Every industry worth its salt deserves a mouthpiece, one through which it can yell loud and proud about just how exceptional they are. Case in point, the British watch industry, which has made huge strides over the last few years in becoming one of the most vibrant, creative and driven havens of horology there is.
Ranging from creative, fashion-forward designs to accessible watchmaking to serious haute horology, British watches no longer means just one thing. Now, more than ever, they need a body to promote exactly what we can do here on home shores. That body is the Alliance of British Watch and Clock Makers.
Alistair Audsley
Despite British watchmaking being on the rise for some time now, the Alliance is very new. Founded by Mike France of Christopher Ward, Alistair Audsley of the GREAT Britain campaign and Roger Smith of… well, Roger Smith, the Alliance is dedicated to promoting British watch and clock making both at home and abroad.
That doesn’t just mean giving a voice to the industry as a whole, but actively campaigning to encourage British supply-chain, technology and jobs in watchmaking; champion homegrown provenance and get the word out that Britain is once again one of the most important centres for horological excellence in the world.
Roger Smith
As Roger Smith puts it, “It’s an exciting time because we have this real opportunity to forge our own vision of how watchmaking should be in Britain today in the 21st Century. If we can all start sharing our experiences, learning from each other, working out ways we can help each other, there’s no limit to what we can achieve. Above all, our founding of this Alliance is an invitation to watch collectors and horology enthusiasts all over the world to join us and be part of this exciting journey.”
To that end, the Alliance has begun to put together a series of virtual events, dubbed Open Dial, where British watch and clockmakers give insights into their work. Once we’re out of lockdown, you can expect plenty of in-person events to compliment the digital, and get-togethers for seasoned collectors and horological newcomers both. Just grab a Club Membership and you’ll have access to the best British watchmaking has to offer.
It’s obviously struck a chord with British watch brands as nearly 50 brands are now part of the alliance. As the only leading British watch and luxury lifestyle magazine in Britain, it’s also struck a chord with us here at Oracle Time, too.
Which is why we’re proud to announce that Oracle Time is now the official media partner of the Alliance of British Watch and Clockmakers.
Mike France
We’re not the only ones excited, Mike France says, “It is both exciting and appropriate for the Alliance of British Watch & Clock Makers to have British based watches and lifestyle magazine, Oracle Time, as our first media partner. It was clear from our discussions that we share the same passion and ambition for this resurgent sector and we look forward to working closely with Sam Kessler and his team to bring British watch and clockmaking to an ever-wider audience.”
So, consider us your number 1 stop for all British watchmaking news. We will also be providing all Alliance members with a free annual subscription to our print magazine – that’s 10 issues a year worth £60.
For more information on the Alliance of British Watch and Clock Makers, and to purchase a Club Membership, visit Alliance of British Watch and Clock Makers.
