Timepiece honours city’s greatest watchmaker

Sep 6 2007 by Paula Owens, Liverpool Daily Post

A WATCHMAKER from Liverpool yesterday presented the city’s World Museum with the first example of his new wrist watch.

Christopher Ward, 47, was inspired to create his C1 Russell watch by the designs of 19th- century pocket-watch maker Thomas Russell, who was also from Liverpool.

Before developing the C1 Russell, Mr Ward worked on the restoration of a 100-year-old Thomas Russell pocket-watch.

He told the Daily Post: “I used the restored watch as inspiration for the design of my new one. For years I have admired the work of Thomas Russell – for both the traditional designs and fine craftsmanship.”

Mr Ward, who grew up in Liverpool city centre and Prescot, decided to donate his first C1 Russell to the museum to mark Russell’s and his own connections with the city.

He said: “Basically, I’m a contemporary Liverpool watchmaker paying homage to one of the city’s finest ever.

“Nowhere seemed more appropriate as a home for this watch than Liverpool’s World Museum, with its impressive time and space gallery. And, if I end up making a name for myself in watchmaking, they may dig my C1 Russell out of the vault and exhibit it in 100 years time.”

The watch, with a brown leather strap and 18 carat gold case, is also water resistant for up to 50 metres.

Mr Ward presented the watch to the director of World Museum Liverpool, John Millard, at 11am (precisely) yesterday.

Mr Millard said: “It’s always a pleasure to receive a gift. We are delighted to welcome this watch into our collection.

“It is a testament to what our former watchmakers produced.

“Until the 19th century, Liverpool, St Helens and Lancashire were at the centre of the clock-making world. Time pieces were very important to the maritime industry for ocean navigation purposes.

“Eventually, manufacturers in the USA started mass producing watches and our craftsmen couldn’t keep up with that.”

After a successful business career, Mr Ward, who now lives in Berkshire, returned to his interest in watchmaking around four years ago.

He said: “I spend around 70% of my working time fiddling with watches and the rest on other aspects of the business.

“My designs are traditional but the watches also incorporate modern features without too many fussy knobs or dials.

“I want to create top specification watches while trying to keep the prices reasonable. I don’t think luxury watches should only be available to those who can afford the £2,000 prices tags.”

FOR more information on Christopher Ward’s watches, visit www.christopherward.co.uk

paulaowens@dailypost.co.uk