You might not realise it, what with Switzerland touting itself as the home of all things horological, but Britain was once the cradle of fine watchmaking. Yes, yes, that was centuries ago, but like the House of Lords, the Commonwealth and an innate feeling of global superiority, it’s something we’re hanging on to.
Not just hanging onto either; over the past decade, watchmaking in the UK has come back in a big way. That’s across the spectrum, from British-designed, Swiss-made pieces to serious fine watchmaking; vintage throwbacks to the 1920s and wartime classics to funky, modern pieces that are just downright cool.