Introducing Fears Bristol Launches the Brunswick 38 Midas II with Gold-Plated Case & Dial

English watchmakers are renowned for their distinctive and high-level craftsmanship, a reputation that has been cultivated over centuries. Long before Swiss watches gained recognition for ultimate precision and pedigree in horology, the world’s finest clocks and watches were made in Britain. Among these esteemed British watchmakers is Fears Bristol, a brand with a rich heritage dating back to 1846. Fears Bristol distinguishes itself by handcrafting elegant timepieces, maintaining a tradition of excellence that is a key in the world of horology.

We have covered some interesting releases from Fears Bristol, including the Brunswick 38 '1924 Edition' for the British Watchmakers Day and its collaboration with Perpétuel Gallery, the brand's agent in the UAE. Now, Fears introduces a new version of its iconic model, the Brunswick, with a release that reintroduces gold to the collection after the Midas version was discontinued in 2018: the Brunswick Midas II.

This watch comes with a luxurious 22k yellow gold-plated case, perfectly complemented by a frosted 18k yellow gold champagne dial. The gold-on-gold theme is inspired by a 1973 watch from the Fears Archive. The watch measures 38mm x 11.84mm and features a cushion-shaped case with no flat surfaces, available with either an open or closed case back. The case showcases a blend of brushed and polished finishes. Its curves are machined from 316L stainless steel and then plated with heavy layers of 22k yellow gold by one of the UK's leading specialists. As the brand mentioned, the same specialist applied the gold plating to the prototype London 2012 Olympic Torch used to promote those momentous games.

The dial is hand-finished in a champagne hue and layered with 18k yellow gold. The surface of the dial features a frosted pattern with a gentle sparkle, crafted in Germany. This main surface finish is complemented by a snailed finish on the small seconds sub-dial at 6 o’clock. The numerals are applied to the dial by hand, diamond polished to a mirror shine, and coated in Black Gold, a special alloy that appears black when gold is mixed with another metal, such as cobalt, to make a black gold alloy. The dial also showcases the iconic ‘Fears’-shaped hands made in Germany, which are skeletonized and finished in blue using PVD.

The watch is powered by the manual winding ETA 7001 movement. Originally designed in the 1970s, this movement has maintained its popularity due to its reliability. It features blued screws and Côtes de Genève striping on its rhodium-plated bridges. Operating at 21,600 vph (3Hz), it offers a power reserve of 40 hours.

The watch comes with two straps: a pale blue Alcantara strap and a dark blue Barenia strap, both featuring a gold-plated pin buckle. This model is a limited production but not limited edition, and orders placed now will begin shipping from early September. The price is £3,550, including British VAT, which is equivalent to AED 16,750.

For more information please visit Fears Bristol’s official website.