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.
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).
