British watch brand Fears has revealed new dial colours for one of its primary offerings, the Brunswick 40. The new variants are the Aurora with a mother-of-pearl dial, and the Copper Salmon with its eponymous metallic finish. But the two are not just cosmetic updates as the model has also undergone some improvements, including a larger 40 mm case and a novel typeface employed for the numerals.

Initial thoughts

Since the re-establishment of the Fears brand six years ago, I have always held an appreciation for the vintage-inspired design of the Brunswick in particular, with its cushion-shaped case and the subtle dial detailing. The highlight among the new additions would be the Aurora, which stands out from the rest of the Fears catalogue. Its mother-of-pearl dial that is comprised of two parts and finished by hand, giving each dial a unique look.

The Aurora

Having said that, the large case size of 40 mm does leave the new Brunswick somewhat substantial especially given its shape, bringing to mind to the Panerai Radiomir Quaranta. And with a case height of about 11 mm – not thick but not thin either – the case will sit fairly tall on the wrist.

The pricing of the new Brunswick depends on the dial: the Copper Salmon is priced at £3,550 with a strap, while the Aurora is available for £3,850, with either being approximately £200 more with the bracelet. These prices are consistent with the existing models in the current collection.

Considering the intrinsic features of the Brunswick – a steel case, ETA movement and so on – the retail price is fair though not quite a bargain. However, add the recognisable and thoughtful Fears aesthetic into the mix and the value proposition improves enough to set this apart from most similarly-spec’ed watches in the price segment.

The Copper Salmon

Salmon and mother-of-pearl

The latest Brunswick pair represent the most recent additions to the time-only lineup that was launched in 2018 in a more compact 38 mm size. Two years down the line, the collection was subsequently expanded with a significantly larger 40 mm model and a variety of dial options, namely blue, silver, and even flamingo pink. The 40 mm case is cushion-shaped and 11.06 mm high, while its screw-down “onion” crown at three features an embossed Fears’ cypher. 

The first of the new models is the Aurora, which has a hand-cut mother-of-pearl dial with a unique blue lacquered finish and rhodium-treated numerals. The other, Copper Salmon, previously available as a smaller 38 mm model, now features a vertically brushed inner section and a sandblasted outer section that accentuated by black gold-coated numerals. 

Except for the newly offered colour variations, the dials maintain a resemblance to the original model, incorporating the same design elements, which include applied numerals in the brand’s Edwin typeface and distinctive bevelled hands.

Similar to the existing models in the Brunswick collection, both timepieces have a closed case back and are powered by the ETA 2824-2 movement. The movement has been modified to omit the date function, leaving it without a “ghost date” position of the crown. The movement is also enhanced with a custom rotor featuring a Bristol flower, the flower of Fears’ home city.

The screw-down crown with the Fear’s cypher

Key facts and price

Fears Brunswick 40 Aurora and Copper Salmon

Diameter: 40 mm
Height: 11.06 mm
Material: Stainless steel
Crystal: Sapphire
Water resistance: 150 m

Movement: Modified ETA 2824-2
Functions: Hours, minutes and central seconds
Winding: Automatic
Frequency: 28,800 beats per hour (4 Hz)
Power reserve: 40 hours

Strap: Five-linked bracelet with folding clasp or calf leather strap

Limited edition: No
Availability: Direct from Fears or its authorised retailers
Price: 

Copper Salmon: £3,550 (strap); £3,750 (bracelet) including taxes
Aurora: £3,850 (strap); £4,050 (bracelet) including taxes

For more information, visit Fearswatches.com.