Back in Issue 110 of Oracle Time we reported how Bristol-based brand Fears announced they are the official timekeeping partner for the A Great British Odyssey world record attempt. At the time, around February, Fears’ role in the project was to develop an experimental watch for Angus to use during the adventure. A few months later, that experimental watch – imaginatively called the Experimental 01 – is now ready to take on the adventure, alongside a 100 piece Commemorative Brunswick 40 ‘Odyssey Edition’.
What is A Great British Odyssey? In short, friend of the brand and extreme endurance athlete Angus Collins is attempting to become the first person in history to solo row around the entirety of the Great British mainland. It’s set to be a gruelling undertaking lasting around 60 days, requiring Angus to row for up to 18-hours a day in a custom boat. The event is being run in support of the James’ Place charity with the goal of raising £250,000 in support of men experiencing suicidal crises.
Experimental 01
The Experimental 01 is being described as Fears’ first tool watch since the 1970s, though aesthetically it retains much of the style and class of the Brunswick 40 upon which is based. There are eight key enhancements that make it suitable for undertaking this mammoth task. In order to communicate those enhancements efficiently, here they are in Fears’ own words:
- Fixed bar attachment – laser welded onto the lugs ensuring there is no weak point where spring bars might fail due to extreme level of wrist movement during the row.
- Satinised case finish – reduces the risk of sun reflecting off polished surfaces into Angus’ eyes while rowing causing discomfort and most dangerous, distraction.
- 30 ATM water resistance – upgraded water resistance to ensure no risk of water ingress while the watch is subjected to constant contact with salt water up to 18 hours a day.
- Glare resistant dial – special anti-glare ‘orange peel’ texture with matte varnish used on the dial to reduce the risk of glare while worn outdoors and in direct sunlight.
- Grade X2 Super-LumiNova® – Hands and appliques hand-filled with superior Grade X2 Super-LumiNova® for the highest afterglow strength and longevity, reducing the need to use precious electrical resource on the boat to read the time.
- Ultra contrast dials and hands – ensure quick and easy time telling at a glance while watch is in motion on the wrist.
- MN™ Elasticated Strap – for improved comfort when being worn 24/7 with constant wrist movement and water resistant.
- Fears Precision Time Testing – movement undergone precision testing to ensure enhanced reliability and accuracy, with 0/+1 second a day accuracy”
That last point is worth dwelling on a bit longer. What the Precision Time Testing involves is a batch of 25 new La Joux-Perret G101 movements tested over a period of days to determine the five most accurate. This cream of the crop was then further regulated for a week to increase their accuracy in all positions as much as possible. They were then further tested over a period of weeks by being attached to ‘mule’ watches worn by the Fears team with detailed accounts of their daily activity, providing practical, real world measurements.
The result is an extremely accurate and reliable watch with a super legible display decorated only with the joint logos of Fears and A Great British Odyssey. Sadly, none of the Experimental pieces will be available for sale. However, Fears have still got you covered if you do want to support the cause as they are releasing a commemorative Brunswick 40 ‘Odyssey Edition’ alongside in a limited edition of 100 pieces.
Brunswick 40 ‘Odyssey Edition’
As you’d expect, the Brunswick 40 ‘Odyssey Edition’ takes its design cues from the Experimental 01 with the same layout of dial markings and even the same special texture that was developed specifically for the event. However, it does reintroduce a hint of that classic Brunswick luxury back into the design. Polished numerals and hands shine in the light. It also trades out the lume for X1 Super-LumiNova instead of the higher grade X2 for greater convenience and a less intense nightlight effect when it’s on your bedside table.
It’s also presented with a duo of straps. The first is a replica of the uber sporty MN™ Elasticated Strap from Erika’s Originals to tie in with the Experimental 01. The second is custom Delugs textured rubber strap with a new Fears x Delugs leaf-spring deployant clasp. Another celebration of the event alongside the straps is a bespoke caseback engraved with the British mainland and Angus’ route.
Of course, as A Great British Odyssey is raising money for James’ Place, a portion of each sale will support the charity. It has a price of £3,550. While the ‘Odyssey Edition’ isn’t a production Fears tool watch, it is at least a step in that direction. We also know from the Experimental 01 that it’s possible to make a Brunswick with 300m water resistance so who knows… Brunswick Dive Watch when?
Price and Specs:
Cushion-shaped, screw-down crown, satin finish (EXP 01)
Polished and brushed finish (Odyssey)
Fears Blue PVD coated appliques filled with Grade X1 Super-LumiNova® (Odyssey)
150m (15 bar) (Odyssey)
More details at Fears.
I do similar of endurance kayaking on the coast of British Columbia. Hands wet with seawater most of an 8 to 10 hour day.
The reinforced spring bar solution is a good idea – spring bars can fail with a heavy knock and watch will always be lost.
The astounding miss for me is that Fears didn’t make it from titanium. Freezing cold water can make steel painful on the skin and weight matters A LOT. Making it as light as possible is essential.
Fears watches have always impressed me personally, this latest development for a specific target (Great British Odyssey world record attempt), and meeting a list of properly reviewed and executed criteria of performance, is incredible. It is gratifying to see that they haven’t really stayed from their recognisable USP in terms of case shape and dial format or fallen into the trap of creating yet another dive style watch that is an over populated arena anyway (or should that be marina), so keeping to their own unique style whilst still meeting impressive specification is a creditable challenge. This could become “the” pinnacle of field watches. Pity about the limited availability though.
My only input to the design / specification process would have been to relocate the crown to the 2 o’clock position to prevent it from causing chafiing to the wrist during the grueling challenge, but a small point. (I would have definitely kept the onion style crown for each of adjustment in wet conditions, just relocated it).
Amazing watch!