A Brief History of the Farer Brand
Farer first came to my attention in 2017, two years after this UK-based company was launched. Heralded as a luxury, British watch brand utilising Swiss-made parts and movements, were they just another microbrand (alongside the likes of Marloe, Christopher Ward, Bremont, and Pinion, who are all pretty much geographically located neighbours to one another)?
I've always shown an interest in Microbrands, especially for those heralding from the UK, so stumbling along the Farer website, it was interesting to see what they could offer that was a new alternative to the ever-growing choices in the watch world. Initially, though, I was somewhat skeptically put off by their new vibrant designs; lots of colors - something quite new; and although not initially for me personally, they were a novel change and a brand that was at least trying, and still is, to be different and original in a genre that is saturated with lazily designed clones and homages: Farer were certainly not in the latter camp and showed promise for longevity.
Farer Stanhope II - Credit WatchGecko
Enter the Stanhope Mk I
Despite not personally falling for any of their earlier models (and to be fair, Farer's RRPs were outside of my own budget), the brand slowly started to capitalize on their success, adding more models to their ever-growing collection and a now solid and established fan base, globally. In 2018 the first Stanhope (hand-wound/cushion case) was born: 37mm, 8.5mm deep - a svelte dress watch that was a more downbeat/modest (colour wise) affair than its more vibrantly loud brethren - this, like all of their models, sold out and the production run successfully ceased; the Stanhope Mk1 was no more.
Farer Stanhope II - Credit WatchGecko
The Stanhope resurrection
Fast forward to the Spring of 2022, and teasers were starting to populate social media with a hint that another small-seconds hand-wound model was going to be re-born imminently, and soon after, the Stanhope II was to be incoming.
To coincide with its launch in April of that year, Farer showcased its model line-up at the San Francisco leg of the Worn & Wound showcase event, with the brand's CEO, Paul Sweetenham, describing the new MkII as: "bat ear (lugs), cushion case, barrel sided." The II is slightly larger than its an earlier sibling, at 38.5 mm wide, 10.5 thick, 44mm lug-to-lug, has slightly broader hands than its predecessor, and replaces the Mk1's ETA hand-wound movement with the Sellita SW216 (Elabore grade), with 45 hours power reserve. The three-part case is all polished, with only the circumference of the exhibition case back showing a brushed finish. The crown is signed with the Farer logo and their trademark bronze cap.
Farer Stanhope II - Credit WatchGecko
The multi-level dial is a simple yet very effective offering: 12, 3, and 9 Arabic hour markers are applied to a mesmerizing, off-white pique dial, as is each hour marking, in a rectangular, polished, and angled dark blue button, the surface of which glimmers and glints at different angles - as does the small, applied Farer arrowhead logo below the 12-hour marking - a lovely touch.
Blue Superluminova is applied to the stick-like hour and minute hands with additional lume in the form of microdots added adjacent to each hour marking inside the sunken moat of the dark blue chapter-ring. The small seconds hand is a bold red contrasted nicely within it's recessed, circular blue background, and red is again seen marking each second around the dial circumference's 'railway track'.
Exhibited through the sapphire case back is the Swiss-made, hand-wound Sellita movement and its decorated bridge showing off intersecting Farer logos engraved thereon; this is subtly clever, so much so that I didn't notice this lovely addition for a while until it pointed out to me.
Farer Stanhope II - Credit WatchGecko
The watch overall is stunning, feels weighty (but not heavy) for what it is, and its overall slim appearance and size look great as both a sporty and dress model that would look equally smart peeking out from under a suit cuff or with a t-shirt and jeans. The watch is offered with a vast selection of thick and excellently made quality straps, with quick-release spring bars, all of which are designed to adjoin almost butted up to the watch head with minimal lug gap, creating an almost seamless integration - this is a good look and, to me, along with the bronze cap, is one of their quirky USPs.
The Stanhope II's First Batch
The Stanhope II's first batch sold out within days, which was no surprise considering Farer's renowned quality and slick, captivating marketing campaigns across social media; testimony too to Farer's success in building up a large and loyal fanbase who are always eagerly awaiting the brand's next release. Due to the success of the Stanhope II, the same case was adopted for three other hand-wound models and, more recently, alongside the release of their first moon phase models.
Farer Stanhope II - Credit WatchGecko
Farer's other nicety is never to offer discounts or run any sales campaigns. They feel that all of their models are reasonably priced and will sell at the RRP - and that they do, with many models selling out rapidly with loyal fans demanding when the next production run is due. Leaving others disappointed that they've missed the boat and scouring the used marketplaces for pre-owned examples at often inflated prices. Small production runs are cool; this means the models are relatively rare, and they hold their values (keeping brand reputation intact simultaneously).
Clearly, much thought has gone into Stanhope's design, and Farer should feel very proud of this 'update' along with all of their other models: classy, different, solid, great value, original ... and colourfully fun.
So, where does this watch fit in to my, or others' collections and why did I buy it?
Farer Stanhope II - Credit WatchGecko
Well, for me, as highlighted earlier, it's, for starters, eye-catching different; it's produced in a limited run (you won't see many of these on others' wrists); you and fellow watch enthusiasts will be pleased to notice something that the high street doesn't have to offer; it's smart (the crisp and clean white, textured dial oozes quality); as a cushion case design it's unusual and gives off a vintage vibe; being Swiss made it will be reliable; it's a strap-monster, and by buying one of these, you'll be supporting a quality UK microbrand.
For a retail price of just short of £900, it's certainly not cheap, and for similar money, you could consider similarly priced pieces from the likes of other Swiss brands like Tissot, Longines, Hamilton, and Certina, but for all of the aforementioned reasons, the Stanhope II stood out a mile for me. Farer may not (yet) be a household name, even within the ever-increasing watch world, but as far as quality microbrands go, their watches are a fitting alternative to mass-produced offerings from the bigger names in town, and with an impressive 5-year warranty too, that's an excellent, all-round package.
Farer Stanhope II - Credit WatchGecko
There is rumour of more cushion-cases to follow in the Autumn of '23, and for sure these will be welcomed by fans and new customers alike.
