Alongside the Redcliff ‘Pastel Collection’ another of Fears’ Time to Watches releases is the Brunswick 40 ‘Filton’. It takes their classic cushion case dress watch and reimagines it in sportier style with a pilot’s watch style display. The name Filton comes from the traditional home of the Bristol Aeroplane Company, further cementing Fears’ connection to their home city.
Jumping straight to the dial, the aviation inspiration is clear to see. They have oversize Arabic numerals coated with lume to provide excellent legibility whether in the light or the dark. It features a triangle marker at 12 o’clock in a stylised reference to the military broadhead arrow while the markers at 3, 6 and 9 and horizontal batons.
When I first pulled the watches out of their packaging, I mistook them for having a California display, which would mean they feature two types of numerals such as Roman on the top half of the display and Arabic on the bottom. It was actually a slight disappointment to realise they’re not Cali dials when I inspected them closer. It would add a lot more character to the display. Plus, Fears have used the California style before in a special edition from 2024 and it would be cool to see it in a core collection now.
The two versions of the Fears Brunswick 40 ‘Filton’ are the Raven Black and Squadron Green. The black edition has a super high contrast display that’s emphasised by the use of ‘ghost’ hands, which means that while the main body of the hands are white, the central hand-stack itself is black, making the hands look like they’re floating. The Squadron Green is more overtly military inspired with an olive, ombré gradient dial.
While we’re discussing the dials, a significant update is the inclusion of a date window at 6 o’clock – the first ever date function in the modern Brunswick line. It’s integrated into the display very well, sitting just above the 6 o’clock hour marker rather than replacing it. That means your eye glides over it when reading the time, so it’s completely un-disruptive to the clarity of the watch despite adding more information.
Undoing the buffalo leather strap lets you view the exhibition caseback and view the La Joux-Perret G100 automatic movement. Like the G101 found in the ‘Pastel Collection’ it has a custom Bristol Flower rotor, which stands out with its intense blue colouration that matches the blue lining of the leather straps.
These are really solid additions to the Brunswick 40 range, introducing a sportier interpretation of the design that’s in line with Fears’ recent design philosophy. Both versions of the Fears Brunswick 40 ‘Filton’ are priced at £3,350 on strap or £3,550 on bracelet, including VAT. Come on Fears, where’s the Cali-edition?
Price and Specs:
More details at Fears.
