HIGHLY COMMENDED
Given that Fears can trace its heritage back 170 years, the British business revived by Nicholas Bowman-Scargill, the original founder’s great-great-great-grandson, is right to go in the direction of more traditional watchmaking.
The £1,750 Brunswick picks up shapes and silhouettes emerging in British design in the 1920s and 30s and is directly inspired by a sterling silver Fears watch dating from 1924.
The watch is not just designed in Britain, the cushion case, enamel dial, and hands have been engineered and produced entirely in this country.
The 38mm steel Brunswick was exhibited for the first time this year, but will be produced in relatively small runs for delivery early next year, the company says.
Good things are worth waiting for, and patience will be rewarded with a watch housing an ETA 7001 manual winding mechanical movement that can be seen through a crystal case back.
Customers can even specify the style and colour of the alligator leather strap, but it is hard to see a better option than the black version shown here.
