When I first looked at the C65 GMT, I loved the watch’s dimensions and case but wasn’t a huge fan of the dial styling. I don’t feel that watch needs faux aged lume. Shortly after I published that review, Christopher Ward released two new dial variants, but I still felt it was missing that wow factor.
Christopher Ward must have been reading my mind because the C65 Anthropocene was exactly what I wanted out of the C65 GMT line. The C65 Anthropocene is a limited edition and only 300 will be produced, but as of this writing they still seem to be readily available. Let’s see why the C65 Anthropocene was the version I’ve been waiting for.
White vs Black Dials
I’m not going to spend a ton of time on the comfort and case design of the C65 Anthropocene. If you’ve read any of my other Christopher Ward reviews, you’ll know I’m a fan of the lightcatcher case and it is one of my favorite case designs of the last few years. There’s more than just the case that makes the C65 Anthropocene so great on the wrist.
The most obvious changes from the original C65 GMT are the dial and handset. Christopher Ward inverted the color scheme and gave a bright pearlescent dial with black accents. This is about as legible as you can get in a watch, even more so than a black dial with bright white accents. The bright white dial allows it to be read in the dark, even when the lume isn’t glowing.
The white dial does make the C65 Anthropocene wear slightly larger than its black-dialed brothers. The dial feels more spaced out even though the dimensions are the same. However, it feels more balanced than the black-dial variants. The black logo text at 9 o’clock is balanced with the black date wheel at 3 o’clock. This black date wheel adds that little extra punch to the dial and wouldn’t look right if it were white.
On the Wrist
To date, the C65 Anthropocene is the most comfortable GMT I’ve worn. Christopher Ward has done a fantastic job creating a GMT that doesn’t feel like a GMT. There is almost no height added to the watch from the 3-hand watches it shares a similar case with. Combined with great proportions, it is fantastic for all-day wear. I wouldn’t mind seeing the lugs slimmed to 20mm to make the bracelet and straps feel and look a little lighter. The 41mm case could easily accommodate 20mm lugs.
The C65 Anthropocene is one of the few modern GMT watches that doesn’t allow you to easily track 3 time zones as there is no inner 24-hour scale on the dial. The bezel is the only 24-hour scale present. It is possible to track 3 time zones by constantly rotating the bezel if you remember what the GMT hand is set to, but I can’t recall a time I’ve ever wanted to track 3 time zones.
Despite sharing the same case and general design as the standard the C65 GMT, the C65 Anthropocene feels like a totally different watch. It was a strange phenomenon, but I enjoyed wearing this watch even more than the original C65 GMT. The white dial added a cool factor I didn’t realize was possible with the C65 GMT line.
Christopher Ward C65 GMT Anthropocene Video Review
What is an Anthropocene anyway?
By definition Anthropocene is relating to or denoting the current geological age, viewed as the period during which human activity has been the dominant influence on climate and the environment. Christopher Ward’s co-founder, Mike France, was inspired to create this colorway of the C65 GMT after seeing his daughter perform in an opera aptly named Anthropocene.
You may be wondering what has to do with a GMT. Christopher Ward is one of many watch manufacturers realizing that they need to also take a role in combating climate change. They’ve taken some steps like using recycled materials in their packaging and reducing the size of what their watches are shipped to customers in. Taking that into account, a GMT is the perfect type of watch to take on this theme. By its nature a GMT is already a tool of the world, tracking multiple time zones around the world. To this end, Christopher Ward is donating 5% of the sales from the C65 Anthropocene to an environmental charity.
Dial, Case, and Bracelet
Love it or hate it, Christopher Ward’s standard branding is present on the C65 Anthropocene. Their name is present at 9 o’clock and their twin flag logo is present at 12 o’clock. Because of the white dial, I found that the logo at 12 was more visible. The way it creates a subtle shadow gives it contrast against the white dial and makes it stand out more. On the black-dial variant, it is almost invisible.
The black and white elements of the dial are pleasantly interrupted by a splash of color with the orange GMT hand. It stands out just enough to be easily identifiable at a glance. With that said, I wondered what a blue GMT hand would have looked like. It may have fit better with the icy theme of the C65 Anthropocene. Either way, I don’t mind the orange accented hand whatsoever.
As I mentioned before, the C65 Anthropocene shares the same lightcatcher case present across much of Christopher Ward’s recent lineup. I’ve discussed it many times in other reviews but if you’re a newcomer, it is a wonderful case in every way. The multiple finishing techniques, cuts, and bevels allow the lightcatcher to look even thinner than it is and play with the light in pleasing ways.
Christopher Ward’s quick-release bracelet is offered on the C65 Anthropocene. The bracelet can be easily detached from the watch without tools and features a tool-less microadjust system inside the clasp. It is still one of the best on the market even though other manufacturers have followed suit with similar systems, but they’re not as good as Christopher Ward’s.
The Competition
Christopher Ward’s watches are always competitively priced, and the C65 Anthropocene is no exception. Coming in around $1300 on the bracelet, it is an affordable option in the GMT segment. However, GMTs are becoming more common with even more affordable options. Let’s look at some on either side of the C65’s price bracket.
Monta Atlas
While the Atlas is a few hundred dollars more than the C65 Anthropocene, it is the closest competitor in my mind. It wears like the C65 Anthropocene despite being a touch smaller. It features the same base movement (Monta modifies their movements) and has some similar features like a quick-adjust clasp. The Monta scores higher in finishing but the Christopher Ward isn’t far behind.
Longines Conquest GMT VHP
The Longines GMT VHP has been on my list of watches to check out and for good reason. The quartz-powered watch boasts some great technology, accuracy, and reliability that automatics can’t match. The Longines comes in around the same price as the C65 Anthropocene and is even offered in a similar dial color. For the constant traveler, the Longines may be the easier option when it comes to setting home and local times.
Zelos Horizons GMT
I reviewed the Zelos Horizons GMT last year and it was (and still is) my favorite affordable GMT. When Zelos launches new dial variants of the Horizons, there is usually a significant discount which brings them well under $1,000. It wears significantly smaller than the C65 Anthropocene despite not being much smaller dimensions-wise. I know a few people who own both the Horizons and one of the C65 GMT variants. Perhaps their affordability means you can have both.
Final Thoughts
I was happy to see Christopher Ward expand the C65 GMT line from the original black-dial variant and was happy again to see them do it with the C65 Anthropocene. I’m hopeful that this expansion of the line will continue. I would also like to see Christopher Ward bring a few elements from the more recent C65 GMT Worldtimer to the standard C65 GMT line like a screw-down crown and a bi-directional bezel.
The contrast of the dial, lack of faux aged lume, and modern appearance makes the C65 Anthropocene the clear winner in my mind. At some point, the 300 watches available will be sold out but maybe Christopher Ward will launch something similar to appease those who may miss out on it. If you’ve been wondering if Christopher Ward’s GMT watches are all they are cracked up to be, then don’t wait any longer. They are excellent and fly under the radar of most buyers. If I were to put my wallet down on one of the 4 C65 GMT options available from Christopher Ward, it would be the C65 Anthropocene.
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Christopher Ward C65 GMT Anthropocene Specs | |||
Case Width | 41mm | Thickness | 12mm |
Lug-to-Lug | 47.1mm | Lug Width | 22mm |
Crystal | Box Sapphire | Strap | Bracelet |
Water Resistance | 150m | Lume | Super-LumiNova |
Movement | Sellita SW330 | Price | $1,200 |
