ince its founding in 2020, one of the stated aims of the Alliance of British Watch and Clock Makers has been to forge new working partnerships between its 77 trade members across the British Isles (read our dedicated article here). Fears and Christopher Ward have now got together to help realise that aim with the Alliance’s first collaboration watch, which will also raise money for the Alliance to fund its efforts in supporting and promoting British watch and clock making around the world.

Founding Chairman, Roger Smith says; “This exciting ‘Fears Christopher Ward: Alliance 01’ watch will hopefully pave the way to future collaborations between our trade members. What’s particularly gratifying is that this watch has achieved such a well considered balance between the design ethos and approaches of these British brands.”

This successful balance of design and function is at the heart of the resulting watch which is powered by CW’s famed JJ01 jumping-hour calibre movement housed within an entirely bespoke 40.5mm case developed by Fears. The watch is further distinguished by a set of special Alliance Hallmarks which are discreetly engraved on the underside of the lugs to commemorate this historic collaboration.

Meanwhile, Fears’ (4th) Managing Director, Nicholas Bowman-Scargill, has long been an admirer of Christopher Ward: “It’s such an innovative company,” he says. “Before I restarted my family’s watch company, it was an inspiration to me. In terms of movement modules and Calibre SH21, they’re leading the watch industry. I’m honoured and delighted to be collaborating with them.”

For Alliance CEO, Alistair Audsley, this collaboration is tangible proof of how this trade body aims to foster cooperation between watch brands in the British Isles; “For me, the creation of this watch encapsulates the collective spirit that defines the British horological sector. I can’t thank Mike and Nicholas enough for their generosity in donating all the proceeds of the watch to the Alliance. It’s a huge boost to help us do our job for the sector. The watch itself is, by any measure, absolutely stunning but I also hope its buyers will get added satisfaction from knowing it is supporting a worthy cause.”

Would-be buyers should note that the watch is extremely limited, however. “We’re making just 50 of these models,” says Mike France, co-founder and CEO of Christopher Ward. “And they’ll only be available to Club members of Alliance on a first-come, first-served basis when it is launched - just one more reason why watch-lovers should join this fantastic organisation!” The ‘Fears Christopher Ward : Alliance 01’ is available to Club Members to order from Friday 27 January.

Nicholas Bowman-Scargill says: “The watch is dressy but not super-formal – and has the attention-to-detail Fears is famous for. It’s been overseen by Mike France and me to carefully bring together both companies’ DNA. What’s been particularly fascinating for me is how CW’s designers managed to interpret our Fears design language. It’s unmistakably a Fears watch but it isn’t like any Fears you’ve seen so far.”

Mike France is equally enthusiastic: “Because Christopher Ward and Fears are founder members of the Alliance, we’ve been able to pool our creative and technical resources. In fact, a challenge we agreed upon from the outset was to go far beyond an exercise in shared styling, but to also realise the Alliance’s aim of encouraging British brands to share technical knowledge and expertise. It’s been hugely beneficial to learn from each other.”

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

• CASE 316L stainless steel, 40.5mm cushion-shaped (depth 12.80mm). Closed caseback
• LUG WIDTH 20mm
• MOVEMENT Swiss made Sellita SW200 25 Jewel Auto Mod. JJ01
• GLASS Sapphire Crystal to front with ARdur® Swiss anti-reflective coating on inside and outside
• DIAL Burgundy Red. Sunburst outer finish with concentric ring centre. Polished, bevelled, Rhodium-plated chapter ring. Silver printing
• HANDS ‘Fears’ minute hand – Bevelled, diamond polished and Rhodium plated
• FUNCTIONS Time (jumping hour on disc at 12 o’clock)
• WARRENTY 2 Year guarantee from date of purchase
• STRAP Oxblood Red, British calf leather, lined in Alcantara®, handmade
• SERIAL NUMBER Individually numbered, sequentially
• LIMITED EDITION Limited to 50 pieces. Engraved with a unique number on underside of lug from 1-50
• MODEL REFERENCE BS240.500
• RETAIL PRICE £3,950 inc. VAT (£3,291.67 ex. VAT)