Editor’s pick — Accessory quick take: key highlight (movement/specs for watches, materials/finish, limited run, pricing tier) in 1–2 lines.
Here in London, we’ve just had one of the biggest watch events of our calendars: British Watchmakers’ Day. Running from 10:00 to 19:00 on March 7, 2026, the single-day gathering saw 1,850 watch-obsessed people pour through the doors of Lindley Hall in Westminster for some prime hands-on time with many of the most popular and creative brands the British scene has to offer. Many of the 48 brands exhibiting released limited-edition watches available only on the day, and for Christopher Ward, its new Loco 7326 sold out in just 24 minutes. A special shoutout goes to one owner who not only flew in from Florida but also camped out from 4 am to secure #1 of 10.
As you can probably imagine, Studio Underd0g made a lot of appearances on the wrist.
For 2026, the show showed a few key signs of evolution compared to last year, all of which helped improve the flow of people and the overall pacing of the day. First, brands could produce only limited editions in quantities of up to fifty, reducing the likelihood of large crowds gathering around a single watch. Second, this edition of the show ran three sessions instead of two like last year, and finally, the opening hours were extended by one hour.
As a result, the day maintained a consistent pace and sensible flow of footfall throughout each of the sold-out sessions. Even when brand tables were packed with guests, you could still easily get hands-on with watches and move freely around the event space, something that felt much improved compared to previous years. Despite this, people still started queuing an hour before the second and third sessions of the day. What can I say? London loves watches. And when it came to wrist spotting, well, the city didn’t disappoint once more.
The queue wrapped around the Lindley Hall and down the street for every session.
The Christopher Ward Loco 7326 that sold out in 24 minutes.
If you missed out on the watch, Loco coasters were available.
An early entry for best in show was James Dowling’s Charles Frodsham Double Escapement in white gold. Even in the UK, you don’t see these every day.
At the more entry-level point of luxury, Farer’s Three Hand Series III at 36mm powered by the La Joux-Perret G101 for just £925 is one hell of a sleeper.
Apier’s Gen 1.1 Underground, with its tube map-inspired dial and 3D-printed titanium case.
Admiring the Christopher Ward C60 Trident Lumière ‘Green Fifteen’ x Bark & Jack, straight from the wrist of the man himself, Adrian Barker.
Adrian took a shot of the newly launched Parmigiani Fleurier Tonda PF Agave Blue in rose gold.
Despite not bringing an LE exclusive for the show, Richard Benc of Studio Underd0g still rocked the newly announced Burnt Pepperoni watch, a collaboration with Time+Tide.
On the Underd0g stand, visitors had the opportunity to set the hands of the Guava watch, available exclusively to visitors of the brand’s UK-based assembly location, ‘The D0ghouse’.
All under the watchful eyes of Sam, Head of Assembly at Studio Underd0g and the star of their campaign announcing the D0ghouse.
Someone with a much steadier hand than me…
And that someone just happened to be Chris Alexander, @thedialartist, wearing his personal Rolex Oyster Perpetual with a custom meteorite dial.
A trio of Studio Underd0g tote bags—is it even a watch event without branded totes?
The Patek Philippe 5033P Annual Calendar Minute Repeater was somewhat of an unexpected find, although with it being on the wrist of our friend Mike Wood (yes, aside from vintage Rolex, he also has pieces like this), we expect nothing less.
With familiar faces such as Mike France, CEO of Christopher Ward, getting right in the mix with the guests, jumping between chats and hopping on videos.
Andrew McUtchen of Time & Tide also followed suit.
As the second session started, the crowds showed no signs of slowing down
Soon enough, it was time to grab a coffee from Bark & Jack’s pop-up coffee stand.
‘Drink coffee talk watches’.
During a coffee break, it was the perfect opportunity to take the Oracle Time watch-themed quiz.
If that’s not commitment to the game, I don’t know what is.
Clocks came in all varieties from Paulin’s Dazzle Clock…
…to Sinclair Hardings John Harrison Sea Clock.
A mid-sized Royal Oak is always going to get my attention, even more so when it’s on the wrist of Roger Smith.
Vertex is a real pillar of the British watchmaking landscape today. This example is the Bronze 36 Black.
The Vacheron Moonphase Retrograde Date, an unexpected yet massively appreciated spotting? Yes and yes.
William Wood always has a killer display at watch shows.
And they even had a display to talk about the recently uncovered die-hard watch collector, Russell Crowe. You can read more about his eclectic collection here.
Now thats how you transport watches safely.
A zoom-worthy Tudor Submariner Snowflake worn by David Richards of The Strap Tailor.
The brown hues of the Bremont Supermarine are lovely in the flesh.
The Mr Jones Watches ‘Short Fuse’.
Christopher Ward showed me a fun game they had come up with between a few of the team, appropriately called ‘Ticked Off’.
Of course, the Twelve by Christopher Ward was a popular choice for the team.
Anoma’s founder, Matteo Violet Vianello.
And the Anoma A1 Slate, worn by watch journalist Scarlett Baker.
With Anoma, its design first.
Not your normal G-Shock.
A piece unique Split Watch owned by Mike Christensen of British GQ.
On the topic of colour, Marloe Morar 310 is packed full of playful, unique touches.
Whereas the Omega Planet Ocean in Grey with its brushed case brings all the stealthy tones, seen here on the wrist of Fratello Watches Editor, Ben Hodges.
This baby Franck Muller Galet in white gold really highlights the diversity of collecting taste here in the UK.
For £495, its difficult to beat the Bamford Mayfair series.
Watches aside, the award for best single watch cases goes to?
Arken is another rightful fan favourite.
And its founder, Kenneth Lam, is an absolute gent.
A small break from modern proceedings with an impossible clean 1601, owned by Tom Heap of Christie’s.
Over at Roger Smith, a metal replica of the coaxial escapement was on display.
Along with a hand drawn image of a Series Six.
As well as a model of the coaxial escapement, this time being operated by a watchmaker from Roger Smith.
And for those curious, he was wearing an old Christopher Ward in bronze.
Opposite Roger Smith, Bremont presented its latest release, the Altitude MB Meteor ‘Felix The Cat’ limited edition.
A personal favourite of mine from the show was the mirrored dial of Ripple from Edward Christopher.
The entire collection has a Y2K throwback feel that lands perfectly in 2026.
On the vintage front, a rare silver-cased Roy King was spotted—a name and brand people don’t talk about enough, if you ask me.
Here’s one you won’t see anywhere else anytime soon: a ‘crew edition’ Studio Underd0g made exclusively for those who worked on the H. Moser & Cie. and Studio Underd0g collaboration in 2024, worn by Magnus Swann of Studio Underd0g.
Magnus, George, and Richard of Studio Underd0g posing for that important team photo (sadly, the rest of the Studio Underd0g team couldn’t make it).
Beaucroft’s founder, Matt Herd rocking his Seeker 37mm.
Timor offers serious bang for buck in the classic field watch department.
And few can truly compete with Mr Jones Watches in the playful game.
Our friends from Time+Tide were serving up their latest pizza-themed collaborations with Studio Underd0g.
And the packaging is on point.
Finally, Nicholas Bowman-Scargill pulls me aside towards the end of the day to show me something a little special on his wrist: his custom order 18ct yellow gold Brunswick with solid matching hands.
See you next year, BWD.
Source: www.hodinkee.com — original article published 2026-03-16 19:00:00.
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