Monthly Archives: July 2017

Want to start a (British) Watch Brand ?

The White dial Diver

Many people dream of starting their own business and I guess if you are reading this blog you might of even dreamt of starting a watch company. Whenever I meet people that have made the commitment I am always hugely impressed and slightly jealous of the the obvious satisfaction of what they are doing.

The first obstacle that comes up is “I wouldn’t know where to start!”

Well now thanks to Ross Davis of Hamtun watches this is no longer an excuse. On the Hamtun website he has posted a the process on his blog. The first episode is entitled “how to get funded on Kickstarter” published in July 16th. This has now been followed by a second post “Designing and Prototyping a watch”.

Here are the links. I hope this will give some of you the inspiration to take the leap.

https://hamtun.co/blogs/news/how-to-get-funded-on-kickstarter

https://hamtun.co/blogs/news/designing-and-prototyping-a-watch

Breaking Fears News

This week I was feeling pretty chuffed, Nicholas Bowman-Scargill e-mailed me with news of the latest announcement from Fears.  I had to keep this news to myself, which disappointed my son who is a Fears fan.

….and here it is

The “Pebble”

Commenting on the launch of the new colour, Managing Director Nicholas Bowman-Scargill says, “Building on the success of the initial two dial and five strap colours, the time felt right to introduce an additional elegant colour to the range. We took months to perfect both tone and finish, and the result is a watch that is perfectly understated. Clean and minimal, “Pebble” Grey is the Fears take on the classic silver dial, ideally suited for the modern man and woman.”

Colour aside this latest model is technically the same as the original white and blue watches.  A 38mm steel case using a Swiss Ronda quartz movement.

I must say it is great to see Fears confidently growing their range. I look forward to discussing the first year of the brand with Nicholas soon.

Schofield + Cudd

My family will tell you that I pass too much time deciding which strap to use with which watch. My desire for variety has been served well over the last few years by a steady supply of NATO’s in various hues. My favourite however remaining the plain grey.

Since starting this blog I have discovered there are quiet a few people out there sharing this need for variety and distinction. People such as Carl Evans of GasGasBones I wrote about in my last post. It would appear someone has now taken this “interest” to a new higher level.

That man is Simon Cudd. Some of you will know of Simon from his beautiful photos, especially those of watches. Some months ago Simon posted some pictures of a strap for his Schofield watch made out of an old pair of Converse basketball shoes.

Schofield + Cudd Converse Strap credit: Schofield

Very cool indeed. But the story does not stop there. A new venture has just been announced specialising in unusual straps – Schofield + Cudd.   As you will see  from the website https://www.schofieldandcudd.com/ the straps are very bold. But then Schofield watches are not really for shy people.

If you cannot find a strap amongst the numerous on offer, Schofield + Cudd also offer a bespoke service. Take along a piece of your treasured material, an old leather jacket or bag and they will turn it into a unique strap for you,

Then if this is not enough they have also taken another look at an often ignored element of the look of a watch – the buckle. Look at these….

Coloured Buckles !

I just need them to branch out into making straps for other brands.

GasGasBones “Scramble”

By all accounts Carl Evans the man behind GasGasBones is one of the characters of the British watch world. I have not met him personally but I almost feel I know him through his social media posts and the forum on his website.

His company which has grown from making bespoke nylon straps over ten years ago to now supplying straps to brands such as Bremont and to offering his own range of watches – 6B.

The first 6B MKI came out in 2013 as a limited edition of twenty. This was followed by a further fifty MK2’s.

The latest watch which has prompted this post is the MK3 or “Scramble”

6B – MK3 “Scramble”

I think you will agree that Carl has come up with a very handsome looking watch.  I am impressed that at 37mm the case follows the move away from large watches. This  316L steel case houses an ETA 7750 automatic chronograph  movement.

I hope one day to actually meet Carl. In the meantime I suggest you visit his website.

http://www.gasgasbones.com/

 

 

Just to remind you I am still here

I am conscious that I have been a bit slack on the posting front of late. My only excuse is that sometimes real life takes over. It is not as though there is nothing to write about.

Any way to get me back into posting I thought you might like to see this article in a manufacturing magazine about Bremont reviving manufacturing capacity and skills.

https://www.themanufacturer.com/articles/bremont-flying-the-flag-for-british-watch-manufacturing/

I will now start to write a proper article.