2021 Fears Redcliff "Streamline" Limited to 100
Ref: BS13810

Points of Mention

This watch is sold with its original Fears presentation box and paperwork. The watch comes paired on its original Fears strap with its signed buckle. The watch is from August 2021 and is sold in worn but fair condition as you can see, worn a handful of times at most. The watch comes with our 12-months Warranty.

The Watch

The year was 1846 and a young watchmaker named Edwin Fear established a workshop and showroom in his own name at 33-35 Redcliff Street in Bristol. The company ‘Edwin Fear’ that he created became more and more successful and eventually, in 1866 needed to expand to their second premises, on Bristol Bridge, which served as Fears headquarters until the 1940s. Through this period, the company had three different Managing Directors. Following the passing of Edwin in 1877 the business was handed down to his son, Amos Daniel Fear, who in 1908 saw the company become a limited company whilst also changing its operating name from ‘Edwin Fear’ to ’Fears Limited’.  Amos also safely navigated the company through the First World War, 1914-1918, after which he established an export department, called ‘Fears (Export) Limited’ at No. 14 Brunswick Square in Bristol. In late 1945, following the War, Fears moved to new premises in Clifton, Bristol, just in time to celebrate the company’s centenary in 1946 with a new watch collection. Fears continued to thrive through the post-war years, until sadly closing its doors in 1976.

It was not until 2016 when an aspiring young apprentice watchmaker at Rolex in London, Nicholas Bowman-Scargill, who is the great-great-great-grandson of Edwin Fear, re-launched his family’s company at the SalonQP watch show on 3rd November 2016. Keeping the name ‘Fears’ he released their first wristwatch in the twenty-first century, the Redcliff. 

The Fears Redcliff "Streamline" was launched in 2019 to celebrate 1000 days since the brand's relaunch in 2016. I remember meeting Nicholas Bowman-Scargill with James (kibblewatches.co.uk) at Salon QP 2016 when he launched the company and the watch. We could see from the outset the passion and attention to detail that Nicholas wished to establish for the family brand. This is the very last quartz watch to be made by Fears. Limited to just 100 pieces. The Swiss-made 38mm case is perfectly polished and brushed by Fears in the UK. The round case tapers at elegant sloping curved lugs. The crown is signed with the Fears Pippet. At just 8mm thick it will fit under any cuff. A flat sapphire crystal sits above a German-made galvanised dial called "forties silver". Made with 18ct Gold plating. As you rotate your wrist the vertical lines shimmer in the light. Its lustre absorbs the surrounding light in a magical way. The watch takes its design cues from their archives, 1946 Centenary range called the "Streamline". The font for the black outlined gilt numerals is the same as the original. Luminescent hands are complimented with a red centre second hand adding a nice pop of colour. Inside a Swiss Ronda 515. Fitted on a Belgium handmade 20mm Mink brown goat's leather strap, quick release for convenience. The buckle is signed with the Fears Pippet.  The watch comes with its Fears presentation box and papers.

Personal Note

The last Fears Quartz and limited to 100! I suspect you won't see another one of these for a fair while, so I'd suggest you snap it up if you've been in the market for one! The dial is mesmerising in direct light and will often have you looking at it.