We’re a week away from the third annual British Watchmakers’ Day. A record 48 brands will showcase wares and share stories with the buying public. Of the brands exhibiting, 26 will also present limited-edition timepieces exclusive to attendees at the show. This time, new parameters are in place to limit each brand to 50 pieces of any special models for the day. This encourages buyers to seek out smaller brands, rather than big brands taking all the attention. Also, restrictions are in place to ensure pre-orders don’t deplete availability for ticket holders. Essentially, if you have a ticket, you have a good chance of getting something special at the show. But what to get? Well, I selected some top picks to discover. Be sure to check out the complete list of limited-edition options.
In the spacious and naturally lit Lindley Hall in Westminster, London, the British Watchmakers’ Day will get underway on March 7th. Not only is it exciting to go hands-on with online-order watches, but it’s also great to buy them in person, meet the makers, and discover the brand stories. While we may not have the headline-making releases like we did last year with the Fears × Studio Underd0g Gimlet, there are still plenty of enthusiast-driven timepieces that say something about the British Isles. Studio Underd0g will present its new Studio Underd0g × Time+Tide Burnt Pepper0ni and Classic Cheese. Alongside these watches is the new D0ghouse initiative, with attendees among the first to explore the new facility.
My list is not speculation or advice on which watches will appreciate on the pre-owned market. Not all watch buyers care about resale value. Instead, this selection is purely based on what interests me from a design or functional perspective.
Zero West H01 BWD Heritage Special — unique piece
Zero West turns 10 this year and unveils its first-ever in-house dial from its new dial-making facility. After a few years of establishing the printing process, Zero West launches its Union Jack-inspired dial appropriately at the event. This new one-off chronograph from Zero West recognizes the work of the Alliance of British Watch & Clock Makers. Because of this, it features the Alliance logo along with rev-counter sub-dials representing its new hiOctane motorsport range. The dial also includes the show date and the location coordinates, reflecting Zero West’s motto, “A time and place.”
I’m a big fan of this British brand, but I acknowledge that the old-style 44mm-diameter cases weren’t for everyone. However, last year’s 42mm case was a game-changer and appeals to a broad audience. The H01 BWD Heritage retains this 42mm dimension for its stainless steel case. Powered by the Valjoux-derived Sellita SW500, the Zero West H01 BWD Heritage Special will cost £4,995. Exclusively available on March 7th at the British Watchmakers’ Day as a one-off piece, this will likely sell quickly. All proceeds from the sale will go directly back into the Alliance. Check out the Zero West site here for other creations.
William Wood The Great Fire of London Watch — 50 pieces
William Wood was a firefighter and the grandfather of Jonny Garrett, who founded the watch brand in his honor. For the latest limited edition for the British Watchmakers’ Day, William Wood launches the Great Fire of London watch. No, the watch doesn’t pay homage to the devastating fire of 1666; rather, it honors the brave people who volunteered to slow the spread and protect landmarks. The result of this devastation brought about the establishment of dedicated fire brigades.
The dial resembles the iconic clock face on the Elizabeth Tower, which was built after another London fire in 1834. The 41mm 316L stainless steel case and unidirectional aluminum bezel have a brushed finish and gold-tone details. On the case back is a genuine £2 collector’s coin commemorating the 1666 fire. Beneath this case back is the Seiko NH35 automatic movement, a good workhorse for this commemorative timepiece. Available at the show for £995, this William Wood watch is limited to 50 pieces.
Studio Underd0g × Time+Tide Burnt Pepper0ni and Classic Cheese — unlimited
OK, these new pizza editions are strictly not limited to the British Watchmakers’ Day. Our buddies at Time+Tide will also present them before the show at their studios in Melbourne, Australia, on March 5th. But the event will be the first time it’s available in the UK. Breaking the rules, it also won’t be a limited edition by number but restricted to buying via Richard Benc (Studio Underd0g founder) and Andrew McUtchen (Time+Tide founder). Don’t worry; you’ll spot them with the chef’s hats and pizza boxes.
The watches are 01Series chronograph designs with pizza-themed dials. The Classic Cheese variant plays it safe with an orange-to-yellow ombré dial and a pale pink cut-out segment between 2 and 4 o’clock to resemble a missing slice. The Burnt Pepper0ni goes all out with a black PVD coating, a first for the 01Series, and a crispy dial design. I can feel my teeth hurting just looking at that burnt crust. The Classic Cheese will cost £625, while the Burnt Pepper0ni will retail for £700.
Edward Christopher Ripple — 25 pieces
Edward Christopher not only brings a limited-edition model but also an entirely new model range. The Ripple is unlike anything Edward Christopher has made before, yet it still emphasizes stunning colors. The 38mm stainless steel case mixes elements of dress and sports watches with a captivating dial. The 3D mirror dial mimics rippling water radiating from the brand’s logo. Notches around the bezel provide the hour markers without disturbing the mesmerizing effect.
There is a special pre-order price of £740 for the standard editions, available only until tomorrow. Get them while you can, as the cost will revert to £925 after March 1st, 2026, at 9:00 PM GMT. Colors include Blossom Pink, Imperial Violet, Tropical Green, and Candy Red — hues selected by community feedback. But the best is reserved for the stunning 25-piece limited edition with a mirrored dial and violet hands. Given the dial’s complexity and limited nature, this Special Edition Ripple is £1,100. But you still get the seamless bracelet design, a recessed crown at 4 o’clock, and Super-LumiNova BGW9 applied to the hands. Powering this watch is the Miyota 9039 automatic movement, with a 42-hour power reserve and custom rotor with luminescent accents. I can’t wait to see this one in person, so check it out exclusively at the British Watchmakers’ Day.
Fears Brunswick 40 “1846 Edition” — 25 pieces
Fears has a habit of bringing sterling silver cases to the British Watchmakers’ Day. The inaugural show had the Brunswick 38 “1924 Edition” with classic skeletonized “pipette” hands. Last year was the Brunswick 40.5 Jump Hour “Edwardian Edition,” with a silver case on a striking red Alcantara strap. This year continues the trend with the previously announced Fears Brunswick 40 “1846 Edition.” This Fears Brunswick celebrates 180 years since the brand’s founding and 10 years since the revival.
This edition is perhaps the most classically inclined Fears wristwatch, featuring elegant Roman numerals and a thermally blued handset, including a spade-shaped hour hand. Eschewing some of the traits of more modern Brunswick watches, the 1846 Edition celebrates its past but still feels contemporary. The diamond-set crown denotes the precious metal case, a subtle yet considered detail for owners to enjoy. Limited to 25 pieces, the Fears Brunswick 40 “1846 Edition” will cost £4,350.
Christopher Ward C1 Loco 7326 — 10 pieces
Christopher Ward is unveiling a 10-piece limited-edition C1 Loco that completely transforms the mechanical display. Breaking away from the angular twelve facets of the C12 Loco, the C1 Loco is far more traditional. With a smooth, round case, the free-sprung balance wheel takes center stage. The Union Jack motif emanates from its central pinion on a gray base, and a domed dial indicates the time with Roman numerals and patriotic colors.
The C1 Loco 7326 also pays homage to the date of the event with its name and follows 2024’s C1 Bel Canto 9324 and last year’s C1 Moonphase. All pieces feature the Union Jack dial engraving, which establishes a strong theme. The Christopher Ward C1 Loco 7326 is exclusively available to guests at the British Watchmakers’ Day for £4,995.
Apiar Gen 1.1 Underground — 3 pieces
Last in my shortlist is the Apiar Gen 1.1 Underground. The name refers to the London Underground railway service, aka the “Tube.” Specifically, it’s the color-coded maps that show which lines operate in which districts and which stations they serve. Taking inspiration from the user-friendly map, dial artist Chris Alexander teams up with Apiar to redefine its dial designs.
I covered Apiar’s 3D-printed Grade 23 titanium case with generative dials here. While the organic spider-web dial was interesting, it lacked artistic flair. It felt very industrial, shaped by science and mathematics rather than heart and soul. Chris Alexander creates a multi-colored dial with enamel paint to restore that human touch to design. The Apiar Gen 1.1 Underground is limited to three examples at £3,000 each.
Final thoughts
The above list is not exhaustive and only covers seven of the 26 brands showcasing limited/special editions. And that’s only a subset of the total 48 brands exhibiting at the British Watchmakers’ Day. I’ve only gone hands-on with a couple of the watches pre-show, so my choices may change once I see them in the metal. I will follow the show with live pictures and reflect on how the day went.
At the time of publication, tickets remain available for British Watchmakers’ Day 2026 in the 4:00–7:00 PM time slot. They cost £15 for non-members and are free for Alliance Club members. I hope to see you there.
Ben Hodges
2026-02-28 06:00:00