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Christopher Ward has been consistently doing great work lately, and today we’re pleased to review for you the C60 Trident GMT, model number C60-GMT-SOKKO. Let’s get started with the basic specs.
- Automatic, ETA 2893-2 with GMT hand. ย 42hour power reserve, 28,800 vph.
- Hacking, handwinding, quickset date, independantly settable GMT hand
- 42mm 316L stainless steel case, 42.9 at the bezel, 12.5mm thick and 50.2mm lug to lug. 110g on the included 22mm leather strap with deployant clasp.
- Unusually water resistant at 300m (1000ft), with a 4mm sapphire crystal
- Screw down crown and screwed case back
- Superluminova on hands and indices
- List price 458 UKP for non-EC, about $720
The C60 model is available in a bunch of configurations – different colored bezels, with or without bracelet. This version has a low-key orange color that nicely matches the stitches on the strap. Since it’s 300m-rated, I’d recommend considering the bracelet, as that can get wet and thus increases the versatility of the watch. Leather doesn’t last long if you soak it. That said, it’s a nice dress watch on the strap, very light and comfortable.
The C60 design is, as CW will tell you right on their site, based on the classic Rolex GMT design from the 1960s, when Pan-Am approached them to design a watch for their jet setting pilots. The C60 certainly has a strong flavor of the Rolex, but is clearly not a copy and add some design flair of its own. The use of modern materials makes this a wearable classic, as opposed to something you have to worry about all the time. With SuperLuminova, sapphire crystal and a tough ETA movement, this should be down for almost anything.
The fit and finish on the case is excellent, with smoothly finished lines and well-executed brushing. The bezel is beveled and slides easily under shirt cuffs. The 12.5mm height is quite slim given the 300m rating.
The crown is 7.4mm, signed and screwdown, with elegantly shaped guards around it. If you look closely you can see a bit of the wave texture on the dial, which adds understated visual appeal. The bezel is unidirectional, which I doubt is super useful for the intended use of tracking a third timezone.
The ETA 2893-2 movement is one of the best from ETA, used as a base for many more expensive watches. Omega modifies it for their Seamaster GMT, as do many others. The 24-hour hand is intended to be set to local time, while the regular hands track home time. It takes some getting used to.
The luminosity is excellent. No problem at all reading it at night, though the 24-hour hand vanishes, having only a small triangle of lume at the end.
The dial looks quite different as the incident lighting changes. Enjoying the play of light, shadow and reflection is one of the pleasures of a nice watch, and the C60 is strong here. There’s lots of detail to see, and it’s well made.
The date window is tucked into the space between four and five, though to pick nits I’d ask for a white-on-black wheel; the white background doesn’t match the dial.
Also check out the counterpoise on the second hand – it’s a trident, a nod to the ‘Trident’ in the model name. As I said, small details to appreciate.
For completeness, a shot of the case back, strap and double deployant clasp. They used curved ends on the strap, a nice bit of attention to detail that adds to the clean look of the watch. Even if you get the bracelet, it’s worth buying the strap as well for variation; it’s a nice change of pace and very comfortable.
Another winner from Christopher Ward!
3 comments
Bought the C60 Trident 8 months ago and subsequently sold it 3 months later. Although I liked the feel and presence of the watch, there was something missing. After selling it, I saw someone wearing one with the rubber strap and eureka it dawn on me. If you buy, get one on a rubber and you will not be disappointed. A lot of watch for the money.
Great review. Also read your review on the C11 on ablogtoread. Although very different watches, I’ve been trying to decide between the 2 for my next watch.
Between the C60 and C11, which do you feel is the better quality timepiece?ย
I can be fairly hard on watches. Which is more durable in your opinion?
Looks a little like an Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean to me