It is a century since Britain could call itself a serious watchmaking nation, but there are a growing tribe of watch businesses headquartered in this country that are determined to keep the flame alive.
The WatchPro Award for British Watch Brand of the Year is open to companies that are based here but manufacture abroad, making for a lively contest between the likes of Christopher Ward, which owns its own factory in Switzerland, and Bremont, which currently imports movements and other parts, but makes cases in the UK and assembles all its watches in this country.
Retailers voting in the category clearly favour the Bremont business model, perhaps because the company sells through authorised dealers, while Christopher Ward and many other British brands sell direct through their own boutiques and online.
Bremont romped home with 73% of the 133 votes cast in this category.
The Award was collected on the night by co-founder Nick English and national sales manager Rob Gough.
