British Watchmakers’ Day has quickly become one of the most important gatherings for independent watch brands in the United Kingdom. Although 2026 marked the first year that MVS Watches attended the event, it was clear from the moment we walked through the doors that the show has grown significantly since its inaugural edition in 2024.
Held at Lindley Hall, the historic Royal Horticultural Hall on Elverton Street in Westminster, London, British Watchmakers’ Day 2026 brought together more than 40 British watch brands alongside collectors, enthusiasts and industry professionals. A key attraction of the event was the release of 26 special edition pieces created exclusively for attendees, giving visitors the rare opportunity to purchase watches that would never be sold through normal retail channels.
The atmosphere throughout the day was energetic and crowded in the best possible way. Tables were constantly surrounded by collectors examining watches, speaking directly with founders, and trying to secure one of the limited pieces released for the event.
It felt less like a traditional watch fair and more like a celebration of the rapidly growing British watchmaking community.
We captured a short recap of the day while walking the floor at Lindley Hall. Watch our British Watchmakers’ Day recap on YouTube.
British Watchmakers’ Day is organised by the Alliance of British Watch & Clock Makers, a trade organisation dedicated to supporting and promoting the UK’s horological industry. The event brings together brands that design, assemble or manufacture watches and clocks within Britain.
While Switzerland still dominates the global watch industry, the UK has seen a quiet resurgence in recent years. A new generation of independent brands has emerged, combining traditional horology with contemporary design and storytelling.
British Watchmakers’ Day has become the annual focal point for that movement.
As a UK-based pre-owned watch retailer that regularly works with independent brands, attending British Watchmakers’ Day provided a rare opportunity to see many of these watches side by side and speak directly with the people behind them.
Location: Lindley Hall, Royal Horticultural Halls, Westminster, London
Date: Saturday 7 March 2026
Organiser: Alliance of British Watch & Clock Makers
Brands attending: 40+ British watch and clock brands
Special edition releases: 26 watches created exclusively for the event
With dozens of brands exhibiting across Lindley Hall, there was plenty to see. Some watches stood out immediately for their craftsmanship, design, or historical significance.
One of the most striking pieces at the event was not a wristwatch at all, but a mechanical clock.
The Three Train Skeleton Clock from Sinclair Harding drew attention throughout the day thanks to its intricate architecture and traditional craftsmanship. Each plate of the movement is individually cut from solid brass before being edge filed, smoothed, burnished and electroplated. Every wheel, arbor, lever and detent is finished by hand, creating a mechanism that feels closer to mechanical sculpture than conventional timekeeping.
The movement itself is an eight day design powered by three mainsprings. Each spring operates through its own fusee and chain system, delivering consistent torque to the gear train. The going train is regulated by a half-second deadbeat escapement paired with an Invar pendulum rod assembly.
The pendulum bob is visible beneath the plates, adding further motion to an already mesmerising piece of engineering.
Standing in front of the clock, watching the gears and escapement in motion, it was easy to understand why pieces like this remain so compelling even in an age dominated by wristwatches.
Also displayed on the Sinclair Harding stand was the “La Colonne du Temps” Mark II, a collaboration with legendary designer Jörg Hysek. The original Column of Time was the first mechanical sculpture to display time using vertically stacked rotating columns, making it one of the most visually distinctive mechanical clocks ever created.
Another standout piece came from Bristol-based watchmaker Fears.
The Brunswick 40 “1846 Edition” was created specifically for British Watchmakers’ Day 2026 and was one of the most talked about watches at the event. Crafted from hallmarked 925 sterling silver, the case gives the watch a distinctive warmth and weight that immediately separates it from standard stainless steel models.
Just 25 pieces were produced, each individually numbered.
The dial design pays tribute to the very first pocket watch produced by Edwin Fear in 1846, connecting the modern watch directly to the brand’s 19th century roots. Alongside the new release, Fears also displayed their previous British Watchmakers’ Day editions, including the 2025 “Edwardian Edition” and the 2024 “1924 Edition”.
Seeing all three watches together highlighted how the brand has used the event to build an evolving series that celebrates its long history while still feeling contemporary.
Beyond the limited editions, the event also offered a clear snapshot of which brands are currently leading the modern British watch scene.
Christopher Ward continues to demonstrate how far a British watch brand can go on the global stage. Their stand remained busy throughout the day, with visitors eager to see their latest releases and talk with the team.
The brand has successfully positioned itself between accessible luxury and serious horology, particularly with their recent in-house movements and the acclaimed Bel Canto.
Studio Underd0g attracted constant attention thanks to their colourful chronographs and playful design language. Their watches stand out immediately in a room full of more traditional designs, and the enthusiasm around the brand suggests they have tapped into something that resonates strongly with younger collectors.
Farer remains one of our personal favourites in the British watch landscape. Known for their bold use of colour and carefully considered dial layouts, the brand has built a reputation for producing distinctive watches that still respect traditional watchmaking proportions. The Baily and Burbidge Moonphase models are particular highlights for us.
William Wood Watches continues to tell one of the most compelling stories in the industry. The brand incorporates upcycled materials from firefighting equipment into its watches, including straps made from recycled fire hoses.
The concept has clearly resonated with collectors, and the brand’s growing recognition has even drawn attention from Hollywood actor Russell Crowe.
At the opposite end of the stylistic spectrum, Mr Jones Watches bring humour and artistic creativity to horology. Their collaborations with artists and illustrators produce watches that feel more like wearable art than traditional timepieces.
In a room filled with mechanical engineering, their playful approach offered a refreshing contrast.
Walking around Lindley Hall throughout the day, the sense of momentum behind British watchmaking was unmistakable.
While Switzerland remains the traditional powerhouse of horology, the UK’s independent watch scene has developed its own identity. Many brands combine British design with Swiss manufacturing expertise, while others are pushing further into genuine domestic production.
Events like British Watchmakers’ Day allow collectors to meet the people behind these brands, handle the watches in person and understand the stories that drive them.
For a community built largely on small independent companies, that direct connection is incredibly valuable.
British Watchmakers’ Day 2026 proved to be far more than a simple watch exhibition. It felt like a gathering of a growing community, bringing together designers, engineers, collectors and enthusiasts who all share a passion for modern British horology.
From intricate mechanical clocks to colourful independent watch brands, the event showcased just how diverse the UK watch industry has become.
For anyone interested in independent watchmaking, it is rapidly becoming one of the most important dates on the calendar.
British Watchmakers’ Day is an annual event organised by the Alliance of British Watch & Clock Makers that showcases brands designing or producing watches and clocks in the United Kingdom.
The event takes place at Lindley Hall, part of the Royal Horticultural Halls in Westminster, London.
Many brands release exclusive limited edition watches specifically for the event. In 2026, 26 special edition pieces were created for attendees.
Brands range from established names such as Christopher Ward and Fears to newer independent brands like Studio Underd0g, Farer, William Wood Watches and Mr Jones Watches.
If you are interested in discovering more independent watch brands, explore our guide to microbrand watches, where we regularly feature emerging watchmakers and limited production pieces.
You may also enjoy:
• Discover our full selection of microbrand watches
• Explore our current limited edition watches
• Read our guide to heritage revival watch brands
A first-hand look at British Watchmakers’ Day 2026 at Lindley Hall, featuring Fears, Christopher Ward, Farer and more British watch brands.
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