Fears

Paradoxically one of Britain's oldest and youngest watch brands, and one of the oldest family-run watch companies in Britain. Founded in 1846 by 22-year-old watchmaker Edwin Fear at 33–35 Redcliff Street in Bristol, the company grew to export watches to 95 countries worldwide. During the Blitz of 1940, the Bristol Bridge headquarters was destroyed on 24th November; the Brunswick Square export department was hit three times and evacuated in 1942.

After moving to Clifton to celebrate its centenary in 1946, Fears closed in 1976. While working as an apprentice watchmaker at Rolex in London, the great-great-great-grandson of Edwin Fear — Nicholas Bowman-Scargill — relaunched the brand at the SalonQP watch show on 3rd November 2016, becoming the fourth Managing Director. The Redcliff (named after Redcliff Street) was the first modern watch; the Brunswick (named after Brunswick Square) followed in 2017. In 2021, Fears celebrated its 175th anniversary at the top of the Shard in London; in 2023 a Brunswick Au in solid 18ct gold was launched to mark King Charles III's Coronation; in 2024 a boutique opened at No. 4 Clifton Arcade, Bristol. Mantra: 'Elegantly Understated.' Today four collections: Brunswick (dress watches in 38–40mm, including a Jump Hour), Redcliff (from $2,900), Arnos (tall rectangular case reviving a 1920s shape, launched 2025), and Haute. Nicholas Bowman-Scargill is the 6th generation of the Fear watchmaking family.

2026 marks the 180th anniversary.