When I think of Farer, I think first of colour. Often playful–and frequently inspired–Farer use uncommon palettes to create memorable dial designs. And with the latest launches in its Manual Wound Cushion Case Collection, the brand has done just that in both the Durham and the Mansfield. What the watchmaker has proven with the Lethbridge, on the other hand, is that colour need not be offbeat nor unconventional to make an impact. And sometimes, you need only one.
At a glance, the Meredith chronograph feels like a matured take on the classic Farer chronograph formula. A bevy of bright colors aren’t immediately apparent, the copper/salmon dial is chic and of the moment, and the applied numerals do their best to remain near black at all times. Even the hands have taken on a slightly more demure shape. A look at the other two watches in this family, the Swann and the Jackson reveals a similar story.
The Horological British Invasion is in full swing. Unless you’ve been intentionally shielding yourself from watch releases for the last, say, five years, you’ve certainly heard of brands like Bremont and Christopher Ward. In stature, those brands may be considered The Beatles and The Rolling Stones of this watch wave, but just like the lesser-known bands of the 1960s cultural phenomenon, there are plenty of watch brands worthy of your attention. One of the most exciting brands, in my opinion, is Farer.
It’s unclear as to when you should stop referring to a company as a “microbrand”, but the conundrum also brings a sense of sheepish pride. Farer’s growth has been exponential in the past few years, with their command of colourful yet classy releases helping to sell out almost all of their releases cross a stream of new models and colour schemes. Here to prove their recognition now belongs beyond “micro” level are just five of their releases from the past year alone.
If Steve Zissou were to own a watch in 2022, it’d be this one. The Farer Thurso shows how a watch company can continue to evolve their looks while not straying too far from principle aesthetics of the brand.