Christopher Ward Diamond Encore

I ordered a watch on Sunday for my dad & it arrived on the following Wednesday. He is thrilled with it & feels the quality is equivelant or better than other watches which cost significantly more if purchased on the high street. I have now ordered one for myself & would highly recommend to others.

Christopher Ward were for a while the hidden gem (no pun intended) in the sale of quality watches. Great choice and great value without compromising quality.

Regrettably, as they have grown so have they taken on board the great British retailing disease of indifferent customer service.

Case in point - if you are going to offer a watch as a special gift for someone at Christmas at least have the courtesy to tell said customer that it is out of stock and won't be available. When customer enquires and then complains about lack of feedback do not then firstly avoid the issue and then state facts about when it will be next available - that is bolting the stable door after the horse has bolted. As a retailer you offer a discount on an alternative product in the range for the inconvenience caused - or you should at any rate!

In summary - they are well worth a look but see customer service as a bonus not an expectation. As the pricing of other more recognised brands comes down in 2009/2010 it may be worth comparing like for like more closely.

Hopefully they will also get their act together on customer service as once bitten is twice shy.

Christopher Ward Diamond Encore - I bought a Limited Edition Aviator automatic last year. The presentation box alone was worth the price I paid. I've been really pleased with the watch, and the service has been excellent. When my watch was running a little too fast, they offered to take it back to adjust it, but suggested that any watchmaker would be able to complete the job straight away. Sure enough, they were right.

Excellent product, superlative presentation, excellent service... all for less than you'd pay for an 'off the peg' Seiko chronograph or similar. Top marks!

I found the after sales care to be disappointing. I have sent numerous emails regarding the issue. I have not received a reply to any of them yet. In summary, the watch is fab, but there are many fab watches out there. If I am willing to pay over £200 for a watch, I expect some kind of service.

Christopher Ward watches are a brand in waiting - sooner than later, everyone will be noticing them.

Christopher Ward London's Diamond Encore women's watch is ripe for discovery by those who know the very best craftsmanship when they see it, but don't want to pay the earth.

It's a very luxurious watch for its price (just £450), and has 64 full cut conflict-free diamonds (nearly 1 carat) set in a hand polished case. It has a Swiss movement, and I don't think that there is anything like it, at this price, on the market today. The watch comes with a 5-year guarantee, in a beautiful box, with serial number and a personally hand-signed letter from Christopher Ward himself.

Christopher Ward Watches can be found online only at www.christopherward.co.uk and I would thoroughly recommend them.

I only came across the site via Google but now think I have unearthed one of the hidden gems in UK retail. The quality of the watch I bought (A Malvern Automatic) is only matched by the fastidious attention to me, the customer! I heartily recommend everyone to have a look.