reflecting Lancia’s dynamic aesthetic while upholding the highest standards of precision engineering.

Read more