Freese 53

Agreed. I would have actually liked this watch if it didn't try to be something it's not.
Counterpoint-

The 53 is but a step in the road toward Simon's goal of producing his own "English Watch". That is, a watch built by entirely by hand, and entirely in house. We used design pointers we liked, not to try and imitate anything, just to make us happy. We liked the look.



It is Simons effort to produce a watch that is appealing in a way other microbrands, (emphasise BRANDs) are not. One thing we can say is that it is a splendid effort by one man to create a unique watch based on his own hand work.

The dial is hand made in house - that means the plate is cut, feet welded, and the dial is then painted, printed and lumed, all by hand. Its not perfect. We can now make the dials perfect, but we dont. As simon put it, "I try to manage the imperfections to be appealing". I understand if its not to taste of some, thats ok.

We are looking at manufacturing more componants, and we have made progress on an in house case. Hands are surprisingly difficult to find a reliable source that can actually deliver. And try as we might, we cannot make them ourselves - yet,- though of course they are lumed in house.

So really this watch is part of a bigger story. We are not trying to make anyone buy this becasue it looks like something else - almost all watches today look like another brands watch.




Recently almost every time I visit Instagram there are a bunch of earnest bearded designers telling me they have produced a watch that is special in some way or another, only to present yet another mass produced item, often with a quartz movement.


These are five prototypes - the dials on four have been re printed, but mine was not. Because I like it.





All have sold, so the next available ones will be the December production.

Just wanted to fill you in with the back story.