Description
At its foundation, the C3 Morgan Chronograph is based upon the Mk III edition of Christopher Ward’s first quartz watch, 2005’s C3 Malvern Chronograph. (Malvern, by sheer coincidence – fate, perhaps – being the place where Morgan’s factory has been based for over 100 years.) Although it displayed a number of dress watch flourishes, the original C3’s design was profoundly inspired by the dashboards of classic British sportscars; while that automotive influence has permeated into a large number of releases ever since, in the case of the new C3 Morgan Chronograph, it sits proudly and centre alongside Morgan’s iconic logo.
While any CW enthusiast will recognise the distinctively brushed and polished case of our Malvern dress line, that is almost entirely the extent that they’d know this is a CW. Replacing Christopher Ward’s logo on the C3’s vintage silver-white dial, Morgan’s distinctive ‘wings’ instantly convey the history of a business founded by H.F.S. Morgan in 1909, while on its backplate, the very same pattern has been deeply engraved. In fact, the only few mentions of Christopher Ward’s involvement in this watch can be found on the backplate and crown, the latter being where our twin-flags emblem has too been engraved – an acknowledgement of the British design and Swiss expertise involved in the C3’s manufacture.
Essential for any motorsport-influenced watch, a tachymeter runs around the outside of the C3 Morgan’s dial, while large Arabic numerals are a nod to dashboards found in elegant sportscars like the Morgan 4/4 and Roadster. Two lateral bi-compax sub-dials are adorned with an azzuré finish that will provide life and light to the dial, while a date window is neatly situated at 6 o’clock. The overall appearance reflects the charming personality and expertise involved in the many cars lovingly hand-built in Malvern for over a century.
Precision drive
A car is only as magnificent as the engine inside it, and in the case of the C3 Morgan Chronograph, a Swiss-made Ronda 5021.D movement confidently provides the high-end levels of accuracy and precision synonymous with Morgan’s output. Incorporating small second, 1/10th and 30-minute counters, in addition to add and split functions, the 5021.D’s gold-plated exterior and 10 jewels will help reduce friction and maintain reliability over extended periods of time.
Another useful feature is its power saving mechanism: the 5021.D has the potential to last up to 54 month from its date of production if its power saving mode is employed. This is achieved by pulling the crown out when the watch is not in use, improving energy consumption by up to 70%. The result: a watch that be picked up at a moment’s notice and immediately thrust into a high-octane environment. It’s ready when you are.
Technical
Diameter: 39mm
Height: 10.8mm
Weight: 46g
Calibre: Ronda 5021.D
Case: 316L stainless steel
Water resistance: 3 ATM (30 metres)
Timing tolerance: -10/+20 secs per month
Dial colour: White
Lug to lug: 45.8mm
Features
Swiss made
Quartz chronograph movement
Add & Split-time functions
Small second, 1/10th and 30-minute counters
Date window
Stainless steel case with brushed and polished facets
Push-down crown with twin flag motif, two pushers to operate subdials
Anti-reflective double curve top sapphire crystal
Domed Opalin white finish dial with printed Morgan wings and azzuré subdial finish
Applied Arabic numerals and dot markers
Tachymeter
Brushed, polished and curved hour, minute and central second hands
Snap case back with unique Morgan wings engraving and serial number
Strap: 20mm