HIGHLY COMMENDED
Loomes & Co can hardly be described as a breakthrough brand. The British watchmaker has been making its own watches in its Stamford workshop for over a decade (it was a retailer and repair shop for generations), and took the craft to a new level after discovering a cache of Smith movements in 2011 that it has been modifying and mounting into classic timepieces ever since.
Owner Robert Loomes is at heart a horologist and traditionalist, but the business has been modernising and taking on a more commercial posture recently that is well worth keeping an eye on.
The company is not likely to move into the high volume market, but that doesn’t mean it can’t make a greater impact with watches like this Stamford Original limited edition, made just 12 times in a yellow gold case and 12 times in white gold selling for around £48,500.
Every component of the Stamford’s movement was designed and made in Britain, including hairsprings and jewels.
