Takeaways From British Watchmakers' Day 2025

Walking into Lindley Hall for British Watchmakers’ Day 2025, it quickly became clear that the British watchmaking scene is thriving like never before. From innovative microbrands to established names pushing boundaries, there’s an undeniable energy in the air. With a wave of fresh talent, new ideas, and a growing sense of community, British watchmaking is having a moment — and for enthusiasts, it’s the perfect time to be a part of it.

Watching CEOs mingle with the public and genuinely taking time to engage with the people who drive the success of their watches, and groups of friends, both new and old, excitedly showing off their latest purchases (plenty of Gimlet's) and soaking in the infectious energy of the event, it’s clear why we need more well-executed British watch events like this. These opportunities for enthusiasts to connect are invaluable, and British Watchmakers’ Day stands out as the best of them.

Look, I get it. British Watchmakers’ Day tickets are like gold dust. The general release unsurprisingly sold out the day it went live, and I’m sure more than a few of you reading this didn’t manage to secure tickets. For those of you in the latter camp, no doubt feeling the pangs of FOMO, I’ve got two bits of good news for you:

1. There’s always next year (at least, I certainly hope so).
2. Christopher Ward put on a show of their own that any observant passerby was welcome to enjoy.

If you happened to be near Lindley Hall (or perhaps anywhere near an Omega boutique…), you have caught a glimpse of the action without even entering the building. A certain Christopher Ward van was spotted making its rounds, proudly parading past Omega to promote the C1 Moonphase ‘Mission to Maidenhead’ — CW’s belated entry into the space race. Featuring its own hand-drawn astronaut (courtesy of Senior Designer Will Brackfield), this new Christopher Ward mascot puts a man on the moon for the Maidenhead-based brand, all without the explosion risks of something like a SpaceX Starship.

While we might usually expect such a cheeky gag from the minds at Studio Underd0g, it’s refreshing to see Christopher Ward getting in on the fun and poking a bit of humour at themselves — with this special edition as well as last year’s playful collaboration with horological rebel seconde/seconde/.

At last year’s inaugural BWD event, Richard Benc (CEO and Founder of Studio Underd0g) was serving pizza and smiles alongside Time+Tide’s Andrew McUtchen. This year, however, a more unlikely partnership emerged as Benc teamed up with Nicholas Bowman-Scargill, Owner of the historic Fears Watch Company, to create 200 cocktail-inspired collaborative watches. From aspiring pizza chef to mixologist in the span of a year, it seems there’s no challenge Benc isn’t willing — and able — to tackle.

Only six months ago, an unexpected collaboration with H. Moser & Cie. stirred up the enthusiast community, but the Studio Underd0g x Fears Gimlet proved far more accessible. With 200 pieces split evenly between the morning and afternoon sessions, at an extremely reasonable £1,000 price point, all 200 pieces were snapped up within an hour of the doors opening.

Thanks to a clever teaser video featuring Bowman-Scargill humorously underdressed in Benc’s trademark jumper and jeans, the collaboration created a buzz that could be felt the moment you stepped into Lindley Hall, and I’m sure I’m not the only one left wondering where this iconic duo will take things next.

What struck me most while walking around Lindley Hall was how British Watchmakers’ Day truly is an event for everyone. There was no pageantry or pretence, just people coming together out of pure love for horology. Every single person I had the pleasure of speaking to was approachable, courteous, and, most importantly, genuinely enthusiastic.

One of the real highlights for me was seeing so many women actively engaged in what is still, in many ways, a male-dominated community. From Katya Audsley, who works tirelessly alongside Alistair to ensure BWD’s success, to the many talented female representatives at the exhibitor stands, it became clear that the success of British Watchmakers' Day is driven by a diverse group of skilled individuals, each playing a key role in the event's success. Given that the event coincided with International Women’s Day, it feels especially important to recognise and celebrate their contributions, as it’s these vital partnerships that will shape the future of British watchmaking.

Us Brits might have a reputation for being a restrained bunch, but a few homegrown watch brands are proving that stepping outside the box pays off. It’d be a disservice not to give a special nod to those daring to be different — the ones pushing boundaries and standing out from the crowd.

One of the real highlights of the day was getting up close and personal with the creativity and passion that fuels these brands. Watching The Dial Artist, Chris Alexander, meticulously hand-paint the special edition BOKEN Breacher ahead of its auction was a real treat — the kind of live artistry you rarely get to witness. Over at Schofield, chatting straps with Giles Ellis was like catching up with an old friend who just happens to have an encyclopaedic knowledge of design and style. Arken’s Speakeasy project stood out for its sheer inventiveness and the story behind it, while Isotope’s stunning enamelled dials — brought to life with the artistry of designer Sophie Scott-Lewis — were a perfect example of British craftsmanship at its most expressive.

It wasn’t just the microbrands making waves. Bremont are clearly heading in a bold new direction and, love it or hate it, you can’t deny the passion behind it. That enthusiasm was palpable — every single Bremont representative I spoke to radiated a real belief in the brand’s vision, and it’s hard not to get swept up in that energy.

And that brings me neatly back to my original sentiment — there’s truly never been a better time to be a British watch enthusiast. With the industry buzzing with fresh talent and bold ideas, events like British Watchmakers’ Day become an absolute haven for both curious enthusiasts and serious collectors alike. All that’s left to say is: roll on next year — we’ll be first in line!