While Beaucroft has been going since 2020, the Cambridge-based brand only really hit their stride in 2023 with the release of the Seeker. They’d tried their hand at casual-dressy pieces like the Signature, but it was the Seeker with its curved mid-case, leaf hands, and gradient dials that balanced the everyday and elegant in a way that’s since come to define the brand. They moved on to the brighter, sportier Element, but the Seeker remained at the core of Beaucroft’s identity.
That said, the original Seeker leaned slightly more into the dressy side of things and made some concessions to do so – including a low 50m water resistance and a more delicate case. Which is why Beaucroft have now redesigned and refreshed it into the new Arc – a collection that isn’t just the rehashed, but the Seeker perfected.
The Arc is an instance of refinement over revolution. While it was billed as a dress watch, the Seeker always made a great everyday wearer, and the Arc plays up to that idea. That comes in first with an upsized case, growing from 37mm to 38mm. On paper, that’s not a huge increase. But in a watch where every millimetre counts, the shift has allowed Beaucroft to include a new polished edge around the top of each lug, while brushing the rest of the metal.
If you’ve ever worn one of Christopher Ward’s Lightcatcher cases, you’ll understand how a single extra edge and the interplay of brushing and polishing can impact the shape of a watch. Here, it ups the wrist presence of The Arc well beyond a classic dress watch, outlining the lugs and catching the light for a punchier visual identity. The lugs haven’t actually changed in size – the lug-to-lug is 43.5mm, the same as the original Seeker – they simply have more gravitas.
They are however, slightly further apart, meaning your old 18mm straps won’t fit the new 20mm gap on The Arc. That’s a straightforward way to shift The Arc from ostensibly a dress watch into a proper go everywhere, do anything timepiece; a broader, chunkier strap feels a lot more rugged, even if the strap material doesn’t actually change. For the new, larger proportions, 20mm feels right.
There’s more to the Arc than a new sizing; that wouldn’t be worth an entirely new name. What comes with that size is a slightly redesigned profile. It still uses Beaucroft’s signature arched mid-case – a nod to Cambridge’s Bridge of Sighs – and the changes are subtle enough that I needed to see them side-by-side with the original Seeker. But it comes down to a more contiguous blend of the various parts of the watch that results in a slightly improved wearing experience. It’s not dramatic enough to really stand out but still appreciable in something designed to be worn daily.
Other changes are much easier to appreciate immediately. The Arc’s water resistance has been upped to a GADA-appropriate 100m. The bezel has been given a hardening treatment, so the polished accents are more forgiving to the occasional careless knock. And finally, lume has been splashed liberally across the dial, with lume-filled hands, indexes, and cardinal numerals.
All these changes were long overdue. The Seeker looked like a watch that you could wear everywhere, but it just didn’t quite stand up to that promise. Granted, it was initially designed as a dress watch, so the smaller size and lack of practical touches almost get a pass. But unless we’re talking about solid gold cases, ultra-slim profiles or high complications, 100m water resistance should be the baseline. In every way, The Arc is a direct upgrade on its predecessor.
Beaucroft is synonymous with colour and The Arc is available in four distinctive hues. The brand’s signature teal makes an appearance, alongside a dark blue edging on black, olive green, and burnt orange. They’re darker and more refined than the straightforward pops that come with the Element collection and make The Arc that bit more versatile for everyday wear. As the teal and orange dials are that touch brighter, the fume gradient is much more noticeable, but it’s still a more subtle effect than many other smoked dials.
Inside is the Miyota 9039 automatic movement, the no-date version of the classic Japanese workhorse calibre that is the 9015. That means a 42-hour power reserve and the kind of easy servicing and reliability you want from a smaller, independent brand. It’s also one of the most accessible third-party movements around, meaning it’s a staple in value-driven microbrand watches – which The Arc most definitely is.
Priced at £525, The Arc comes in at close to £300 less than the more complicated Contour GMT, but also £125 less than the simpler, sportier Element. With its versatile balance of elegance and practicality, that makes The Arc the biggest value proposition in Beaucroft’s line-up.
Price and Specs:
More details at Beaucroft.
