British watch industry's pioneer, Christopher Ward's head honcho Mike France weighs in on the current surge in demand for British watches
British Watchmaking: A New Golden Era
The British watch industry is experiencing a renaissance, thanks in part to the success of independent brands like Christopher Ward and Studio Underd0g.
Established in 2004 by Mike France, Peter Ellis, and Chris Ward, Christopher Ward was founded with the ambitious goal of creating "the cheapest most expensive watches in the world." Over the past two decades, the brand has grown from a small disruptor to a major player in the watch industry. Their watches, known for their great ethos and innovative design, have built a global following.
Christopher Ward's success has had a ripple effect, helping to revitalize interest in British watchmaking and giving confidence to others to start or grow their own watchmaking ventures. Brands like Studio Underd0g, founded by Richard Benc, have benefitted from this collective momentum, with their unconventional designs, such as watermelons, salmon skin, and pizzas, gaining public interest.
Studio Underd0g's collaboration with H. Moser on a watch design based on a halved passion fruit is a testament to the growing acceptance and enthusiasm for British-designed and British-built watches. Richard Benc has also collaborated with H. Moser on two watches, and his designs have been a hit with fans, with queues forming as early as 6am to score one of the limited pieces available.
The launch of the gimlet watch, designed by Studio Underd0g and available only on British Watchmaker's Day, was the star of this year's event. The celebration included queues, a scrum at the Studio Underd0g stand, and an auction of an exclusive Roger Smith watch that sold for over £600,000.
The British watch industry is seeing a broader acceptance and enthusiasm for British-designed and British-built watches. Max Busser, a Swiss watch industry figure, purchased a Bel Canto watch from Christopher Ward, and Mike France, the brand's chief exec and co-founder, won the GPHG (Grand Prix d'Horlogerie de Genève) for Bel Canto last year.
The Alliance of British Watch and Clockmakers, led by Alistair Audley and Roger Smith, hosted a major celebration of British horology, further boosting the industry's profile and confidence. Bowman-Scargill believes the British watch industry is heading towards a new golden era, with collaboration being crucial in strengthening the industry as a whole.
Brands in the British watch industry should continue to refine their craft, tell authentic stories, and maintain high standards. By doing so, the industry's goal of being considered as equals alongside globally recognized watchmaking nations can be achieved. The future of British watchmaking looks bright, with many exciting collaborations and innovations on the horizon.
[1] Christopher Ward [3] Studio Underd0g [5] The Alliance of British Watch and Clockmakers
- Amidst the new golden era of British watchmaking, brands like Christopher Ward and Studio Underd0g are pushing boundaries in design, integrating technology into wearables, and using gadgets to captivate a global audience.
- The growing acceptance for British-designed and British-built watches extends beyond the industry, as evidenced by Max Busser's purchase of a Bel Canto watch from Christopher Ward, signifying the blurring lines between the British and globally recognized watchmaking nations.
