British is probably not the first name that comes to mind or you traditionally associate with in watchmaking. Switzerland has already filled that place. But this wasnât always the case.
British watchmakers were pioneers in the horology industry during the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries, competing fiercely with the European equivalents. But by the mid-20th century, Switzerland became the epicentre of watchmaking, leaving behind only the late George Daniels, who died in 2011, to ensure that the UK still had a role to play in the development of mechanical pieces.
After being in Switzerlandâs shadow for so long, British watchmakers are making their long overdue comeback, ranging from small-scale manufacturers to high-end independents. One of the most impressive things about British watchmaking is its diversity. From military-style tool watches to ultra-high-end timepieces and avant-garde complications, the UK is once again home to some of the industryâs stalwarts that cater to all tastes and budgets.
Here are ten British watch brands that any discerning collector should immediately pay attention to.
Top 10 British Watch Brands To Look For In 2025
1. Bremont
Nick and Giles English, two British brothers, started Bremont in 2022 with two goals in mind: to mark the return of watchmaking to the UK and pay tribute to their late father, a watch collector, pilot, and inherent tinkerer responsible for the brothers’ passion for aviation and horology. So, itâs easy to apprehend that Bremont watches channel the spirit of aviation, particularly military aviation, but in a stylish manner.
However, they also have a range of dive models and watches made for the British Armed Forces. They focus on functionality and capability and are now at the cutting edge with ISO and COSC-certified manufacture movements, making them formidable for any challenging situation.
2. Farer
Bringing together the simplicity of British design with Swiss mechanics, Farer was founded in 2015 by three horological lovers, Jono Holt, Ben Lewin and Paul Sweetenham, as an independent British watch company. Their goal is to create thoughtful designs that combine the past’s heritage and today’s modern aesthetics to deliver watches that add value to the already fruitful watch industry. Farer watches bring adventure, perfect for land, air or sea.
The brand crafts minimal and colourful timepieces suitable for anyone. It pays attention to textures, finishing, and all the tiny details that bring a watch to life. Farer is a top British micro-brand with over 40 models from more than a dozen collections, including sophisticated dress pieces and sporty dive watches.
3. Pinion
Oxfordshire-based Pinion was founded by professional British digital designer Piers Berry in 2013. One might wonder how Piers, with no background in watchmaking, established this UK Company. But this is what we call a great example of how someoneâs genuine passion for horology can result in a transition from an app designer to the maker of mechanical watches.
In 2023, Pinion marked its 10th anniversary and successfully established its unique place in British watchmaking. It produces small batches of timepieces that run on new-old-stock manual winding or modern automatic movements. Pinion watches are practical-looking, finely crafted, and cost as little as ÂŁ1000.
4. Roger Smith
While the brand is Roger Smith, much of its success can be credited to a gentleman named George Daniels. The story goes back to when Roger W Smith was 16. His fascination for mechanics led him to pursue a course at the local Manchester School of Horology, where George Daniels mentored him. Daniels taught him the art of hand-crafting watches and later invited Smith to move to the Isle of Man, where he created watches alongside him.
The Roger W. Smith studio was finally founded in 2001. Roger Smith watches feature engine-turned and hand-engraved dials with unique hands and traditional English horological decorations on the movements, equipped with the Daniels Co-Axial escapement. Due to their detailed craftsmanship, the Roger Smith studio produces only 12 watches every year, making them both highly priced and highly prized.
5. Fears
Bristol-based company Fears was founded in 1846 and is one of Britainâs oldest family-run watch companies. However, the company was forced to relocate during WWII when its premises were sadly destroyed. It continued producing watches until 1976 when it closed down its operation.
In 2016, Nicholas Bowman-Scargill, the great-great-great-grandson of Edwin Fear, relaunched Fears. Today, the company focuses on creating understated designs that remain timeless. It has transformed into a highly regarded brand, unveiling new designs with distinct charm. Fears watches are built in small numbers by a single watchmaker at a workshop in Norwich, with many parts sourced from family-owned businesses in the UK.
6. Mr Jones
âThink differently about your timeâ is what Mr Jones watches ask you to think. You’ll know what it means when you look at their unconventional designs. Youâll notice that most of Mr Jones’ watches lack the traditional architecture, including the hour and minute hands. Want people to get talking? This is the watch for you.
Founder Crispin Jones originally started as a graphic and Photoshop designer of sculptures. Due to his creative background, he ended up creating seven watches and sent them for an exhibition in 2005. He decided to retain the theme by combating the affluence of luxury watches. Finally, he created Mr Jones Watches in 2007, becoming a solo designer and eventually expanding. There are some watches that are less about telling time but more about reminding you of the value of time, and Mr Jones’ watches sit firmly in that category.
7. Vertex
Claude Lyons borrowed ÂŁ1000 from his father-in-law to start Vertex in 1912. The company specialises in making watches in Britain using Swiss-made movements. By 1915, Vertex was producing watches for the British Military in WWI and in 1916; they established their headquarters in London and Switzerland. By the 1920s, they started curating ladiesâ watches. In the 1960s, despite creating a range of dive watches, Vertex couldnât survive the 1972 Quartz Crisis and lay in dormancy for 43 years until Don Cochrane, great-grandson of Vertex founder, restructured the company.
Today, Vertex is focused on military-inspired timepieces and has a hot presence among British watch brands. The brand brings big British energy with its popular field watch aesthetic and is praised for its quality and attention to detail. Many Vertex watches are engineered to meet the requirements of the marine environment, with waterproof ratings of up to 100 metres.
8. Christopher Ward
Christopher Ward was introduced in 2004 with only one goal: to pair Swiss watchmaking’s accuracy with British design’s brilliance and creativity. And have they achieved it? Absolutely yes! Moreover, along the way, they have shattered the notion that quality timepieces can only be enjoyed at unreasonable prices. This brand is a fantastic example of making complications affordable. It was the first online-only watch brand selling entry-level luxury watches directly to consumers, a move unheard of at that time.
Christopher Ward watches are examples of high quality and great design. If your wrist needs a glow-up, youâll love the bright lume on its pieces. Thanks to models like The Twelve and Bel Canto, Christopher Ward is now riding the wave of success in the industry, picking up prestigious prizes.
9. Studio Underd0g
The brainchild of Richard Benc, Studio Underd0g was only recently founded in March 2020. When the world was shut down due to COVID-19 in 2020, Richard laid out his designs to the Facebook community and received overwhelming support for his vibrant timepiece. This led him to start âStudio Underd0gâ. Sure, this is a fresh company but a potential disruptor, if you will.
Studio Underd0g has a unique approach to watchmaking, and the fact that it doesnât take itself seriously at all creates anticipation and hype. One of the most popular designs by this brand is the pizza-inspired watch, which can only be bought in person from Richard. Many, especially Gen-Z consumers, consider this brand the best British watch brand due to its playful, quirky, and colourful dials. Overall, the watches are commercially limited but creatively exciting and available at affordable prices.
10. Garrick Watches
Garrick was founded by David Brailsford and Simon Michlmayr in 2014 in the pursuit of creating the finest British watches. Like many, Garrick aims to deliver the best quality watches and ensures this by producing only 50 watches annually, making it an exclusive British watch brand.
The watchmaker greatly emphasises the process of making the dial, hands, and many movement parts in-house in their Norfolk workshop. They also work with their customers to create custom dials, making each timepiece unique to the wearer.
Conclusion
Having seen it all, itâs safe to say that British watch brands are now firmly back on the map. While we appreciate the work of Swiss horology legends, sometimes you need to step back and appreciate the other worthy competitors out there.
Luckily, these British watchmakers donât cut corners. These top ten British watch brands have made their mark in the industry using top-quality materials, design aesthetics, and technical ingenuity. They are excellent UK options for expanding your portfolio.
If you already feel inspired and motivated by some British watches, join the ranks of true watch enthusiasts!
