Schofield Watch Company’s founder, designer and watchmaker, Giles Ellis, has always been inspired by Japanese culture and aesthetics, and has brought all of that passion to the fore in a new Bronze Beater timepiece launching this month.
The Bronze Beater B4 Japanese Edition takes the Asian nation’s mastery of simplicity and understatement and presents it in an industrial-looking patinated bronze watch with an indigo coloured lacquered dial that looks like dyed Boro, Japan’s equivalent of blue collar factory workers’ cloth.
Patination of the 44mm bronze case is a nod to Japan’s preference for the finish, which they consider the grease of life and tend not to remove it by polishing.
The case back is designed to look like a Tokyo drain cover decorated with ginkgo and cherry blossom and Daruma-San a traditional Japanese doll.
The character on his chest means good luck and these dolls are often given as gifts prior to a challenge or task, Mr Ellis explains.
The watch is worn on a Mudcloth strap, a tough canvas fixed with plant seeds and mud for six months to get to its rich colour.
“This is a watch built from my love of Japan, its people and their traditions. The attention to detail in their crafts is unmatched by any other culture,” Mr Ellis says.
Schofield has chosen the STP 1-11 automatic movement for the watch, which has 44 hour power reserve.
Limited to 29 watches worldwide, the Bronze Beater B4 Japanese Edition is selling for £3,280 in the UK or £2,733 (plus sales tax and shipping) in the rest of the world.
WATCHPRO Salon
Schofield is one of the star brands at this year’s WATCHPRO Salon, a showcase of prestige watchmakers and a chance for brands, retailers and press to meet collectors and enthusiasts in 5-star luxury.
The two-day event takes place from November 12 to 13 at The Londoner, a brand new 5-star hotel on London’s Leicester Square.
WATCHPRO Salon 2021 confirmed exhibitors:
ALLEMANO | BALL WATCH | BA1110D | BIANCHET | BONHAMS | BRITISH HOROLOGICAL INSTITUTE | CHARLES GIRARDIER | CHRISTOPHER WARD | CYRUS | CZAPEK | DELMA | DOXA | DUCKWORTH PRESTEX | GRAND SEIKO | IKEPOD | JUNGHANS | LAURENT FERRIER | MARATHON | MAURICE LACROIX | MECCHANICHE VELOCI | MICHEL HERBELIN | ORIS | PARMIGIANI FLEURIER | PEQUIGNET | PERRELET | RESERVOIR | QLOCKTWO | SCATOLA DEL TEMPO | SCHOFIELD | SIDEREUS | SINN | SPEAKE-MARIN | SWISS CAPSULE | SWISS KUBIK | THE SPLINED HUB | TRIBUS | VICTORINOX | VOUTILAINEN | WOLF | WILLIAM WOOD WATCHES | ZEITWINKEL
I’ve really liked Schofield since seeing them at Salon QP a few years ago. I’m surprised they aren’t a ‘bigger’, more well-known brand as they make some great watches. This new piece is beautiful.