11 DAYS OF LONDONERS: Day 5 – Stu Finlayson, Founder of Farer Watches
Time+TideEditor’s note: ‘11 Days of Londoners’ continues with a UK-based microbrand you likely know and love, none other than Farer Watches co-founder Stu Finlayson.
The past 10 years has seen a host of brilliant British brands pop up and Farer is certainly one of the most exciting. The spirit of adventure and exploring is at the heart of its ethos, thanks to co-founders Stu Finlayson, Ben Lewin, Jono Holt and Paul Sweetenham. Finlayson talks us through his Farer journey and a quest for Farer watches to seek ambition beyond the ordinary.
The story behind the watch I am wearing today
The Farer Maze is from our recently released GMT Bezel collection. I love this watch because of the white tile-effect dial, which is reminiscent of a swimming pool. I’ve just put it on our Oyster-style bracelet, which has made it feel like a new watch. It’s named after Maze Hill – one of the three roads that surround the Royal Observatory at Greenwich in London, the home of GMT.
Other watches I have in my collection
I have a few vintage watches, mainly from the ’60s, but nothing particularly expensive. A tropical dial 1960s Angelus chronograph Cal. 215, a super cool silver dial 1969 Lip chronograph, a small but lovely 1950s Lemania chronograph, a simple but beautiful black dial 1940s Omega Cal. 26.5 T2 and my personal favourite dial – a rare 1960s Le Jour Racer with crazy lume.
I love watches because …
I love that they are timeless. The fundamentals of mechanical horology have not really changed since they were first invented. I also love that my vintage watches existed in a world before I was born – where someone I never knew would have treasured it in a totally different era. Like cars and art, they transcend generations.
My favourite watch from 2020 is …
The reissue of the Chronomaster Aviator Sea Diver from Nivada Grenchen. The black dial is nice, but I prefer the white dial design and I love the stubby hour hand with its wide arrow tip – a great heritage brand and a decent price.
I’m biased, but I’d also say the new Bradfield Pilot that Farer just launched. It looks like a classic pilot watch dial until the sun goes down, when it comes alive with a sky-blue lume dial.
Tell us an entertaining watch-related anecdote
I had a young guy come into our showroom with his dad to select a watch for his 18th birthday present. As I talked him through some of our automatic watches, he couldn’t get his head around the fact that they had no batteries. I think there is a new generation who find it hard to believe that a mechanical watch just keeps on ticking, without a charger in sight!
My personal style is …
I tend to dress casually (and pretty much the same!) most days – Levi 511s, Asket T-shirt, a navy work jacket and a pair of Common Projects/Hylo trainers with my Mackintosh/Patagonia on top if it’s wet or cold.
Someone I follow who has an admirable watch collection
David Sharp (@floatlite) has an incredible collection of watches, from an Alaska Project to an enormous Swatch collection, and he has been helping organise RedBar in London and around the UK. Also a shout-out to Chris who runs @time4apint – for beer lovers with a watch problem!