On March 9th, 2024, the inaugural British Watchmakers’ Day occurred in Westminster, London, England. Organized by the Alliance of British Watch & Clock Makers, this event was celebrated as the premier watch gathering in the U.K. More than 40 brands participated, including Christopher Ward, Elliot Brown, Isotope, and even Roger W. Smith. The event was by all accounts a success, so it’s no surprise that a second event has been scheduled for Saturday, March 8th.
One of the 2024 exhibitors was Beaucroft, based in Cambridge. Our very own Garrett Jones had a hands-on experience with their Forest Green Element watch in December 2024, and he enjoyed it. For this year’s British Watchmakers’ Day event, Beaucroft has collaborated with Bristol-based artist Tim Gresham, known as Penfold, to create the Penfold Special Edition watch.
Penfold’s portfolio includes abstract paintings, screen printing, large-scale murals, and immersive installations. He has exhibited in galleries worldwide and collaborated with iconic brands. His influences range from skateboard graphics and Memphis-style furniture to artists like Tom Wesselmann and Eduardo Paolozzi from the Pop Art movement and contemporary figures like MOMO and KAWS.
Based on their Element platform, the matte-finished white dial provided a blank canvas for Penfold to showcase his artwork. Apart from the rehaut and hands, the rest of the design is Penfold’s creation. From the supplied images, the airbrushed design elements appear to be applied to the dial rather than just painted on. The watch measures 39.5mm in diameter, 46.5mm from lug tip to lug tip, and 11.7 mm thick.
The dial is covered by a double-domed sapphire crystal with an anti-reflective coating on the underside. A Miyota 9039 automatic movement powers the Beaucroft x Penfold. It operates at 28,800 beats per hour, has a power reserve of 42 hours, and is regulated to maintain an accuracy of +/—10 seconds per day. The case has a scratch-resistant coating to keep the watch pristine.
A 3-link bracelet secures the watch to your wrist. It features an on-the-fly micro-adjusting clasp and the same scratch-resistant coating as the case. It tapers from 20mm between the lugs to 16mm at the clasp. Additionally, each link fully articulates and can be added and removed via screws for easy sizing. Lastly, all the links have a polished bevel that runs the entire contour of its edge. The latter detail not only adds visual appeal but should increase comfort.
The Beaucroft x Penfold Limited Edition will be launched at the British Watchmakers Day on March 8th, with any remaining pieces available for purchase online starting March 9th. This edition is limited to just 75 pieces, and a portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Alliance of British Watch & Clock Makers. The retail price is $675. Beaucroft
