Introducing: The Fears Brunswick 40 Odyssey Edition And Experimental 01
As watch fans, we’re used to brands and timepieces being attached to impressive feats. Some examples are jumping from planes, diving to ridiculous depths, and shooting off into space. Now Fears has opted to sponsor the Great British Odyssey, an attempt by record-setting ocean rower Angus Collins to row unassisted around the United Kingdom. The new Fears Odyssey Edition commemorates this, and the brand has produced a special Experimental 01 model for Collins on his journey.
As mentioned, it’s not novel for watch companies to attach their names or specific models to exploration or sporting attempts. Today’s new Fears Odyssey Edition is most impressive, though, because it supports a charity for mental health. It also celebrates an upcoming rowing attempt by Collins to circumnavigate the United Kingdom without aid. Let’s take a look at the limited edition and the bespoke one-off piece that will accompany Collins.
Angus Collins
This week, I had the opportunity to attend the debut of the Fears Odyssey Edition at the Time+Tide Studio UK in London. Admittedly, I expected a typical watch presentation and a quick story about the upcoming rowing attempt. What I heard was far more moving. Collins is a world record holder due to his ocean rowing exploits. However, he shared a personal story about his suicide attempt at the age of 30 after completing the Pacific row. It was a stark reminder that even those who have achieved success and seem healthy on the outside may be struggling internally.
Fortunately, Collins received help during his crisis, and he now seeks to raise money for a charity that aids men during suicidal crises by rowing around the UK without assistance. James’ Place runs treatment centers in London and Liverpool to provide free therapy. Collins is attempting to raise £250,000 for the charity, a meaningful sum considering that the cost of treatment is approximately £1,870 per person (we heard that it costs the UK government nearly £250,000 to provide the same therapy for one person!).
Creating watches in support of the world record attempt
The evening’s attendees weren’t the only folks moved by Collins’ story and record attempt. Nicolas Bowman-Scargill, the owner of Fears, decided to sponsor Collins on his upcoming Great British Odyssey attempt. However, the idea expanded to creating a bespoke set of watches to accompany Collins on his voyage. Then, Bowman-Scargill opted to create a limited-edition piece commemorating the attempt, with a portion of the proceeds benefiting the same charity. I had the opportunity to see the not-for-sale Experimental 01 and the Odyssey Edition.
The Experimental 01, inspiring the Fears Odyssey Edition
Fears created an impressive watch for Collins’ upcoming June rowing attempt. Although work on a bespoke piece only began in late January, six impressive watches were completed. The normal Brunswick 40 may look dressy, but it’s a robust watch with a depth rating of 150 meters. The Experimental 01, however, brings greater capabilities.
Fears increased the water resistance rating to 300 meters and laser-welded the spring bars to the 316L stainless steel case. The brand also needed a comfortable strap and turned to Erika’s Originals for the orange MN elasticated accessory.
A low-glare, luminous dial was necessary to help prevent distractions during the adventure. Bowman-Scargill explained the challenges of getting a small batch of dials quickly. Help came within days from another brand in the British watch industry, Mr Jones Watches. The squared roundel on the dial has significance. In nautical speak, it is the whiskey flag. This indicates a need for medical help, a nod to the purpose behind the rowing attempt.
Impressive accuracy
The Experimental 01 uses the automatic La Joux-Perret G101. In this application, though, Fears worked with James Harris of Harris Horology to tune and test the movements. The results are amazing! Harris was able to achieve an accuracy of -1/+0 seconds per day using the Fears Precision Time Testing process. Each piece underwent weeks of testing and was exposed to different temperatures and pressures. Collins will have three watches onboard with him during the attempt in case of any problems. Sadly, at this time, none of the Experimental 01 pieces will be for sale, but this is the reason for the Odyssey Edition.
The Fears Brunswick 40 Odyssey Edition
Fears has created 100 numbered pieces commemorating Collins’ upcoming solo attempt. The watches use the Brunswick 40 case, which has a 40mm diameter, a 46.5mm lug-to-lug, and a mere 11.06mm thickness. Each piece will come with an orange elasticized Erika’s Originals strap matching the Experimental 01’s. This threads through normal, removable 20mm spring bars. A Fears blue FKM rubber strap from Delugs is also included and has a signed leaf-spring clasp.
Regarding the dial on the Odyssey Edition, the styling is similar to the bespoke piece with a matte white finish. Luminous hands and indexes with milled blue borders ensure legibility in all environments. A screw-down crown and all-steel case back help ensure the stated 150m depth rating.
While the watch lacks the whiskey flag on the dial, it can be found on the case back. Each piece contains an engraved map of Collins’ proposed clockwise route around the UK — an estimated 2,000 miles over 50 days. Inside, the Fears Odyssey Edition uses the same top-grade Ja Loux-Peret G101 automatic movement. It has niceties such as Côtes de Genève finishing, rhodium plating, and blued screws. The movement also has a frequency of 28,800vph and an impressive 68-hour power reserve. The Brunswick 40 Odyssey Edition costs £3,550 (including VAT), with a portion of the proceeds heading to charity. The watch is on sale now and will begin shipping in July after the rowing attempt.
An impressive collaboration
The watch industry is rife with collaborations. Some are good, and some leave me cold. The Fears Odyssey Edition and the support of Angus Collins feels like a genuine pursuit. It moved me, and I look forward to watching his progress and listening to his broadcasts as he rows around the UK. Regarding the watches, the Experimental 01 is impressive and shows that this small English brand may have more in store for us at some point. The limited edition is attractive, not at all kitschy, and a reminder of a fantastic cause. If you are interested in supporting Collins’ attempt and donating to James’ Place, visit the following page for more information.
