2022 Fears Brunswick 38mm Champagne Dial Open Back
Ref: BS23800A
Specification
Lugs : 20mm
Condition : Pre-Owned
Box & Papers : Box & Papers
Case Material : Stainless Steel
Warranty : 12-Months NON-Waterproof Warranty
Points of Mention
This watch is sold with its original Fears bespoke wooden presentation box and paperwork. It comes paired with its original Fears strap and signed buckle. The watch is from July 2022 and is sold in worn but great condition, as you can see. The watch comes with our 12-Months NON-Waterproof Warranty.
For more photos see here - https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1OupM2ZjC8BY0b84cd8qrpeGd7VfnteSx?usp=drive_link
4K YouTube video, skip to 7:18 - https://youtu.be/QmWDZT8yY9s
The Watch
Here we have a 2022 Fears Brunswick Champagne Dial Open Back. Each piece is made in small batches, and a unique serial number is engraved between the lugs at 12 o’clock, this number can identify the watch's history from its master database. The inspiration for this watch case comes from a Fears watch originally made in 1924. Its wonderfully curvaceous 38mm case is made in Germany from 316L stainless steel, the finish and depth of polishing are exquisite and showcase the German manufacturers' skill and attention to detail. The lug-to-lug length of 43mm and a case thickness of 11.5mm ensures a comfortable cushion fit on your wrist. The watch features a traditional “onion” crown made in Switzerland to facilitate daily winding. A domed sapphire crystal AR coated on both sides sits above an incredible gold dial with a glass bead finish in layers of 18ct yellow gold, expertly made in Germany by one of the world’s best dial makers. As you rotate your wrist, the frosted texture magically sparkles, 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; the Black Gold alloy is black in appearance. As you rotate your wrist, the numerals move from silver to brown-black. Inspired by the many different typefaces Fears has used throughout its history, they were designed especially for Fears by a horological typographer. Truly a masterclass in dial manufacture. Each set of hands is subtly skeletonised out of steel and mirror polished before being thermally blued by flame. This traditional method of thermally hardening the steel results in a blue unique to each Brunswick, transforming it from black to electric blue as light catches it. On the reverse, an exhibition case back showcasing the hand-wound ETA 7001, 17 jewels, 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. Fitted on a 20 mm handmade Pewter Grey with dark grey stitching Barenia leather strap, this premium calfskin leather takes its name from the village of Barr in Alsace. Used in saddles, a few craftsmen only know the complex tanning process. The soft lining is made of soft Alcantara, which has been dyed in a deep shade of blue. The accompanying stainless steel pin buckle carries the final flourish of an engraving of the Fears pipette logo. The Brunswick Champagne is presented in a bespoke wooden box, crafted in Britain from English Ash, which is stained Fears Blue. Lined in genuine cream suede, the watch sits proudly on a special cushion.
Personal Note
This configuration was one that collectors had been waiting for and Fears not only delivered, they smashed it out of the park! This "Champagne" dial has an incredible texture and tone close to a bright yellow gold, it works beautifully with the Brunswick case and this example features an exhibition case back, only adding to the overall package. I would not hesitate to add this wonderful watch to your collection today!
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” that he created became more and more successful, and eventually, in 1866, he needed to expand to its 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, 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.