Bamford Watch Department: Customised Watches

I met George Bamford just before Christmas when he showed me Bamford Watch Department's Mayfair HQ. Housed in an elegant building, a remarkable feature is that the paint of the internal walls graduates from black to white over the height of the building. When I mentioned this to Bamford he told me that most visitors don't notice, but I saw it as evidence of his total immersion in design that marks out his approach to whatever he does.

Zenith El Primero customised by Bamford Watch Department

Bamford Watch Department designs many things, from grooming products, through stickers (incongruously) to the customisation of watches. I first came across the company some years ago, in my watch collecting days, when they applied a black coating to Rolexes (particularly the Submariner) in a way that made the watches look fantastic, but, as it was done without Rolex approval, voided any warranty. Nowadays watch brands such as Zenith, Tag Heuer and Bulgari have arrived at George Bamford's door to collaborate with him. Visit the BWD website and you'll see that you can stamp your personality on an off-the-peg watch by changing dials, hands and cases to create a timepiece that is exactly as you want it. 

Top row: Zenith and Tag Heuer customised watches. Bottom row: Bamford Mayfair quartz watches

Each watch is customised in Bamford's own workshops where I saw experienced watchmakers relishing in the creative nature of the work they do. George has a close input, commenting in strap shapes and stitching and, with his keen design eye, ensuring that each watch looks its best for the client.

They also produce their own Mayfair collection of quartz watches. Affordably priced at £425, they come in a wide range of case and dial colours, echoing the customisation available for higher end watches. The Mayfair Range have a military-inspired asymmetric titanium-coated case and 12 hour bezel which makes them ideal holiday watches when you'd rather leave the pricey watches at home. The 12 hour bezel allows time to be read in a different timezone and a selection of straps adds to the choice available. There is no date display, something I'd like to see on a very practical knock-around watch like this.

On the wrist: customised Zenith El Primero (top left) and Bamford Mayfair

I was sent a couple of watches to try. Both had huge straps, far too large for my medium/small wrist, so if you order check sizing. Close up, all the watches are beautifully made and, whether you go for a customised high end watch like a Zenith, Tag Heuer or Bulgari, or the affordable Mayfair Range you'll have a wristwatch that's not only different but that oozes design integrity. The breadth of choice is large and you will own a customised watch that fulfils your precise requirements. See Bamford Watch Department.

This post was unsponsored. I was lent watches for review.

Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Bathyscape Diver's Watch

I love a simple, black dialled watch with a heritage as a robust workmanlike timepiece, so I was keen to feature the Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe diver's timepiece. As with many other contemporary watches I've written about, it's the result of a brand using its archives to produce a modern version of a formerly successful watch.

Blancpain Fifty Five Fathoms on a NATO-style strap

The modern Blancpain Fifty Five Fathoms Bathyscaphe (pictured above and introduced in 2013) includes elements of two heritage watches. The original Fifty Five Fathoms diver's watch was produced in 1953 and the Bathyscape (both pictured below) came in later in the fifties with men's and women's models. Both watches were used extensively by divers, professional and military, so their heritage as strong and accurate watches is proven and continues with the new watch.

Vintage Blancpain Fifty Five Fathoms from 1953

Vintage Blancpain Bathyscaphe introduced in the late fifties

The 2013 watch includes recent technical improvements with a modern in-house self-winding movement, a display back (so that you can see the movement) and the inclusion of silicon and other materials to improve robustness and accuracy. It's waterproof to 300m and comes on a sail canvas strap or a nylon NATO-style strap to reflect a robust military diving heritage. With a faintly vintage look, it feels solid and at 43mm is larger than the originals. This would be on the large side for me with my slim wrists, but size is a decision for you, the potential purchaser, to make. See Blancpain for more information.

Jaeger LeCoultre Reverso: A Different and Classic Watch

During my long-past collecting days I owned one or two Jaeger LeCoultre watches (both ex-military watches I seem to recall), however, until recently, I hadn't ever tried the Reverso. This fascinating timepiece, rectangular in shape, intriguing in design and vintage in character, has an interesting history related to the playing of polo in 1930s India. The Reverso is ideal for anyone wanting something a little different and individual. 

What make the Jaeger LeCoultre Reverso unusual is that the case flips over within its protective surround, revealing (as in the original watches) a plain back or, more recently, a secondary dial on the back which can show a different time zone for the traveller. The plain backs are often engraved with the owner's initials, illustrations of loved ones, pets, risqué scenes or whatever the owner fancies.

The design originated in the 1930s in response to the needs of British Army officers playing polo in India and needing protection for their watches while playing. Reversing the watch case safeguarded it from the knocks of a hard chukka. The thirties art deco style has survived the decades, making a watch that is both vintage yet very contemporary in looks.

Jaeger LeCoultre lent me a watch to wear for a few weeks (pictured above). I loved its hand-wound movement and quirky and very different looks, so different from the vast majority of watches with their round dials. As you can see from the image, the reverse shows the time in a second time zone and indicates whether it's day or night (in case you can't be bothered to get out of bed to check). Although originally a sports watch, its classic good looks make it, nowadays, more of a dress watch. However, although perfect with dinner jacket, it also looks cool and sophisticated with jeans and jumper, particularly when worn on a beautiful brown leather strap.

See Jaeger LeCoultre for more information and prices.

Note: As I was told by a lovely woman at Jaeger LeCoultre, it's not 'jayger' or even 'yayger', but is pronounced 'zhay-zhair le-cooltruh'. Or maybe just say, 'JLC'.

Vertex M100: A Brand and a Watch Revived

Many watch brands have been looking back into their archives to produce modern variations of  classic designs. In the case of Vertex, the company itself has been revived by Don Cochrane, great grandson of the original founder of Vertex (in 1916), Claude Lyons. He has in turn has recreated an updated version of a watch that was produced by the company for the British military in 1944. 

Vertex M100

The modern Vertex M100 is based on the 1944 Cal. 59 Navigation watch which was one of twelve similar watches (called WWWs) made by various brands for use during WW2. The twelve, now known as 'The Dirty Dozen' are collected by military watch enthusiasts (very few manage to accumulate the complete set). In my watch collecting days I owned some five of the twelve and one of those was the Vertex WWW. Its well-proportioned design and practical, robust construction made it a favourite and I still own one (see the image below). 

An original 1940s Vertex WWW

Don Cochrane has managed to capture the spirit of the original in a watch that is larger (40mm as opposed to 35mm). Both are hand-wound easily legible dials and stainless steel cases. On occasion modern homage watches fail to capture the looks of the original because scaling up a watch doesn't always preserve its proportions. By carefully tweaking the appearance of the case and dial Vertex have somehow kept the rugged attractiveness of the original without making the M100 a pastiche. The luminous numerals has been applied so that they are three dimensional and this adds a contemporary and minimalist look to the watch.

I wore one for several weeks and enjoyed the experience of winding it daily. Automatic watches are fine, but I like that connection with a mechanical watch when it's wound each morning; a moment of peace as you prepare to rush out to face the world. The watch is legible, comfortable to wear and feels robust and solid.

The luminous numerals

Don Cochrane has produced a watch that can't just be bought by anyone. Keen to avoid it becoming the object of collectors buying it for what it represents rather than what it is, ownership comes through recommendation or ownership of an original Vertex WWW. Priced at £2500, it preserves the practical tool watch character of the original and is something different yet highly wearable for the man or woman looking for a well-designed and attractive watch. The military design gives it a well-proportioned simplicity that makes this an adaptable watch for the man or woman of a sartorial leaning. See Vertex for more information.

Fears Brunswick: Their First Mechanical Watch

It seems like yesterday when, nearly two years ago, I met an excited Nicholas Bowman Scargill to hear how he was reviving Fears, a Bristol watch brand founded in 1846 by his great great great grandfather. The last year has seen the introduction of an attractive range of quartz-powered watches, but this month marks the significant introduction of the company's first mechanical watch since its revival. Much of it is British-made, indicating a future direction of travel for this family business. 

The Fears Brunswick - Fears first mechanical watch since its revival and available from early 2018

The Fears Brunswick (named after the Bristol square which was the address of the first Fears export business) has a vintage feel, homage to early Fears cushion-cased watches (pictured second below), but, at the same time, has a simplicity that makes it look very contemporary.

The case shape is refreshingly different to the modern rather clone-like watch shape and this, for me, makes it a desirable and attractive timepiece. In the flesh, the watch is even more attractive than it appears in photos.

The Fears Brunswick (left) and an early twentieth century Fears wristwatch

Significant too is that Nicholas Bowman Scargill has made great strides towards producing a watch largely manufactured in the UK. The mechanical movement is, of course, Swiss made, but it has been decorated in the UK and the case, dial and hands have been manufactured here. Within a year or so of its revival, Fears is making watches as it would have done over a century ago. Being hand-built, the Brunswick will be made in short batch runs, the first being available in early 2018.

The clear case back allows you to see the Geneva stripe decoration, applied in the UK. The final production model will vary slightly from this sample as there will be further finishing to case back and movement

At 38mm the case is exactly the right size for a watch straddling vintage and contemporary styles. The beautifully decorated movement is visible through the transparent case back. The white dial is a nod to old Fears pocket watches and the movement is, of course, hand wound. I love that contemplative moment in the morning when I wind my watch before putting it on. If you're used to a quartz or automatic mechanical movement you may find you forget at first, but in due course you'll look forward to that moment when you power up your tiny clockwork motor. 

I love this watch and look forward to being able to try one again after its introduction early next year. Price £1750 inc. VAT. For more information, see Fears.

For past blog features on Fears, click here.

Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Tribute Dive Watch

Back in my watch collecting days I nearly bought an unusual but handsome diving watch which, like many of the best watches, had a highly practical and military background. It was a Blancpain Fifty Fathoms (see image below). Those of you with a nautical background will know that a fathom is a naval measurement of depth and is six feet, so fifty fathoms is 300 feet, or just under 100 metres, the depth to which the watch could be dived.

The original Blancpain Fifty Fathoms on a military strap

Dating originally to the early fifties, the Fifty Fathoms was later adopted by the French and US military who demanded a water tightness indicator on the dial. This is the two-part circle at the bottom of the dial which changes colour if water gets into the watch case. This became a well-known characteristic of the watch and has been reproduced on the military-style tribute watch which Blancpain has launched.

In common with many other brands, Blancpain has delved into its archives and produced a tribute to the original watch. I'm pleased to say that they've kept the watch to a reasonable size, 40mm, roughly the size of the original, rather than making it too large (image below).

The Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Tribute

While the proportions of dial to bezel are slightly different to the original, the tribute retains the minimalist and easily legible nature of the original. Watches like this which are designed for a practical purpose generally result in attractive and uncluttered designs. Like the original, the tribute has an automatic movement (Blancpain realised in the early fifties that hand-winding a watch compromises water resistance) which is made in-house and is water resistant to 300 metres (as opposed to the original's 300 feet).

On inspection, it's a beautifully made and robust watch. It also has a transparent case back to enable you to see the movement; a fascinating part of any watch and usually hidden from sight. It's available on a NATO strap (true to its military origin), steel bracelet or sailcloth strap. A watch that would look good with casual or businesswear, on the beach or in the board room. It's available in a limited run of 500 priced at £10,310. See Blancpain for more information.

For an excellent history of the original watch, click here

This feature is unsponsored.

Fears Launches Pebble Grey Redcliff Watch

Nicholas Bowman-Scargill of Fears Watches has launched a new colour dial. The 'pebble' grey dialled Redcliff brings further understated elegance to the range. A further dial colour will be introduced later in the year as the range is enlarged. See Fears Watches for more information.

See more on the background to this revived family watch brand here on the blog.

This post is unsponsored.

Henley Royal Regatta with Bremont Watches

I had a wonderful day at Henley Royal Regatta as a guest of Bremont Watches who are now an official timing partner to the event, among the first official partners that Henley has ever had (Hackett Menswear being another). For Bremont this is a logical step, as they have offices and manufacturing facilities in Henley and they also know how to time things like rowing races take.

We saw some of Bremont's collection in their stand. Their watches seem to have become cleaner in design recently, which I approve of. They had made special a edition wristwatch and stop watch to mark their involvement with the event. The wristwatch pictured below is typical of this more elegant approach. There's not really space to go into this here, but maybe I'll have a chance to look at Bremont's watches at a future point - meanwhile see the Bremont website.

Although their watches are not yet fully made in the UK, we were told by co-founder Nick English that some parts are made in Henley and that the aim is to have a British-made movement in due course. It's many years since watches were made in volume in the UK (Smiths watches were the last - see my feature here). I hope to bring you more news of this, but don't hold your collective breaths; these things take years to develop. Bremont is committed to UK manufacture with apprentice programmes and manufacturing being developed in Henley - an exciting story.

Anyway, back to the rowing. Err... well I didn't see much. I rowed at school so enjoy the sport. Sadly my school, Shrewsbury, had been knocked out of their competition the previous day by a minor school called Eton College, so I wasn't able to see the old school rowing, but at least I was able to dust off the old school tie to add to my outfit. Henley is one of the best places of the English summer season to see traditional British menswear style - that shabby yet highly stylish approach to dressing that works so well that the Italians call sprezzatura. The rowing blazers take the prize of course and I was sorry I didn't have a blazer from my rowing days to show off.

All in all, a wonderful day with the usual interesting mix of bloggers, journalists and lovely PR people to chat to. Many thanks Bremont.

IWC's Mk XVIII Homage to the Historic Mk XI Military Pilot's Watch

A favourite in my vintage watch collecting days was my IWC Mk XI, sadly sold a few years ago. Introduced in 1948, these were high quality pilot's watches, designed to be accurate enough to be used as navigational chronometers (in the days when aircraft were navigated by sextant), to be immune to the magnetic influences of an aeroplane and to have adequate water resistance. Minimalist in design, these were, in my view, among the most attractive military watches ever designed. Sadly, collectors agree and good examples can cost over £6000.

The 1948 IWC Mk XI (left) and its modern tribute Mk XVIII (right)

IWC have continued their heritage of producing pilot's watches (see more about them here) in the Mk XVIII and they've now added a limited edition homage to the Mk XI (or Mk 11) to this range. IWC kindly asked me to take part in a photoshoot launch of the new watch at Harrods, London, where the watch will be exclusively available for three months before going on wider release. 

While a true copy of the MK XI would be interesting, this is a tribute watch and not a pastiche. It's realistically been updated for the modern wearer. It's 40mm in diameter (the original was 36mm), has an automatic movement (the original was hand-wound) and a date (none on the Mk XI). The homage is an attractive, practical and high quality timepiece.

The new: the IWC Mk XVIII homage to the Mk XI (below)

An original 1948 IWC Mk XI pilot's watch

Watch aficionados call watches designed as practical timepieces 'tool watches' as they are made to be used for a specific purpose, rather than simply as a decorative object that happens to tell the time. The Mk XVIII homage is very much a tool watch, with (like its Mk XI predecessor) good magnetic and water resistance (it has a screw-down crown like a diver's watch). It's not rated formally as a chronometer, but the example I've been using keeps almost perfect time. 

The dial keeps the look of the original and even the luminous markers have that creamy colour of a vintage watch. The squared ended hour hand, pointed minute hand, matt black dial and triangle in place of the 12 are all true to the Mk XI. The watch comes on a quality grey/green NATO-style leather-backed textile strap. The durable design and minimalist black dial make this watch very adaptable and it could be worn with a suit for work or with shorts on the beach.

Other brands are delving into their archives as they recognise the popularity of vintage wristwatch designs. IWC were ahead of this trend and they make highly wearable and useful watches. I'll be very sad when I have to give my Mk XVIII back. 

Priced at £3790 in a limited edition of 1948 pieces, click here to see more about the Mk XVIII Tribute to the Mk XI Pilot's watch. Available exclusively at Harrods until end September 2017. 

My old Mk XI can be seen below - I wish I still had it!

Images Grey Fox Blog

This is a collaboration with IWC.

Wristwatch Update: Tudor, Breitling, Zenith, Tag Heuer

Anyone with a foot in the wristwatch world will know that it was recently Baselworld, at which watch companies show their new products. I'm not bringing you a full report (thank heavens), but here are four watches that caught my eye from some of my favourites. All have in-house or proprietary (rather than bought-in) mechanical movements and owe their designs to strong brand DNA. (Web links below).

Tudor released a few models at Baselworld. Their Heritage Black Bay Steel (below) looks attractive, sticking to the historic Tudor diving watch style.

Tudor Black Bay Heritage

While I've yet to see the watch in the flesh (keep an eye on my Instagram account for updates), it works aesthetically with its steel bezel (a newly introduced alternative to existing black or coloured bezels), date function, 'snowflake' hands and fabric strap (pictured). This Tudor is competitively priced, particularly as it has an in-house movement, at £2370 with leather strap and £2580 with bracelet. The fabric strap (my favourite) comes with all watches.

This is the watch I'd take on holiday as it can be worn securely all the time, on the beach, in the water (it's a dive watch) and afterwards at dinner in a local restaurant. For more on my coverage of Tudor Watches click here.

Breitling is a brand I've long admired. When I collected vintage watches I never quite got round to owning one, but the model I would have sought was the Navitimer, a watch designed for pilots which has been going since the early fifties. As with all successful watch brands, Breitling preserves its heritage and this shows in the Navitimer Rattrapante (below) - a split seconds timer with an in-house movement that is also chronometer certified.

Breitling Navitimer Rattrapante

The split seconds timer allows more than one object to be timed (or lap times) on two chronograph hands which normally sit one on top of the other, but are shown apart in the image above. The seconds hand is the left-hand of the sub-dials, the others being elapsed time for the chronograph (stopwatch) function. Split seconds watches are not common and are complicated to make, so this is a pretty cool timepiece, although on the large size (for me) at 45mm. Priced at £9910 in steel with croc folding clasp strap.

Zenith - one of my favourite chronographs from my watch collecting days was a Zenith. Sold on long ago, sadly, it represented the brand which was the first to market an automatic chronograph, the El Primero. Like all the watch brands mentioned in this feature, Zenith have stuck to their design heritage with this lovely piece, the Zenith Defy El Primero 21. With a chronometer accuracy rating, titanium case and the high-beating mechanical movement characteristic of the Zenith, this is an updated 21st century version of the original.

It comes with a titanium case (44mm) with a white traditional dial or an open work dial, or with a black ceramic aluminium case with an open work dial (as above). Prices £8,300, £9,100, £9,900 respectively.

Tag Heuer

The original Heuer Autavia was another vintage watch I admired but never got round to owning. The name is a contraction of AUTomobile and AVIAtion, a name taken from the first dash counter for racing cars and aircraft created by Heuer in 1933. 

Worn by the best-known racing drivers of the 1960s and 1970s: Jochen Rindt, Mario Andretti, Jo Siffert, Clay Regazzoni - names that resonate with me from the romantic era of motor sport - it has been reborn as the Tag Heuer Autavia. This is a handsome watch indeed, with a useful 12 hour bezel for the international traveller (rotate it to show local time). A well-proportioned watch, I love the white on black sub-dials and brown leather strap (also available with a steel bracelet). Prices £3,900 to £4,000 (with strap or with bracelet).

Links:

Tudor Watches.
Breitling.
Zenith.
Tag Heuer

This is an unsponsored post. The watches I've selected are a personal choice of watches I spotted from Baselworld coverage or from information sent to me by the brands themselves.

Fears Custom: Made to Order Watch Straps and Bespoke Engraving

Since I first introduced Fears Watches to you (here) this relaunched family brand has really caught the attention of watch buyers. Now Nicholas Bowman-Scargill has introduced a Custom service to enable owners to design bespoke watch straps and have their timepieces engraved with personal messages and designs.

Fears Custom allows a Fears watch to be combined with a special strap made from early 80,000 possible colour combinations of leather, lining and stitching. Each is made to order, making it unique to the owner. The strap can be personalised with the owner’s initials and is handmade in the same Belgium atelier where the current range of Fears goat’s leather straps are produced. The straps keep the same elegant profile and are easy to change without any special tools.

Fears Custom engraving allows a crest, motto or special date to be added to the case back which effectively becomes a blank canvas. Each unique strap is completed with an exclusive Fears Custom buckle. The engraving process starts with a computer drawn design of what the client is imagining, which is then put on a ‘digital’ case back. Once this is approved, the watch is hand engraved by a Master Engraver in Mayfair, London and delivered in special all-black packaging.

Available on brand new watches or those already being worn, Fears Custom appointments are available from 20th April. Further information about the service, images of what can be created and the option to request a booklet can be found at www.fearswatches.com/fearscustom. Pricing starts at £150 for made-to-order straps and £100 for engraving.

This feature is unsponsored - all views are entirely my own.

Bespoke watch straps - new style for your wristwatch from Mia Sabel

Any watch enthusiast will know that part of the fun of watch ownership is finding the ideal strap or bracelet for a favourite timepiece. I like to change straps occasionally simply for variety, but, having a small wrist, find that most are simply too large. One solution is to have one made. The strap will then fit perfectly, match any preferred colours and be made from the material of your choice.

Image Mia Sabel

Mia Sabel changed career to undertake a saddlery course and she now makes made-to-measure belts, watch straps and pet collars, creates stationery and accessories and undertakes commissions. She uses mainly English bridle leather and hand stitches and finishes her products to highest saddlery standards.

Images Mia Sabel

She makes straps for both modern and vintage watches and, as can be seen from the images, the character of a watch can be enhanced with a good bespoke strap. Contact Mia Sabel through her website to discuss your requirements.

This is an unsponsored post.

Omega Globemaster

I recently had the chance to wear an Omega Globemaster for a few days. I liked the watch, from one of my favourite brands, so here is an overview.

Wearing the Omega Globemaster

Many watch companies are using their archives to drive current watch design. The rise in popularity of vintage timepieces has focused attention on watches of the fifties and sixties, when they were often more elegant and functional than the bloated and fussy looks of some modern watches. The Globemaster revives the Omega Constellation of the sixties, a watch which, when I collected vintage, I looked for but never succeeded in sourcing the right one. It had an attractive 'piepan' dial, characterised by its angled surfaces which are used to good effect on the new watch. 

Omega Globemaster (Annual Calendar on the right)

The new watch uses its forbear's design well and makes an excellent cross between a dress and a very functional watch. By this I mean that while it has the clean and attractive appearance of a dress watch to be worn for work or more formal socialising, it's a lot more than a piece of male jewellery. The watch is highly water resistant and anti-magnetic; the latter essential, Omega claim, in these days of electronic devices which contain high levels of magnetism that throw out wristwatch accuracy. It is also a chronometer: conforming to a different chronometer standard than other watches, it will keep time to within 0 to +5 seconds a day.

One other feature that is useful for the traveller is that the hour hand can be moved independently of the minute hand. This means that you can alter your hour time if travelling across time zones without stopping the watch or affecting its timekeeping. The Annual Calendar model (above right) adds a calendar function but loses some of the simplicity of looks with the additional writing around the dial.

The watch feels fairly chunky, like a sports watch in many ways. The transparent caseback (above) allows you to see the attractive movement and displays the observatory medallion first seen on the original watches. 

What is offered here is a good-looking, robust, highly accurate watch that, at 39mm diameter, is an ideal size. It will stand you in good stead whether at a formal dinner or for wear on the beach. This is a watch for the man who needs one timepiece for everything, work, play, formal, informal and travel. Overall I was reluctant to hand it back at the end of my few day trial. See Omega for more information.

This is unsponsored. I was invited to a dinner to mark the watch in London before Christmas but have received no payment, direct or indirect.

A Blogger's Day - Timed by Seiko

As the blog approaches its fifth birthday I get busier and busier. The relaxed approach of the early days has been replaced with the need to meet schedules and deadlines and be on time for meetings. A good watch is essential. In this feature, sponsored by Seiko, I look at the place of a watch in my busy life and on a relaxing weekend in the country. 

Wearing a Seiko Premier watch at a meeting last week

I've been wearing a watch from the Seiko Premier collection for my work and a recent weekend away. It's been ideal for all outdoor activities: cycling and walking my dog Harry as well as social events such as lunch at a Michelin star restaurant and the more formal requirements of work. While not a sports watch, it makes an excellent all-round stylish and robust timepiece. Its slim shape makes it discreet and elegant.

Relaxing between meetings - a watch should be worn discreetly but elegantly

As a blogger writing about a search for style, a good-looking watch is essential. Simplicity and elegance of design are what I look for. Sadly so many watches are not well-designed and, even when very expensive, can look cheap. Style, proportion and classic good looks are certainly not the preserve of the expensive watch. Just as pricey watches can be ugly, so affordable watches can be attractive and well-made. 

A watch also needs to be practical. Legible, robust, accurate and easy to use. After all, a watch is a tool for telling the time, so function is as essential as good looks. The Seiko Premier collection fills these requirements in a busy life.

A weekend away - lunch at a Michelin star restaurant

Getting in the firewood during the weekend away

Seiko quartz Premier

Time for a walk

This post was sponsored by Seiko whose Premier range I was wearing. The collection is classic in style, using both quartz and mechanical movements. The watch I tried, pictured above, was on a well-made bracelet with understated looks, elegant blued hands and nicely-proportioned dial with Roman numerals. List price £299. See Seiko.