British Watchmakers’ Day has become a celebration of the industry and cornerstone event for horology enthusiasts and industry insiders alike.
This year’s gathering on the 8th of March was particularly noteworthy, featuring 44 British-based watch brands and unveiling nearly 30 exclusive limited-edition timepieces, each reflecting the rich heritage and innovative spirit of British watchmaking. Apparently people started queuing at 5am so be first to purchase their preferred limited-edition timepiece only available on the day. People came from all parts of Great Britain. Next to me in the queue were two people who’d travelled from opposite ends of the country; Portsmouth and Leeds.
The participating brands were:
Accurist, Adley, Alkin, Anoma, Arken, Apiar, Backes & Strauss, Bamford, Beaucroft, Bremont, Brooklands, Bōken, BVOR, Christopher Ward, Clemence, Duckworth Prestex, Edward Christopher, Elliot Brown, Farer, Fears, FWM, Geckota, Golby Watches, Great British Watch Company, Harold Pinchbeck, Helicon, Isotope, MHD, Mr Jones Watches, Marloe, Monro, Nomadic, Omologato, Olivier Meylan, Pinion, Pompeak, Roger W Smith, Schofield, Sidereus, Sinclair Harding, Studio Underd0g, Vertex, William Wood, Zero West.
The event underscores the diversity and ingenuity within the UK’s watchmaking community. From established names to emerging micro-brands, exhibitors presented a spectrum of designs and technical prowess.
Exclusive Limited Editions In The Spotlight
British Watchmakers’ Day unveiled several special-edition watches, available exclusively at the event. This year’s lineup was as follows:
- Pinion Neutron Purple Dial Special Edition: Limited to 30 pieces, this 38mm stainless steel watch captivated attendees with its modern dial design, featuring applied numerals and a central rosette pattern.
- Marloe Morar 310 “A Decade In Time”: Celebrating Marloe Watch Co.’s 10th anniversary, this 42mm watch drew inspiration from the Swedish and Isle of Skye flags, reflected in its blue and yellow color scheme.
- Beaucroft Penfold Limited Edition: In collaboration with Bristol-based artist Penfold, Beaucroft introduced a vibrant 39.5mm watch powered by a Miyota 9039 automatic movement.
- Christopher Ward C1 Moonphase “Mission to Maidenhead”: This 37mm watch showcased an aventurine dial adorned with a Union Jack and a lumed moon featuring a miniature astronaut.
- Duckworth Prestex No.2: Drawing inspiration from the brand’s 1948 Bolton Automatic, this 39mm cushion-cased watch featured a white dial with blue and red Roman numerals.
- Schofield B6 Editions: Schofield presented three variations of its 44mm bronze-cased B6 model: Deep Blue, Shallow Green, and a “Sea-Change” edition in collaboration with artist Benjamin Guffee.
- Farer Aurora 36mm: This understated 36mm watch featured a copper guilloché dial with black numerals and hands.
- Mr Jones Watches Khaosify Mechanical: Featuring artwork by Mister Phil, this colorful watch transitioned from quartz to a Sellita SW200-1 automatic movement for the event.
- The Gimlet by Fears and Studio Underd0g: A collaboration between Fears and Studio Underd0g, the Gimlet combined understated elegance with playful design (below).
Tickets for British Watchmakers’ Day sold out quickly with both club members of the Alliance of British Watch and Clock Makers and the general public securing their spots early, underscoring the event’s growing prominence in the horological calendar. It was encouraging to hear from several brand owners that they were looking to take on apprentice watchmakers and repairers.
British Watchmakers’ Day 2025 not only celebrated the current achievements of the UK’s watchmaking industry but also set the stage for future innovations. The event highlighted the importance of supporting local craftsmanship and fostering collaborations that push the boundaries of design and functionality. As British watchmakers continue to blend tradition with modernity, enthusiasts eagerly await the next chapter in this evolving narrative.
Speaking to one of the event organisers, he said it was like a music artist producing their second album and whether it would be as good as the first! All I can say is that the second version of British Watchmaker’s Day was an even bigger hit than the first.
On leaving I met a guy who’d just arrived from Brussels via the Eurostar, so it just shows the reach of an event of this importance. Long may it continue.