2022 Fears Brunswick 38 "Jubilee Edition" Royal Purple BS23800A
Ref: BS23800A
Specification
Lugs : 20mm
Condition : Pre-Owned
Box & Papers : Box & Papers
Case Material : Stainless Steel
Warranty : 12-Months Warranty
Points of Mention
This watch is sold with its original Fears wooden presentation box and paperwork. It comes paired with a 20mm Royal Purple strap and a stainless steel pin buckle, plus a Fears Pewter Grey leather strap. The watch is from May 2022 and is sold in worn but fair condition, as you can see. It comes with our 12-Months Warranty.
For more photos see here - https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1kutQwSuYWtXcun1EtfF6ah10xVZtID2d?usp=drive_link
4K YouTube video, skip to 6:37 - https://youtu.be/einXsHCMNDc
The Watch
Here we have a 2022 Fears Brunswick 38 "Jubilee Edition" Royal Purple BS23800A made in small batches. This particular piece was only made and sold during the 2022 Jubilee year. The inspiration for the case for this watch comes from a Fears watch originally made in 1924 and manufactured in Germany; its wonderfully curvaceous 38mm case is made from 316L stainless steel, and the finish and depth of polishing are quite exquisite and showcase the skill and attention to detail of the German manufacturers. A lug-to-lug length of 43mm and a case thickness of 11.5mm ensures a comfortable fit on your wrist. The watch features a traditional “onion” shaped crown made in Switzerland to facilitate daily winding. On the dial, numerals expertly applied by hand, capture and play with the light as you gently wind the crown to begin your day. A domed sapphire crystal sits above an incredible Royal Purple dial that perfectly replicates the historic colour of royalty. It was expertly made in Germany by one of the world’s best dial makers. As you rotate your wrist, the rich tones of the Royal Purple lacquer magically change from light to dark, something you must experience in person to appreciate. This striking dial is complemented by the concentric circle finishing on the sunken sub-seconds at 6 o’clock. The numerals are applied to the dial by hand, machined from brass and mirror polished before being coated in Rhodium to give them a brilliant shine. Inspired by the many different typefaces Fears has used throughout its history, they were designed especially for Fears by a horological typographer. It is truly a masterclass in dial manufacturing. Each set of hands is subtly skeletonised and mirror-polished before being coated in Rhodium to give them a brilliant shine. On the reverse, we have a special engraving celebrating The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, each piece with a unique serial number engraved; this number can identify the watch's history from its master database. Inside, we have a hand-wound ETA 7001, 17 jewels, and 18,000 beats per hour; first introduced in the 1970s, it quickly gained a reputation for being reliable; its slim design incorporates an Incabloc shock system, and each movement is serviced and hand-finished here in Britain, applying Côtes de Genève striping and Rhodium plating. Once reassembled and thoroughly tested, it receives its “Golden Pipette”, which is handmade and applied to the bridge; the watch comes paired with a 20mm handmade Royal Purple with platinum-coloured stitching lined with Alcantara dyed a deep shade of blue with a stainless steel pin buckle carries the final flourish of an engraving of the Fears pipette logo. Plus, there is a Fears Pewter Grey with dark grey stitching on the Barenia leather strap. This premium calfskin leather takes its name from the village of Barr in Alsace. It is used in saddles. Only a few craftsmen know the complex tanning process. The soft lining is made of soft Alcantara, which has been dyed in a deep shade of blue. This watch is sold with its original Fears bespoke wooden presentation box and paperwork.
Personal Note
The Brunswick "Jubilee" is one of the most striking Brunswicks made to date in my opinion, the Royal Purple stands out and demands attention, especially when paired with its Purple Fears strap, though don't be afraid to try a few different strap combinations, it is surprisingly versatile. This is one to see in person as it is nearly impossible to photograph, so book an appointment and come see it for yourself, but be warned, you'll likely take it home with you!
The Brand
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 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. During 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 it sadly closed its doors in 1976. It was not until 40 years later, in 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. Rolling with the success of the Redcliff in 2017, they released their second wristwatch, The Brunswick, named after Brunswick Square in Bristol.