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On The Clock: British Watch Brands To Know Now
Home-grown watches that tick all the boxes
By | 7 months ago
It’s not just Switzerland that has the monopoly on fine watch making. British watch brands have gone from strength to strength in recent years, from style-led accessible options to some of the finest horological innovations around. These fine British watches are the ones you want seen on your wrist.
The Best of British Style – Fashion, Beauty, Brands & More
The Best British Watch Brands
Struthers
Best for: Heritage Craftsmanship
This brand was founded in 2012 by husband-and-wife team Craig and Rebecca Struthers, who have been recognised for their work towards the preservation of the traditional art and science of watchmaking. Vastly skilled and experienced (Rebecca became the first watchmaker in British history to earn a PhD in horology in 2017), they make bespoke hand-crafted watches on commission, a process that takes 12-18 months.
Struthers The Kingsley Watch, from £48,000. strutherswatchmakers.co.uk
anOrdain
Best For: Waitlisted Designs
Based in Glasgow’s historic Templeton Building, anOrdain’s team of 15 designers and makers craft exquisite watches using Swiss-made movements and handmade enamel dials. As everything is assembled in house, production is limited so every anOrdain model carries a waiting list.
Elliot Brown
Best For: A Macho Timepiece
Designed in Dorset to be robust, durable and functional, Elliot Brown Watches has worked to create timepieces for the armed forces and groups within the security and intelligence fields. Every watch is rigorously tested, shock resistant, has total water protection, and is crafted from with weapons-grade materials.
William Wood Watches
Best For: The ‘Feel Good’ Factor
All William Wood Watches are made from upcycled firefighting materials sourced from around the UK, and a percentage of each sale is donated to The Fire Fighters Charity.
Bremont
Best For: Award-Winning British Luxury
Since it was founded by brothers Nick and Giles English back in 2002, Bremont has come on leaps and bounds, spearheading the return of British watchmaking to these shores. Its timepieces are designed and made in its state-of-art HQ in Henley.
Bamford London
Best For: Eye-Catching Colours & Accessible Price Points
British watchmaker Bamford was founded in 2004 by George Bamford, and initially became famous for customising Rolex watches. The brand has since grown to offer its own line of watches, although customisation is still a popular service.
Christopher Ward
Best For: British Design & Swiss Quality
Christopher Ward shows its passion for watchmaking in everything it does, from overseeing every step of the process of creating a timepiece to pushing the boat out with new designs.
Robert Loomes
Best For: Watches With History
Robert Loomes can date its watchmaking history back to the 1650s, where Thomas Loomes ran London’s largest firm of clock and watchmakers. Now designed and manufactured in Stamford, each watch is made by a small team of skilled craftspeople.
Roger W Smith
Best For: Limited Edition Designs
This British independent watchmaker specialises in hand-crafted designs in limited edition collections, made in Smith’s studio on the Isle of Man.
Farer
Best For: A Spirit Of Adventure
Part of a new generation of British watchmakers, Farer was launched in 2015 with the goal to create watches that could stand the test of time. Built for every adventure – whether land, sea or air – these are watches to take everywhere.
Marloe
Best For: Thoughtful Design
Marloe takes its time when it comes to crafting the perfect mechanical watch – and the results are well worth waiting for. Think classic, traditional designs at accessible price points.
Vertex
Best For: Premium British Design
Although Swiss-made, Vertex watches are completely British in design. The watchmaker was founded in 1916 by Claude Lyons, and went on to produce watches for the British Military in WW1 and WW2. Today, Vertex brings its rich heritage to new designs.
Main image: Bremont H1 group watches
