Looking at the fans, we are used to the brands and watches attached to the impressive feat. Some examples include jumping off an airplane, diving to incredible depths, and shooting into space. Now the horror has chosen to sponsor the British Odyssey, an attempt to record Ocean Lower Angus Collins, who has not been attacked around the UK. The new Fears Odyssey Edition commemorates this, with the brand creating a special experiment 01 model for Collins on his journey.
As mentioned before, it is not novel for watch companies to attach their name or specific models to their exploration or sporting attempts. But today’s new horror Odyssey Edition is most impressive as it supports mental health charity. We also celebrate Collins’ future row-making attempts to orbit the UK without assistance. Take a look at the limited edition and one-off productions that come with Collins.
Angus Collins
This week I had the opportunity to take part in the debut of The Fears Odyssey Edition at Time+Tide Studio UK in London. Certainly, I was hoping for a typical watch presentation and a brief story about future rowing attempts. What I heard was much more moving. Collins is a world record holder for his ocean rowfish exploits. However, he shared a personal story about the 30-year-old’s attempted suicide after completing the Pacific Track. It was a tough memory that even people who achieved success and seemed healthy on the outside might struggle internally.
Luckily, Collins has received help during his crisis, and he is now rowing the UK without assistance, trying to raise funds for a charity supporting men amid the suicide crisis. James’ Place runs treatment centres in London and Liverpool and offers free therapy. Collins is about to raise £250,000 for the charity. This is a meaningful amount considering the treatment cost is around £1,870 per person (I heard the UK government would cost nearly £250,000 to provide the same treatment to one person!)
Create a watch that supports world record attempts
The attendees in the evening were not the only people who were moved by Collins’s attempts to story and record. The owner of the horror, Nicholas Bowman Scargill, has decided to sponsor Collins in his upcoming British Odyssey attempt. However, the idea expanded to creating a bespoke set of watches to accompany Collins on his voyage. Bowman-Scargill then chose to create a limited edition piece commemorating the attempt, with some of the proceeds benefiting the same charity. I had the opportunity to see the Experiment 01 and the Odyssey version, which are not on sale.
Experiment 01, Stimulating the Fearful Odyssey Edition
The horror produced an impressive watch for Collins’ upcoming row-fire attempt. Work on the custom-made pieces only began in late January, but six impressive watches have been completed. The regular Brunswick 40 may look dressy, but it is a robust watch with a depth rating of 150 meters. However, Experiment 01 brings a greater function.
Fear increased the water-resistant rating to 300 meters, laser welded the laser into a 316L stainless steel case. The brand needs a comfortable strap and relies on Erica’s original orange MN stretchable accessory.
A bright low glare dial was required to prevent distractions during the adventure. Bowman-Scargill explained the challenge of quickly getting a small batch of dials. Within days, Jones said the help came from another brand in the UK watch industry. It is important for rounded round dials with squares. In the nautical story, it is the flag of whiskey. This indicates the need for medical assistance to nod to the purpose behind rowing attempts.
Impressive accuracy
Experiment 01 uses an automatic La Joux-Perret G101. However, in this application, we worked with James Harris of Harris Horology to tune and test the movement. The results are amazing! Harris was able to achieve -1/+0 seconds of accuracy per day using a time testing process of fear accuracy. Each piece was tested for several weeks and exposed to different temperatures and pressures. Collins will have three watches mounted with him if there is a problem. Sadly, at this point, none of the experimental 01 pieces are sold, but this is why the Odyssey Edition is.
The Fears Brunswick 40 Odyssey Edition
Fear created 100 numbered pieces to commemorate Collins’ upcoming solo attempts. The watch uses a Brunswick 40 case with a diameter of 40mm, lagtoo lug, lug, and a thickness of just 11.06mm. Each piece comes with an original strap of an orange stretchy Erica that matches the experimental 01. This passes through the usual removable 20mm spring bar. It also includes a terrifying blue FKM rubber strap.
As for the Odyssey Edition dial, the styling is similar to a made-to-order piece with a matte white finish. Bright hands and indexes with milled blue borders make them easier to read in all environments. The screw down crown and all-steel caseback help to ensure the 150m depth ratings listed.
The watch does not have a whiskey flag on the dial, but you can find it in the caseback. Each piece contains an engraved map of Collins’ proposed clockwise routes around the UK. This is an estimated 2,000 miles over 50 days. Inside, The Fears Odyssey Edition uses the same top grade Ja Loux-Peret G101 automatic movement. It has greatness with the Cote de Geneve finish, rhodium plating and blurry screws. The movement also has a frequency of 28,800Vph and an impressive 68-hour power reserve. The Brunswick 40 Odyssey Edition costs £3,550 (including VAT) and a portion of the proceeds will go to charities. The watch is currently on sale and will begin shipping in July after rowing attempts.
Impressive collaboration
There is collaboration in the watch industry. Some are good, some make me cold. The horrifying Odyssey version and the support of Angus Collins feels like a genuine pursuit. It moved me and I look forward to seeing his progress and listening to him broadcasting alongside the UK. When it comes to watches, the experimental 01 is impressive, indicating that this little English brand may be available for more for us one day. The limited edition is charming and reminds me of a great cause, not a kitsch. If you’re interested in supporting Collins’ attempts and donating to James’ location, please see the following page for more information.
