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When Jerome and I first moved to London, we lived just around the corner from The Colonel Fawcett pub, and we went there all the time - Sunday roasts, mid-week pints, Friday quiz nights, the lot. That’s also how we first heard this rather dramatic (and oh so Camden) bit of local history.
Back in 1843, Colonel Fawcett got into an argument with his brother-in-law (they had married sisters) about some sort of property disagreement. Things escalated to the point where they agreed to settle the matter in a duel. On the morning of 1st July 1843, they met in a field just outside Camden Town, pistols at the ready. One single shot was fired, and Fawcett fell, badly wounded.
A police officer found him lying in the grass, and when he asked what was the matter the Colonel answered "What is that to you - it is an accident". Still, they tried to take him to the Brecknock Arms for help, but he was refused entry. Instead, he was taken to the much seedier Camden Arms down the road - now the (much less seedy, might I add) pub that bears his name, The Colonel Fawcett - where despite medical attention he died a few days later.
And so he became part of Camden legend.
For this edition, we’ve used our most intricate case, the No.253, and have drawn inspiration from the ornate paisley-style engravings often found on duelling pistol handles. You’ll see this reflected both on the dial and along the case side.
Whilst the dial and bezel are both black, the case side is finished in an antique gun-metal tone to really evoke the feel of the pistol itself.
Look closely at the dial and you’ll spot “1843”, the year of the duel, and turn the watch over to find the case back engraved with two crossed pistols—a subtle nod to the Colonel’s final days and the moment that cemented his place in Camden folklore.
For a limited time only, every watch comes with a voucher for a free beer at The Colonel Fawcett pub. A little final “cheers” to the Colonel himself.
We’ve wanted to create a Witchcraft Edition for a long time now. It’s a theme steeped in history and symbolism, rich with folklore, stories, and characters that capture the imagination. The only real question, was where to start...
It Always Starts With Research...
Witchcraft is such a vast theme, there are countless directions we could have taken it. But one thing felt clear from the very beginning: this is a watch, an object meant to be worn every day, so it made sense to begin with the idea of talismans and protective charms — symbols designed to guard, guide, and bring a touch of magic to the everyday.
That became the cornerstone of the design — what if we created a watch rich with symbolism and meaning, a modern-day talisman made for daily wear? So we began to research, poring over old books and markings, searching for patterns and stories that spoke to us. But nothing quite fit — everything felt either too obvious, too gimmicky, or simply not right. So the idea went off the boil for a while, still there in the back of my mind, but no longer something we were actively working on.
Then one day, a good friend sent me a link to an article about witches’ marks — and it was the perfect spark. I began to dig deeper, exploring their history and significance, and found myself especially drawn to the daisy wheel: a circular symbol once etched into walls to trap evil spirits within its endless line. From there, we added the crescent moons at 3, 6, and 9 — a nod to the Triple Goddess, representing life, death, and rebirth; or new beginnings, nurturing, and wisdom.
After a number of various interactions of different dial designs, we eventually landed on the perfect design for our Witchcraft Edition.
So what about Witchcraft and Camden?
Witchcraft has deep roots in British history, and Camden is no exception. Long before it became London’s creative heart, the area was home to tales of wise women, healers, and so-called witches — figures who blurred the line between folklore and fact.
One of the best known was Mother Red Cap, who lived in Kentish Town in the 1600s. She ran an alehouse and was famed for her sharp wit and independence — admired by some, feared by others. Over the years her legend grew, and her name lived on in the Mother Red Cap’s Tavern, which eventually became the World’s End pub, still standing today just a short walk from our Camden store.
Nearby, stories tell of Mother Black Cap, another local “witch” said to have lived on what’s now Regent’s Park Road. Her supposed burial ground became the site of Mother Black Cap’s Tavern, later a pleasure garden and then a public house — the spot that would go on to become the Lock Tavern.
Centuries later, her name resurfaced once again, this time in a different part of Camden. The Black Cap, the famous and now sadly closed gay cabaret pub on Camden High Street, borrowed its name from the same legend — a fitting tribute in a place known for celebrating individuality, defiance, and self-expression.
These layers of history — from folklore and witchcraft to rebellion and creativity — still echo through Camden’s streets today. It felt only right that our Witchcraft Edition should pay homage to that spirit: bold, independent, and a little bit magical.
Back in late 2016, we launched what our first ever Limited Edition watch. Based on Tom Sayers, a champion bare-knuckle boxer from Camden, it was a steel No.88 with a black dial limited to 200 pieces, and we loved it.
Produced in four batches of 50, each batch sold out fast, and ever since we have received emails and messages asking us if by any chance we've held any back (we haven't), or even if it was possible buy our very own edition (it isn't).
Recently one of our favourite magazines, Courier, held their second annual ‘Courier Live’ event at Republic London.
It was a great day featuring a ton of cool business, from jacket makers who sell out within minutes, to healthy juices and brutally honest greetings cards. If you weren’t able to go then we thoroughly recommend joining next year.
If you know anything about Camden Market, you probably already know that it’s a hub for vintage and alternative fashion. Camden Market is, and was, one of the best places to go for independent fashion brands, well-kept vintage pieces, and alternative style.
From mod to punk, cybergoth to bohemia, modern and vintage fashion blended together, inspired by the music and culture coming out of Camden.
We believe a meaningful collaboration requires three things:
1. A sharing of the the same values
2. Different yet complementary skills
3. A purpose and reason to exist
And from the word go, we've been looking to partner with a charity that fits this brief. When Camden Giving approached us about their 'Future Changemakers' programme, we knew instantly this was a purposeful project that we wanted to be part of.
A year ago we began sponsoring Scarpa Racing - a grassroots female race team based in London. This winter, Olivia Campbell (one of the five riders) built her very own bike. We love considered and crafted design, so we sat down with Olivia to talk about the process and all of the small details that will make this bike truly one of a kind.
