Christopher Ward and Steinhart are two popular watch brands known for their high-quality dive watches. In this article, we'll compare the Christopher Ward Trident Pro 600 and the Steinhart Ocean 1 Premium Black Ceramic to help you decide which one is the better fit for you. We'll cover everything from design and features to value and brand appeal.
Key Specifications
| Specification | Christopher Ward Trident Pro 600 | Steinhart Ocean 1 Premium Black Ceramic | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Case Diameter | 42mm | 42mm | Both offer a versatile wrist presence suitable for various wrist sizes |
| Case Material | Stainless Steel | Stainless Steel | Durable and classic material choice |
| Water Resistance | 600m | 300m | Christopher Ward offers exceptional depth rating, but Steinhart is still more than enough for recreational and most professional diving |
| Movement | Sellita SW200-1 (modified ETA 2824-2) | ETA 2824-2 | Both are reliable, Swiss-made automatic movements known for accuracy |
| Bezel | Unidirectional, 120-click Ceramic | Unidirectional, 120-click Ceramic | Ceramic provides scratch resistance and a premium aesthetic |
| Crystal | Sapphire with AR coating | Sapphire with AR coating and cyclops | Anti-reflective coating improves legibility, cyclops magnifies the date on the Steinhart |
| Lug Width | 22mm | 22mm | Standard lug width offers numerous strap customization options |
Explanation of Key Terms:
- Case Diameter: The width of the watch case, impacting how it looks and feels on your wrist.
- Case Material: The material the watch case is made from, affecting durability and aesthetics.
- Water Resistance: How deep the watch can be submerged without damage, crucial for divers.
- Movement: The 'engine' of the watch, Swiss automatic movements are known for their craftsmanship and accuracy.
- Bezel: The rotatable ring surrounding the watch face, used for dive timing. 120 clicks add precision.
- Crystal: The protective cover over the dial, sapphire offers excellent scratch resistance.
- Lug Width: The distance between the lugs (where the strap attaches), determining strap compatibility.
Detailed Comparison
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Case: The Christopher Ward's "light-catcher" case boasts intricate polished and brushed surfaces, offering a unique, modern aesthetic. The Steinhart takes a more classic approach, with a design heavily inspired by the iconic Rolex Submariner, offering timeless appeal. Point: Subjective, preference-based
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Caseback: The Steinhart wins with its sapphire caseback, allowing you to admire the decorated ETA movement within. Christopher Ward's stamped caseback, while well-executed, lacks this visual element. Point: Steinhart
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Crown: The Steinhart's crown design offers superior grip and smoother operation, tucked neatly within well-defined crown guards for added protection. The Christopher Ward's crown, while functional, protrudes more and lacks the same level of tactile refinement. Point: Steinhart
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Bezel: The Steinhart's bezel boasts a crisper, more satisfying action and easier grip due to its slightly pronounced edge. Both bezels offer a solid 120-click rotation, ensuring precision for timing purposes. Point: Steinhart
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Bezel Insert: The Christopher Ward stands out with its fully lumed ceramic bezel insert, a unique feature uncommon among dive watches. The Steinhart's ceramic insert is well-made but offers no lume. Point: Christopher Ward (for the unique feature)
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Crystal: Both watches feature sapphire crystals with AR coating for scratch resistance and clarity. However, the Steinhart's inclusion of a cyclops magnifier over the date window offers enhanced date visibility, a classic dive watch design element. Point: Steinhart (for both function and classic design)
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Dial: While both dials are well-executed, the Steinhart's adherence to the classic Submariner style gives it a timeless, widely-loved look. The Christopher Ward's dial, while attractive, has some elements (logo placement, large indices) that might be polarizing. Point: Steinhart (for broader appeal)
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Hands: Christopher Ward's distinctive, angular hands offer a refreshing departure from the typical Rolex-inspired designs, giving the Trident Pro 600 a unique character. Point: Christopher Ward
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Movement: Both movements are Swiss-made and known for their accuracy and reliability. The Steinhart's ETA 2824-2 boasts slightly superior finishing and the prestige of the ETA name, making it the preferred choice for movement enthusiasts. Point: Steinhart
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Bracelet: The Christopher Ward's bracelet excels in user-friendliness. Quick-release functionality makes strap changes a breeze, and the micro-adjustment clasp allows for a perfect fit on the fly. While Steinhart's bracelet is solid with screw links, it lacks these convenient features. Point: Christopher Ward
Bonus Considerations
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Water Resistance: While the Christopher Ward's 600m water resistance is impressive, it's likely overkill for the vast majority of users. The Steinhart's 300m is more than sufficient for recreational diving and even exceeds professional diving standards. This makes the additional water resistance of the Christopher Ward more of a bragging right than a practical advantage for most. Point: Christopher Ward (for the technical specs, but practically a draw)
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Brand: Christopher Ward, as an English brand, carries a certain prestige and emphasizes original designs. They've carved out their own niche in the watch world. Steinhart, while well-respected, is often seen as specializing in homage watches, which might be a positive or negative depending on the buyer's preferences. Point: Christopher Ward (if originality is valued)
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Value: The Steinhart Ocean 1 offers unbeatable value for the price. Even with typical Christopher Ward discounts, the Steinhart delivers comparable quality and features at a significantly lower price point. Point: Steinhart
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Resale Value: While this shouldn't be the primary focus, it's worth noting that Christopher Ward watches typically hold their value better in the pre-owned market, owing to their stronger brand recognition and unique designs. Point: Christopher Ward
Additional Considerations
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Warranty: Christopher Ward's extended 5-year warranty offers greater peace of mind compared to Steinhart's typical 2-year warranty. This could be a deciding factor for some buyers.
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Customization: Both watches offer some customization potential. The Christopher Ward has various dial colors and can be ordered on either a bracelet or different strap options. The Steinhart has a few different dial variants and the bracelet can be easily swapped for aftermarket straps due to the standard lug width.
The Final Verdict
Both the Christopher Ward Trident Pro 600 and the Steinhart Ocean 1 Premium Black Ceramic are excellent dive watches that offer impressive quality, features, and value for their respective price points. The best choice for you ultimately depends on your individual priorities and preferences.
Choose the Christopher Ward Trident Pro 600 if you:
- Desire a unique and modern design: The "light-catcher" case and distinctive hands set it apart from the crowd.
- Value user-friendliness: The quick-release bracelet and micro-adjustment clasp offer superior convenience.
- Want a well-known English brand: Christopher Ward has a strong reputation and growing following.
- Prioritize better resale value: Christopher Ward watches tend to hold their value better on the pre-owned market.
Choose the Steinhart Ocean 1 Premium Black Ceramic if you:
- Crave a classic dive watch aesthetic: The Submariner-inspired design is timeless and widely loved.
- Want the best value for money: The Steinhart delivers incredible quality and features at a lower price point.
- Appreciate a decorated movement: The sapphire caseback showcases the nicely finished ETA movement.
- Prefer the convenience of a cyclops: The magnified date window offers improved readability.
Ultimately, you can't go wrong with either choice! It's a matter of finding the watch that speaks to your style and fulfills your specific needs.
Additional Tips:
- Try them on if possible: The best way to decide is to see and feel the watches in person, if you have the opportunity.
- Consider used options: Both brands have active pre-owned markets, potentially offering even better value.
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