Farer Archives - Watch Dandy

5 of the best microbrands

In my opinion, microbrands are one of the best things to happen to an often conservative watch industry. The trend of enthusiasts leveraging the power of subcontracted production at a smaller scale has brought watch fans some truly original designs, as well as ones that recall vintage favourites that are out of reach to the … Continued

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The 10 best British watch brands helping the revival of a great industry

The go-to word for instant credibility these days is ‘Swiss made’, and while Japanese, German and even Chinese brands have made strides to topple the neutral state’s dominance, it is thanks to the once flourishing British watchmaking industry that us watch lovers have a hobby to obsess over today. From Mudge’s 1755 lever escapement and … Continued

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The 5 best affordable mechanical chronographs under $3,000

If you’re looking to build a well-rounded watch collection, a mechanical chronograph has to be in the conversation. You could go all in with a blue-chip piece such as a vintage Speedmaster, Daytona, or Navitimer, but that might eat up a good chunk of your discretionary budget. Luckily, it’s a great time to add a … Continued

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Introducing – The Cool and Compact Farer 36mm Three Hand Collection

It would be hard to categorise Farer as still part of the newcomers from the micro-brand scene. Established in 2015, the brand has made a name for itself and built a rather coherent collection comprising most of the “simple” complications – GMT, chrono, world time – with distinctive designs. A British brand, Farer is dedicated […]

Risky business: Are we ready for more microbrands going upmarket?

One of my favourite watch brands, Farer, recently added a new chronograph to their line-up. Called the Chrono-Classic, it follows a long line of chronographs released from the brand. Yet, this new release is not just another chronograph for Farer. This watch sees them pushing through a glass ceiling as a microbrand and going upmarket. … Continued

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Review – Farer Stanhope – A Classic Design and a Fun, Sophisticated Dial Give Farer’s 37mm Hand-Wound a Ton of Character

The United Kingdom seems to be a hotbed for independent watch brands these days with names like Vertex, Garrick, Bremont and Pinion, among many others. Farer Universal is a relative newcomer that takes inspiration from 1960’s and 1970’s watchmaking, adding colourful and sophisticated dials to a variety of styles. We reviewed their Aqua Compressor Endeavour last year and walked away impressed, and their most recent chronographs are right up there with established brands like Hamilton and Tissot (see our editorial on Microbrands vs. Accessible Established Brands). The Stanhope was introduced in 2018 with the brand’s smallest case to date and a hand-wound ETA movement, joining two others in the collection, the Lansdell and Hudson. Most of Farer’s portfolio contains automatic watches with a couple of quartz options, so the 37mm hand-wound collection stands out in both size and movement. The Stanhope proved to be the most popular of the trio with the first batch selling out quickly. Let’s take a closer look at this classic design with a contemporary twist.

Editorial – Microbrands vs. Accessible Established Brands – Are Newcomers Shaking up the Industry or Just Small Fish in a Big Pond?

It’s an interesting time to be a watch enthusiast. Fuelled by sites like Kickstarter, a phenomenon of inexpensive, quality movements and parts is unfolding, available with the immediateness only online media outlets can offer. Small startups (or microbrands) are producing compelling watches with capital raised via crowdfunding and online-only storefronts, minimizing overhead that established brands still […]

Introducing – Farer Launches Three Automatic Chronographs – Cobb, Eldridge and Segrave

You’d be hard pressed to find a more mature and unique watch company in the world of microbrands than London-based Farer Universal. Their production is predictably limited in number for a small brand, offering a maximum of 300 individual watches within most series (many are limited to 100) and they often sell out in a matter of months. They’re known for using a lot of colours and whimsical designs, yet maintain a sophistication and maturity that keep them from resembling expensive Swatch watches. With the exception of their initial quartz line, Farer always releases new watches in a series of three, all having very different dial designs that share a common case. Following up on the 37mm Hand-Wound series released a few months ago, the company just launched three automatic chronographs that continue their distinctive design language – The Cobb, Eldridge and Segrave.

Review – Farer Aqua Compressor Endeavour – A Modern Classic from a Colourful Brand

Dive watches are a dime a dozen these days. You can go high-end with a Panerai Luminor Submersible 1950 or Omega Seamaster, or find something more affordable like a Seiko Diver’s Automatic or Hamilton Khaki King Scuba. Whether spending USD 10,000 or USD 500, it’s not hard to find a stylish and capable dive watch from a plethora of established brands. Ever since I got my first serious mechanical watch in the 1990s, an RGM Model 107-P Pilot, I’ve gravitated toward smaller, lesser-known companies. Dive watches have often been my style of choice, so I’m excited to review a Super Compressor from a newcomer that has already generated some waves: the Farer Aqua Compressor Endeavour.

Introducing – Farer Automatic Watches – British Design, Swiss Made, Vintage Look, Reasonable Price

Wouldn’t it be pleasant if all the youngsters around would involve progressively in real watchmaking, meaning mechanical watches, if most of them grew as collectors, instead of looking at massive and not-so-distinguished fashion brands watches? Well, we don’t live at “candy land” and things won’t change that fast. However, every collector must have a starting point and when a cool, slightly fashion-oriented brand introduces automatic watches after a first successful collection of Quartz timepieces, it can only bring new, younger people to show interest in mechanical. Here are the Farer Automatic Watches, a combination of British Design, Swiss Made and Vintage Look – a for a reasonable price.