We’re now only a day out from British Watchmakers’ Day – the second annual celebration of collaboration and support within the watchmaking community, organized by the not-for-profit Alliance of British Watch and Clock Makers.
2024 saw close to 1,300 people from different backgrounds attend, and tickets for this year’s have long sold out, demonstrating the broad appeal of British watchmaking.
Last year, more than 40 British watch and clock brands showcased their special-edition timepieces, each only available to buy on the day of the show – no preorders, no online sales. Now, Lindley Hall will play host to an additional 4 brands and 26 exclusive special editions.
Taking an early look at the headline acts, WatchPro curated some of our favorites for a very British editorial in the March issue, and you can read the full lineup of British Watchmakers’ Day limited-edition watches here.
British Watchmakers’ Day special editions
Fears Brunswick 38
The Fears Brunswick 40.5 Jump Hour ‘Edwardian Edition’ features a sterling silver case, a diamond-set crown and white lacquer dial inspired by Edwardian-era pocket watches. It will be sold exclusively at the event on 8 March and a portion of profits will be donated to the Alliance of British Watch and Clock Makers.
10 pieces, £2,458 / $2,662, fearswatches.com
Brooklands Watch Company Triple-Four Limited Edition
Inspired by legendary British designer Sir Terence Conran and his love for aerospace and racing car design, Brooklands’ Triple-Four watch features an exhibition back that reveals an intricate rotor that represents the Napier Lion Triple-Four aircraft engine.
£5,754 / $6,230, brooklandswatches.com
Golby Watches The Coastal
For its debut at BWD, Golby Watches will release a special edition of The Coastal. This 36mm dive watch features a navy oil-pressed dial, custom lighthouse hands, and Miyota 905S movement. The timepiece offers 200m water resistance and comes with a stainless-steel bracelet and complimentary navy strap.
25 pieces, £359 / approx. $389, golbywatches.co.uk
Fears x Studio Underd0g The Gimlet
Already receiving a lot of press attention, the 38mm cushion-shaped watch features a lime green gradient dial made up of seven layers of custom-made Super-LumiNova with floating numerals and indices. Powered by a Sellita SW210-1 movement, it combines Fears’ elegance with Studio Underd0g’s playfulness and comes with a Swift Calfskin strap.
200 pieces, £1,000 / $1,080, golbywatches.co.uk
Backes & Strauss Regency
The world’s oldest diamond company presents the Regent 4047 John Bull at this year’s British Watchmakers’. Celebrating its exceptional precious stone artistry, its patriotic Union Jack dial is embellished with 525 diamonds, rubies and sapphires totalling 3.29cts, each set within a stainless steel case with a black PVD finish.
£20,000, backesandstrauss.com
Elliot Brown Holton Auto GMT: XXV/X
The Holton Auto GMT: XXV/X features a ‘Lake Yard Blue’ dial, ‘Postbox Red’ accents, and a brushed steel case and bracelet. The 43mm watch houses a Seiko NH34 automatic GMT movement with a 40-hour power reserve, combining rugged functionality with a more refined appearance
10 pieces, £950 / $1,030, elliotbrownwatches.com
Helicon Master 62 Dive Watch Ultramarine MbE
A collaboration with the legendary British fashion icon Timothy Everest, Helicon’s Master 62 is inspired by a 1962 prototype diver’s watch found in the archives of a long-lost Swiss watchmaker. Each individually numbered piece features a 3D image of a pearl diver on its case back and is powered by a Seiko self-winding mechanical movement with 42 hours of power.
50 pieces, £399, heliconwatches.com
Zero West M1 Mosquito
Housing a piece of history in every timepiece, the Zero West M1 Mosquito features precision wire-cut discs of steel from the Rolls Royce Merlin engine crankshaft of Mosquito HX909- a rare find considering the wooden construction of the iconic British fighter-bomber. Vintage-inspired brass-colored hands indicate the time, powered by the Sellita SW200-1 ‘top premium grade’ movement.
£3,600 / $3,750, zerowest.watch