Inside Christopher Ward with Senior VP Mike Pearson | Bel Canto, The Twelve, Loco & What’s Next | Ep.15

<p><strong>Wristwatch Weekly Episode 15</strong>, Peter and Chris are joined by <strong>Mike Pearson, Senior Vice President of Christopher Ward for North America and Global Retail</strong>, for a deep dive into the past, present and future of one of the most talked-about independent watch brands in the world.</p><p>We start with <strong>What’s On The Wrist</strong>, before going right back to Mike’s beginnings in watches, including the £20 X-Files watch that started it all, the pieces with the most sentimental value, and the moment he found himself talking watches with the legendary <strong>Gerald Genta</strong>.</p><p>Mike then takes us through his career in the watch industry, including his time with <strong>Zodiac</strong>, why he turned down opportunities with major Swiss brands, and what eventually convinced him to join Christopher Ward.</p><p>From there, we get properly into the brand.</p><p>We discuss the evolution of Christopher Ward from its early online days, why the <strong>Bel Canto</strong> changed everything, how <strong>The Twelve</strong> became one of the company’s most important watches, the development of the Twin Flags logo, and why the original <strong>SH21</strong> movement didn’t have the same impact when it first launched.</p><p>Mike also gives his view on:</p><ul><li>The line between inspiration, homage and derivative design</li><li>Why comparisons to Royal Oak, Nautilus and other integrated-bracelet watches don’t bother him</li><li>Whether Christopher Ward is still a microbrand</li><li>Whether being known as a “value brand” is becoming a limitation</li><li>Customer service, quality control and growing pains</li><li>Whether Christopher Ward could ever sell a <strong>£10,000 watch</strong></li><li>Why in-house movements aren’t always the answer</li><li>The new <strong>C63 Sealander Chronograph</strong></li><li>The upcoming <strong>C1 Loco Classic</strong></li><li>What makes a watch recognisably Christopher Ward</li><li>Whether the collection needs a stronger women’s offering</li><li>And where the brand goes next</li></ul><p>Mike also gives Peter and Chris some invaluable advice as they begin their own watch-brand journey: build the watch you believe in, know exactly why you made it, and don’t let every opinion pull the design in a different direction. EP15 TXT</p><p>We finish with some quick-fire questions, favourite watches, affordable picks, brands Mike thinks are doing great things, and a little Aston Villa chat.</p><p><strong>Wh