The Fears Brunswick 40 Aurora and Copper Salmon bring novelty and revisit a brand-saving colour
Fergus Nash- The Fears Brunswick 40 Aurora and Copper Salmon expand their catalogue of vintage-contemporary fusion.
- The Copper Salmon dial revisits the 38mm Brunswick Salmon, which saved the company in 2020.
- The Aurora dial is made from tiered sections of mother-of-pearl.
If nothing else, Fears are a brand who know how to bring vintage and contemporary elements together with outstanding elegance. That’s true for all of their models, however since Nicholas Bowman-Scargill resurrected his family brand in 2016, the Fears Brunswick has been their most emblematic watch. Paired with the updated 40mm Brunswick case from last year, Fears have released two new references. One represents Aurora Borealis, and another harkens back to the model which saved the company back in 2020.
The 2022 release of the Fears Brunswick 40 was a great step of revision, moving away from the archival (pun intended) inspiration to a more modern-looking watch. The 40mm, squared-off cushion case reassures its wearer that it’s not a vintage watch, although the 46.5mm lug-to-lug length keeps it wearable on most wrists. The 150m water resistance is also significant, further confirming the new case’s robustness. The angles are more rigid, especially in the lugs, and the wide, polished bezel accentuates the difference in the brushed finishes.
The case of the Brunswick 40 is not the only component which has changed however, as the dial looks pretty radically different with only a few updates. The centre of the dial has a sunken section, changing up the finishing techniques depending on the model. The skeletonised hands which were one of the most recognisable features of the Brunswick have been filled in, and the small seconds subdial deleted in favour of a centre seconds with a needle shape and counterbalance. Finally, the minute track is more boldly printed with arrows at the hour markers, which are still applied for a great sense of depth. The two new references begin with the Aurora, crafted from two unique sections of mother-of-pearl tinted blue. The second is a new version of the Copper Salmon dial, which brought Fears into the limelight back in 2020 and saved the company from the verge of ruin.
The Fears Brunswick 40 Aurora and Copper Salmon are powered by ETA 2824-2 movements, modified with a Bristol flower on the automatic winding rotor. You could easily argue that a watch at this price point shouldn’t have such a common movement, however the alternative way to look at it is that the movement isn’t all-important. When you’re wearing the watch, the case and dial are the parts you look at, and those are the things which should be to the highest quality. The ETA 2824-2 is known to be reliable and affordable to service, which is adequate enough to enjoy the watch as a whole. Its 38-hour power reserve and 4Hz beat rate are perfect for daily wearers, and it’s clear from interviews that Fears prioritise their customer experiences above all else.
The Fears Brunswick 40 Aurora and Copper Salmon
The Fears Brunswick 40 Aurora and Copper Salmon are now available from Fears’ website and select retailers. Price: £3,550 (Copper Salmon on strap), £3,750 (Copper Salmon on bracelet), £3,850 (Aurora on strap), £4,050 (Aurora on bracelet)
| Brand | Fears |
| Model | Brunswick 40 |
| Case Dimensions | 40mm (D) x 11.06mm (T) x 46.5mm (LTL) |
| Case Material | Stainless steel |
| Water Resistance | 150 metres |
| Crystal(s) | Sapphire |
| Dial | Blue mother-of-pearl (Aurora) Copper (Copper Salmon) |
| Lug Width | 20mm |
| Strap | Five-link steel bracelet with butterfly clasp Leather strap with steel hardware |
| Movement | ETA 2824-2, automatic |
| Power Reserve | 38 hours |
| Functions | Hours, minutes, seconds |
| Availability | Available now |
| Price | Starting from £3,550 |