Introducing a Ladies Automatic by Christopher Ward
Belisama Automatic and Belisama Diamond Automatic Ladies Watches – A rare breed…
Written by: Shirley Lambert
We are back with one of our favourite brands with something different to offer, Christopher Ward introduces the new Belisama Range of Automatic Ladies Watches, Yes a first for the British based watchmaker, as with all their other watches we have a British design (well sort of – more Cartier like really) and Swiss made with Swiss movements.
Why Belisama I hear you all shout? Well the name is derived from the Celtic goddess for light and wisdom, and when we say light we mean sunlight and moonlight, fairly apt for a watch we think. In homage the watches are all adorned with high quality Wesselton Diamonds and the dial has an array of silver rays depicting the rays of light from the moon and sun. As the goddess Belisama was worshiped before, after and during the Roman Empire by the Gauls and Brits alike, the watch depicts bold striking roman numerals on the dial at 12, 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10, where there is no numeral we have a diamond indicating the 1, 3, 5, 7, 9 and 11 indices on the dial. One thing I would point out is that there is no date function on the dial.
The Christopher Ward Belisama Watches are very akin to the Cartier Tank and pay homage to an iconic design and brand, even down to the blue carbouchon stone decorating the crown and Galvanic Guilloche sun ray dial.
This is one of the few Ladies automatic watches available in the market and I’m sure one of the most affordable, starting at £599. The market for ladies mechanical automatic watches is growing, the myth that the fairer sex is only interested in looks and not concerned with what’s under the cover is just that a myth, In my humble opinion I see this as one of the fastest growing markets within the watch industry.
In the Words of Christopher Ward himself “Judging by the volume of requests I have received from women (and men, it should also be said!) for us to introduce a women’s automatic watch there is no doubt whatsoever that women are as fascinated by the workings of a fine mechanical watch in the same way as men. We would have introduced an automatic earlier but I was never happy that we had the right combination of design and movement but when we started working on the Belisama it was clear from the beginning that this was something special and would be the perfect way to launch our women’s automatic offer.”
The movement housed within the 26mm x 25.4mm polished case of the Christopher Ward Belisama Automatics is the ETA 2671-1 automatic which is one of the smallest automatic movements available today and is visible through the crystal exhibition case back.
The Belisama ladies watch is available in two individual models the W90 and W900, with both being made available in Stainless steel or 18ct Gold Plated cases, the difference between the two models is that the bezel on the W900 or to give it it’s full name W900 Belisama Diamond Automatic is encrusted with 30 Top Wesselton full cut diamonds.
Both models are available with either a stainless steel bracelet or Louisiana Alligator strap in either black or white. It goes without saying the Gold plated face does not have the option of the stainless steel bracelet as that would just look a little strange, even to me. We have been told the straps have been specifically designed for female wrists and all the strap options have a deployment clasp buckle as standard
In all there are 10 variations of the W90 and W900 Belisama Automatic watches and these are as follows
W90 Belisama Automatic with Stainless Steel Case and Bracelet – Ref: W90-SSS – Price £599.00
W90 Belisama Automatic with Stainless Steel Case and Black Alligator Strap – Ref: W90-SSKR – Price £699.00
W90 Belisama Automatic with Stainless Steel Case and White Alligator Strap – Ref: W90-SSWR – Price £699.00
W90 Belisama Automatic with 18ct Gold plated Case and Black Alligator Strap – Ref: W90-GSKR – Price £799.00
W90 Belisama Automatic with 18ct Gold plated Case and White Alligator Strap – Ref: W90-GSWR – Price £799.00
W900 Belisama Diamond Automatic with Stainless Steel Case and Bracelet – Ref: W900-SSS Price £1,050.00
W900 Belisama Diamond Automatic with Stainless Steel Case and Black Alligator Strap – Ref: W900-SSKR – Price £1,150.00
W900 Belisama Diamond Automatic with Stainless Steel Case and White Alligator Strap – Ref: W900-SSWR – Price £1,150.00
W900 Belisama Diamond Automatic with 18ct Gold plated Case and Black Alligator Strap – Ref: W900-GSKR – Price £1,250.00
W900 Belisama Diamond Automatic with 18ct Gold plated Case and White Alligator Strap – Ref: W900-GSWR – Price £1,250.00
You can see the entire range on the Christopher Ward Website here. The Belisama Ladies Automatic watch range is currently available for Pre Order with expected delivery to be Mid October.
We don’t usually do this but, just prior to publishing this article on the Christopher Ward Belisama Range we received a surprise email from Christopher Ward offering our readers a 20% discount across the entire ladies range including the Belisama by using the Code WOMEN20 but only until midnight Sunday 7th October 2012. Bringing the cost of owning a Belisama Automatic between £479.20 and £1,000.00.
If you are interested in the Christopher Ward Ladies Range you can find the entire collection at www.christopherward.co.uk
Christopher Ward Belisama Automatic – Technical Details
Self-winding automatic movement Calibre: ETA 2671-2 automatic
Power Reserve of 38 hours
Hand-finished 316L polished stainless steel case or 18ct Gold plated case
Belisama Diamond Automatic – Bezel inset with 30 Top Wesselton VVS1 diamonds
Case Size 36.0mm x 25.4mm, Height: 9.9mm
Crown with inset blue cabouchon stone
Anti-reflective sapphire crystal
Dial – Galvanic Silver sun-ray dial inset with 6 Top Wesselton VVS1 diamonds
Transparent exhibition crystal case-back with unique engraved serial number
18mm Premium grade Louisiana alligator strap or Stainless Steel bracelet with deployment clasp
