The C5 Malvern Automatic MkIII is a understated beauty to behold especially in the bright sun. As the Steel White dial attracts rays down upon its dial a magnificent fizzy fiery dazzle of explosion bursts out in magnificent specs of colors. Blues, greens, purples, yellows, the... Read More

                                The C5 Malvern Automatic MkIII is a understated beauty to behold especially in the bright sun.  As the Steel White dial attracts rays down upon its dial a magnificent fizzy fiery dazzle of explosion bursts out in magnificent specs of colors.  Blues, greens, purples, yellows, the paint used on this Dial is superb with colorful brilliance only seen from direct bursts of sunlight.  Its a magnificent thing to see in such a great priced watch and makes owning this elegant time piece even more pleasurable. 

For the beginning watch enthusiast, this movement, the Sellita, is a must and can be appreciated as much as a ultra luxury in-house movement can be to an avid aficionado of horology.   Buy this with the luxurious Cordovan leather which reeks of truly exquisite taste that comes on a bader buckle and you will be in automatic customized big bang for your buck heaven!                            

I first found this watch almost a year ago when I first started collecting, but wasn't ready to drop up to $650 on a watch just yet. But as I researched more about watches I kept coming back to this one. So I finally pulled the trigger and have zero regrets. Typically I get... Read More

                                I first found this watch almost a year ago when I first started collecting, but wasn't ready to drop up to $650 on a watch just yet.  But as I researched more about watches I kept coming back to this one.  So I finally pulled the trigger and have zero regrets.

Typically I get annoyed by fancy packaging.  But with watches I may have to make an exception.  I lifted the flap on the shipping box and was already greeted by CW telling me to enjoy my new watch.  Inside the shipping box was a carrying container that was magnetically sealed.  And inside this case was a very impressive (and large) watch box.  I felt like I got premium, luxury showmanship for a fraction of the cost.

And the watch is just gorgeous.  I have the blue version with the leather strap and the sunburst effect on the dial is incredible.  The channels running through and in front of the silver markers give it a unique style while maintaining a simple, but elegant look.  And as stunning as the front of the watch is I'd be remiss if I did not mention the back.  The movement is almost as much of a pleasure to stare at as the dial.  The engraved rotor makes it hard to remember this is not an in-house movement.  And when I started collecting watches I swore I would never be a "movement snob."   But after seeing the smoothness of the Sellita SW200-1 next to my Orient and Seiko's I can't wait to see the movements in action beyond the entry-level.  The strap is also very impressive.  It's soft, feels very comfortable and the twin-flags stamped on the back of the leather really shows off CWs deft attention to the details.  I do wish the holes were bit more spaced out though.  My wrist is just under 7 inches and I'm on the second to last hole.  I've compared the strap to a couple of my others and the CW's holes have less space between and don't reach as far up the strap.  It's still very comfortable, but the smaller strap may have been a better option for me.

Couple minor gripes I have to mention (no watch is perfect after all).  The logo is rather dull compared to the old one.  In researching the brand I came across some YouTube videos of their older watches (The Urban Gentry's Dive watch comparisons are must watch for anyone looking into a CW) and the logo with the large "C" had a lot more style.  I get CW is trying to modernize the brand (and I do prefer the twin-flag pattern as a logo) but a boring font written in white just doesn't pop the way an applied logo would with a more stylized font.  Also the curved shape of the case leaves the crown somewhat exposed.  For a dress watch this is likely not an issue, but since it's not flush with the case I do worry a bit more about it's security, though admittedly that's probably just my rookie ignorance showing as a watch collector.  And one complaint I've seen in other reviews is the lack of applied markers at every hour.  This really hasn't bothered me as unless you're really, really looking it's not readily apparent which ones are applied and which ones are not.

I was also impressed with the service I received after I bought my watch.  I used a 10% off coupon I found online, but a day or two after I placed the order I got my first newsletter with a $125 off coupon.  Because I also ordered a second strap my order qualified for this.  I contacted Customer Support and asked to have the difference credited to my account and they were happy to do it.  

I live in the Midwestern US and chose free-shipping at checkout.  Delivery took about a week and a half and the estimate was 1 to 2 weeks.  As a US customer I did not have to pay VAT, or Import Taxes from US customs. 

This is currently the favorite in my collection.  I look forward to adding more CW's to my watch box as they are a tremendous value for the money.                             

I had to write to say how delighted I am with my new C5 Malvern Auto, which arrived today. I love the fully polished case, rounded bezel and curved lugs. The dial is stunning with its gently sloping edges and the clever separation of the inner and outer segments, subtle and... Read More

                                I had to write to say how delighted I am with my new C5 Malvern Auto, which arrived today.  I love the fully polished case, rounded bezel and curved lugs.  The dial is stunning with its gently sloping edges and the clever separation of the inner and outer segments, subtle and very upmarket.  And the hour and minute hands curve beautifully as they reach out to the very edges of the dial adding to the overall feeling of quality.  Even the rounded shape and the deep knurling of the crown is nicely thought out and perfectly executed.  There is so much more that I could say, but rest assured, my Omega Seamaster and my Longines Evidenza are going to have to fight very hard for wrist time!