3 UK Microbrands That Need Your Attention
If you still think British watchmaking began and ended with the pocket watches of yore or James Bond’s latest Omega, it’s time to wind your mind forward. The UK’s watch scene is alive, ticking, and, dare I say – thriving thanks to a new generation of microbrands doing things differently. These aren’t just watches that tell the time. These are stories on your wrist, powered by Swiss movements but fuelled by British grit, charm, and just the right amount of eccentricity.
So whether you’re a seasoned collector or just want something less “off-the-shelf” and more “talk-of-the-pub”, here are three UK microbrands that deserve your attention – and possibly your hard-earned cash.
Credit - Farer
1. Farer
📍 Headquarters: London
⌚ Founded: 2015
💸 Starting price: £825
Farer is like the charming British cousin who studied design in Switzerland and came back with a bold wardrobe and impeccable manners. With names like Lander, Stanhope and Aqua Compressor, Farer’s watches have one foot in the past and one in a pair of colourful socks.
What sets them apart? Colour. Glorious, unexpected, never-gaudy colour. Farer has mastered the art of dial design like few others, from sunburst teals to burnt oranges and mint greens – all housed in beautifully balanced cases with top-tier finishing. The typography? Custom-designed and utterly tasteful. The names? Inspired by British explorers. It’s nostalgia, but never naff.
And underneath the beauty? Solid Swiss Sellita automatic movements, sapphire crystals, and design choices that punch well above their weight class. Think of Farer as the horological equivalent of a Wes Anderson film – familiar structure, but fantastically styled.
Look out for: The Chrono-Sport range if you like a busy dial, or the Aqua Compressor Hecla if you prefer your watches bold and beach-ready.
Credit - anOrdain
2. anOrdain
📍 Headquarters: Glasgow
⌚ Founded: 2015
💸 Starting price: £2,000
There’s artisan, and then there’s anOrdain. Nestled in a design studio in Glasgow, this microbrand is redefining what “craftsmanship” means in a watch dial. Their party piece? Enamel. Real vitreous enamel dials, made in-house, painstakingly layered and kiln-fired like miniature pieces of art.
Each dial takes weeks to make, and no two are exactly the same – a rare thing in today’s mass-produced watch world. Their typeface is bespoke. The design ethos? Clean, modern, and Scottish through and through – with a minimalist aesthetic that never feels cold.
anOrdain doesn’t just slap enamel on and call it a day. These are fully considered, genuinely beautiful watches. They feel like what Apple might design if they had a fine art degree and a deep love of lochs.
Look out for: The Model 1 for something pure and clean, or the Model 2 (pictured) if you fancy a rugged field-watch aesthetic with an enamel twist.
Credit - Fears
3. Fears Bristol
📍 Headquarters: Bristol (originally London)
⌚ Founded: 1846 (yes, really) – Relaunched in 2016
💸 Starting price: £2,450
If Farer is the extrovert and anOrdain the artisan, Fears is the gentleman at the club who’s seen it all and still knows which fork to use. Originally founded in 1846, Fears was a well-regarded British name until World War II and the quartz crisis consigned it to the pages of history. That is, until a sixth-generation family member – Nicholas Bowman-Scargill – dusted off the archives and relaunched the brand with serious intent.
Today, Fears watches are an exercise in restrained elegance. They’re clean, thin, and effortlessly dressy – the sort of thing you’d wear with a dinner jacket or, frankly, a nice jumper and a pint. And while they’re Swiss-powered, Fears prides itself on doing as much as possible in Britain, from case finishing to dial printing.
Everything about a Fears watch feels deliberate. Nothing flashy. No gimmicks. Just an obsession with quality, proportion and heritage. If you’ve ever wished the phrase “British Made” actually meant something again – start here.
Look out for: The Brunswick (pictured) – a cushion-case stunner named after the street of the original Fears workshop – or the elegant Archival series for a slice of 1930s revival.
Final Thoughts: Why These Brands Deserve Your Wrist
There’s something immensely satisfying about wearing a watch that isn’t churned out by the millions. With Farer, anOrdain and Fears, you’re not just buying a timepiece – you’re buying into a story, a vision, and a community of passionate British watchmakers putting their stamp back on the map.
And let’s be honest – there’s something undeniably cool about answering “Oh this? It’s a small British brand you’ve probably never heard of” when someone asks about your watch.
So if your wrist is currently feeling a bit underdressed – or your collection needs a dose of British charm – these are three names that should be on your radar, and possibly on your arm.
Honourable Mentions: Studio Underd0g (for the meme-meets-mechanical vibe) and Marloe Watch Company (for budget-friendly storytelling pieces).
