Watchatlas

Fears

Bristol, United Kingdom · Est. 1846

Founded by Edwin Fear

Fears, a British luxury watch brand with 179 years of heritage, is based in Bristol. Relaunched in 2015 to champion British watchmaking, Fears produces refined mechanical watches in limited numbers with Swiss movements — bridging Victorian craft sensibility with the values of the modern independent watchmaking movement.

Founded
1846
Headquarters
Bristol, United Kingdom
Group
Independent
Price Segment
Mid
Status
Active

Key Collections

  • Brunswick (2016) — Fears Brunswick is the brand’s elegant hand-wound flagship family, defined by a slim round case, stepped dial architecture, refined British finishing, and a positioning that leans dressy while remaining everyday wearable. Key references: Brunswick 38 White, Brunswick 38 Charcoal Rose, Brunswick 40 Filton Raven Black.
  • Redcliff (2016) — Fears Redcliff is the brand’s contemporary everyday collection, named for Redcliff Street in Bristol and positioned as a slim, versatile, modern time-and-date family that bridges the company’s heritage and its relaunch-era design language. Key references: Redcliff Date, Redcliff 39.5 Date Raven Black, Redcliff 39.5 ES.

Timeline

  • 1846 — Edwin Fear establishes a watchmaking business in Bristol, England, making it one of Britain's oldest watch brands.
  • 1900 — The brand becomes a respected name in British horology, supplying quality timepieces across the West Country.
  • 2016 — Nicholas Bowman-Scargill, a descendant of the founder, relaunches Fears as a contemporary British watch brand with Swiss movements.

Frequently Asked Questions about Fears

Is Fears a British brand?
Yes, Fears was founded in Bristol, England in 1846 by Edwin Fear, making it one of the oldest continually held British watch brands. It was relaunched in 2016 by a family descendant.
Where are Fears watches made?
Fears watches are designed in Bristol and assembled in Switzerland using Swiss automatic movements, blending British design heritage with Swiss mechanical craftsmanship.

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