The C60 Trident is Christopher Ward's dive watch, in production since 2009. Its trident-shaped seconds counterweight and dive case, which the brand acknowledges were influenced by the Rolex Submariner, give it a clear identity, and several generations have followed. For an owner, the questions are which version they have, which movement is inside, and whether the guarantee and the seals are still in order.
From the 2009 original to the Pro 600
Christopher Ward dates the original C60 Trident Automatic to 2009. It had 300 m water resistance, an aluminium bezel and the trident-shaped counterweight on the seconds hand. The brand acknowledges that the Rolex Submariner influenced the design.
The 2015 Pro 600 Mk II doubled the water resistance to 600 m and replaced the aluminium bezel with a ceramic one. Baton hour markers took the place of most of the circular markers, and the date moved to three o'clock. The 2019 Mk III, released for the collection's tenth anniversary, brought the sculpted Light-catcher case and a triangular hour hand.
The Pro name marks a family of versions, not one movement or rating. Early Pro Automatic handbooks specified either an ETA 2824-2 or a Sellita SW200-1, and the COSC 600 uses SH21. Read the reference on the caseback before you assume a movement or a depth rating.
Servicing the movement and the seals
Christopher Ward recommends a routine service every three to four years. Its five-year movement guarantee excludes accidental damage and straps or bracelets, and the brand says third-party servicing invalidates the movement guarantee. If the watch is still covered, get the guarantee terms in writing before you choose where to send it. Keep a copy of the terms with the watch's paperwork.
The brand publishes its own service targets: a quote within three to five working days, repair within eight weeks of quote payment, and up to twelve weeks where Switzerland is involved. Bookings use a six-digit order number. Those targets give you a fair yardstick when you compare factory turnaround with an independent's timeline. A target is a planning figure rather than a promise, so ask what could change it.
For a dive watch the seal check is the job that matters. Ask for a pressure test before and after the work, and make sure the gaskets are replaced whenever the case is opened. Ask the shop whether it can source the correct gaskets for your Pro 300 or Pro 600 reference, and note the replacements on the estimate.
Buying a pre-owned C60 Trident
Start with the version. A Pro 300 and a Pro 600 are different watches, and the movement should match the listing. The Pro 300 uses the Sellita SW200-1, the COSC 600 uses SH21, and some Pro 600 versions use an ETA 2824-2 or a Sellita SW200-1. The reference tells a specialist which parts and service plan apply. Ask for the reference from the caseback so the listing and the watch can be matched.
Check the bezel and the counterweight. Look for chips on the bezel, and check that the trident counterweight moves freely and is not bent. A replaced bezel or hand should be disclosed, because the bezel is one of the features that distinguishes the generations. A replaced counterweight should be recorded in the same way, because it is also part of the watch's identity.
Ask for the service record and the guarantee status. The five-year movement guarantee is invalidated by third-party servicing, so an unexplained third-party service changes what the watch is worth to you as well as what you can claim.
Care, bracelets and originality
A dive watch in salt water needs rinsing and drying. Check the crown and seals after any swim, and have the watch pressure tested after an impact or after the case has been opened. Rinsing after every swim is simple, and it keeps grit out of the bracelet links.
Straps and bracelets are excluded from the movement guarantee, so wear and damage to them is an owner's cost. A replacement bracelet should be listed as such on any future sale. Replace rubber straps when they harden, and check the bracelet's links and clasp before you buy. A bracelet that was replaced with a non-original piece should be noted in the listing.
Originality is about the dial, bezel and hands. A replacement dial or hand changes what the watch is, so ask for every replaced part to be recorded on the estimate and in the paperwork. A seller who can show that paperwork has made the watch easier to judge.
Owning a C60 Trident in salt water
The C60 Trident sees a lot of daily wear in the sea, on the bracelet and on the bezel. Keep a record of each pressure test and each gasket change, and note the version and movement on the paperwork so the next owner can match parts.
If the watch is used in salt water regularly, plan the service around the water exposure rather than the calendar alone. The brand's routine interval is a starting point, and a shop that knows the watch will be in the sea can suggest a schedule that fits how you use it.
Keep your own notes on how the watch performs. Record the rate against a known reference each month, and mention any change in the bezel action or the date setting at the next service. Those notes often make the difference when a shop has to track down an intermittent fault.
What to check on a Christopher Ward C60 Trident
- Experience with Sellita SW200 and SH21 movements in dive watches
- A pressure test before and after the work, with the result written down
- Confirmation of the version (Pro 300, Pro 600 or COSC 600) and its movement
- A clear view of how third-party work affects the movement guarantee
Common questions
When was the C60 Trident launched?
Christopher Ward dates the original C60 Trident to 2009. The collection has been built out from that original since then, with the Pro 600 Mk II in 2015 and the Mk III in 2019.
What movement is in a C60 Trident?
It depends on the version. The Pro 300 uses the Sellita SW200-1, the COSC 600 uses SH21, and some Pro 600 versions use an ETA 2824-2 or a Sellita SW200-1.
Does a third-party service affect the guarantee?
Christopher Ward says third-party servicing invalidates its five-year movement guarantee. Check the terms before you send the watch to an independent while the guarantee still applies.
How often does a C60 Trident need servicing?
Christopher Ward recommends a routine service every three to four years. A dive watch that has been in salt water or taken a knock should be checked sooner.
Find a Christopher Ward specialist
Christopher Ward C60 Trident owners use Christopher Ward specialists for servicing, authentication and restoration.
Little Watch Shop
Hyde Park, Houston, TX
Long-running watch store selling high-end timepieces, including Swiss watches, plus repair services.