Lewis Cracknell

Fears Watch Company was founded in 1846 by Edwin Fear in Bristol and remained a successful, family-run British watchmaker for over 130 years. The brand closed in 1976, after a combination of industry pressures and family succession issues, and lay dormant for nearly four decades. In 2016, Edwin Fear’s great-great-great-grandson, Nicholas Bowman‑Scargill, revived the company — and just like that, Fears was reborn.

While researching Fears, I noticed a recurring theme in YouTube comments: price seems to be a consistent pain point.

Here’s where I think many people miss the mark. When you buy a Fears watch, you’re not just buying a movement or specifications — You are buying:

• Heritage — a story dating back to 1846

• A romantic resurrection — a brand reborn after decades of dormancy

• Elegance Understated – their motto

• Community — eligibility to join the Fears Owners Club

• Hand assembly in Britain — crafted in small batches

• Family ownership — a company not bound by quarterly shareholder pressures

• Best-in-class customer service

I wanted to put that last point to the test. I reached out via WhatsApp, curious to see how responsive Fears could be. I asked where I could get hands-on access to their watches, given that I live over three hours away. Their response was exceptional. I was offered a video call to explore the models I was interested in, along with a straightforward returns policy in case the watch didn’t feel right in person.

Compare that with many other brands, where you must go through an authorised retailer with limited knowledge of individual models and lets face it, in many cases, much less passion. With Fears, I spoke directly with Ben, a sales representative who was friendly, knowledgeable, and clearly passionate about the brand. He even messaged me over the weekend with an Instagram post featuring a model I was considering. The interaction felt genuine and personal — like talking to a friend rather than a salesperson.

I may not buy a Fears just yet, but this experience left a strong impression. For anyone focused solely on movements and specs, I think you’re missing the point and the unique selling point of Fears — its heritage, story, craftsmanship, and people. In my view, that’s the real value of the brand.