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Never one to shy away from their heritage as a British watchmaker, Fears has cooked up yet another savvy partnership that highlights their ability to innovate while holding down a cohesive aesthetic. This time, however, the collaboration isn’t with another watchmaker or boutique. Rather, it comes to us in the form of a watch built for “A Great British Odyssey” in which ultra endurance athlete Angus Collins will attempt to become the first person to complete an unsupported, solo row around mainland Great Britain. Fears has signed on as Collins’ official timekeeping partner, and has designed and produced a purpose-built timepiece for the task—a special version of their Brunswick 40mm, the EXPERIMENTAL 01.
A savvy British watch fan may pause here and say, “hang on—since when does Fears do tool watches?” The EXPERIMENTAL 01 is the brand’s first foray into the ultra-utility category of timekeeping since the 1970s, and though it’s based on the structure of the Brunswick 40 (originally launched in October 2022), it also features eight highlighted improvements that make it purpose built for Collins’ task: a fixed bar attachment (laser-welded onto the lugs), a satinised case finish, 300 meters of water resistance, a glare resistant dial, Grade X2 Super-LumiNova on the hands and appliques, ultra-contrast hands, an MN Elasticated strap, and rigorous in-house precision time testing.
Style-wise, the EXPERIMENTAL 01 draws heavily from its source material, the Brunswick 40. The 316L cushion-shaped stainless steel case measures in at the same 40mm diameter, and is unmistakably a Fears design. Similarly, the Edwin numbers and indices, bevelled and applied chapter ring, and red and black print details echo the distinctive design elements that decorate the brand’s lineup. The EXPERIMENTAL 01 wears a “Challenger White” matte lacquer dial with an anti-glare finish, and a curved sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating on the inside and outside.
Inside the EXPERIMENTAL 01 is a La Joux-Perret G101 automatic movement with a 68-hour power reserve and a custom-decorated rotor featuring a “Bristol Flower” design. The aforementioned precision time testing promises an impressive accuracy of 0/+1 seconds per day, allowing Fears the rare opportunity to flex not just their design muscles, but their ability to craft a hyper-accurate and robust tool as well. Capping it all off, of course, is a flamboyant orange custom Erika’s Originals MN elasticated textile strap with satinised and engraved hardware, adding a touch of rugged sportiness to the watch that feels appropriate given its aspirations as an aquatic adventure piece.
Here’s the bad news, though: the EXPERIMENTAL 01 isn’t for sale, and was made just for use by Collins’ in his Odyssey. Still, Fears hasn’t forgotten about us: alongside the EXPERIMENTAL 01, they’ve also unveiled a new Brunswick 40 model, dubbed the “Odyssey Edition”. It features the same hardy movement as the EXPERIMENTAL 01, a “Challenger White” dial, and Fears Blue print details. Strap options include both the orange textile strap from the EXPERIMENTAL 01, and a Fears Blue textured FKM rubber strap with easy-release spring bars.
It’s no secret that I’m a big fan of Fears and their ethos as a company; still, the EXPERIMENTAL 01 and the Brunswick 40 “Odyssey Edition” took me by surprise. Pairing Fears’ penchant for sporty dress watches with ultra-endurance athletics was not on my bingo card for 2025, but I’m excited to see how both Collins’ adventure and his EXPERIMENTAL 01 fare on Britain’s waterways.
In classic Fears fashion—i.e., with a flair for class and celebration— the EXPERIMENTAL 01 itself will be presented to Angus Collins’ at an event hosted by Time+Tide’s London Discovery Studio later today. For the rest of us, the Brunswick 40 “Odyssey Edition” is available now, retailing for approximately $4,709 (GBP 3,550) and can be purchased through Fears directly or their network of authorized dealers. Fears
