Introducing: The Fears Arnos Pewter Blue — A Logical Extension Of The Brand’s Catalog
Currently, the Fears collection consists of two cores — the round Redcliff and the cushion-shaped Brunswick. Today, with Watches and Wonders and Time to Watches right around the corner and both taking place in Geneva, brand refounder Nicholas Bowman-Scargill adds a third core to the collection with the introduction of the Arnos Pewter Blue. The inspiration for the curved rectangular case comes from Fears watches of the 1920s and ’30s. The new vintage-inspired Arnos features a round blue dial with a rhodium-plated hobnail pattern surrounding it.
In 2021, for its 175th anniversary, Fears presented a watch called the Archival 1930. It was limited to 175 pieces because it housed a new-old-stock ETA 2360 hand-wound movement. Supplies of this movement were limited, but the rectangular case was newly produced. Today’s Arnos model has the same case, but this watch will stay in the Fears collection indefinitely. Let’s take a look at this new family member!
The Fears Arnos Pewter Blue
As with all Fears watches, the name Arnos is inspired by Bristol, the company’s hometown. Arnos Vale is the area where the current headquarters are located and where you can find the Arnos Vale Cemetery. That’s where both Edwin Fear (founder) and his son Amos Daniel Fear (second managing director) are buried. Now that you know where the name came from, let’s take a look at the watch itself.
The Arnos Pewter Blue has a rectangular case with a 22.6mm diameter and a 40mm lug-to-lug. Topped by a 33.5mm-long curved sapphire crystal, this hand-finished stainless steel case also offers an 8.4mm thickness and a slight curve on the back to improve wearability. The top of the case has a polished finish, while the sides feature horizontal brushing. Drilled lug holes make it easier to change between different 20mm straps. The Arnos Pewter Blue also comes with two straps — one in taupe Barenia leather and the other, by Delugs, in a matching blue rubber.
The dial of the new Fears Arnos Blue Pewter consists of two parts. Its centerpiece is a round, galvanic blue disc with a concentric texture in the middle. Surrounding that is a sector of white Roman numerals and a railroad minute track running around its perimeter. The brand’s signature pipette-style hour and minute hands feature three diamond-cut bevels to ensure visibility at all times. The open spaces above and below the round dial feature a CNC-machined hobnail pattern finished with a rhodium coating.
An automatic caliber this time
As said, the limited-edition Archival 1930 featured a new-old-stock hand-wound ETA 2360 movement. This time, the push-pull crown on the new Arnos Pewter Blue controls the automatic Sellita SW1000-1 b movement inside. This movement has a mere 20mm diameter, features 18 jewels, and provides a respectable power reserve of 46 hours. It runs at a 4Hz (28,800vph) frequency and comes with Sellita’s Top Grade finishing. Thought it’s not visible through the steel case back, it also features a custom Fears rotor.
Initial impressions
I was already a fan of the immensely popular 2021 Archival 1930, and I’m a fan of the Arnos Pewter Blue now as well. It’s certainly not the first rectangular watch with a round dial I’ve seen. However, the boldness of the blue dial sitting within its hobnail context is quite distinct. I’d love to see what it looks like in person. The automatic Sellita caliber inside is also a positive surprise. You’d probably expect a dressy watch like the Arnos to come with a hand-wound movement. In daily life, however, a self-winding movement is much more convenient.
The new Fears Arnos Pewter Blue costs £4,350. As mentioned, it includes two 20mm straps. The taupe Barenia leather one comes with a Fears pin buckle and quick-release spring bars. The smooth blue rubber Delugs strap is a cut-to-size type and features a signed leaf-spring butterfly clasp.
Let me know in the comments below what you think of the new Fears Arnos Pewter Blue.
