CHRISTMAS IN THE CAPITAL — AN ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE IN


30 NOVEMBER 2020


Gifts for him, her & the kids 15


Turning back the clocks: British watchmakers Zero West


Friends, and founders of Zero West watches, Graham Collins and Andrew Brabyn, are showing the world that when it comes to precision-engineered timepieces, the Brits still have a thing or two up their sleeve


When you have a combined 60 years in graphic design and aero- space engineering, you understand one particularly important lesson: if you talk the talk, you’ve got to walk the walk. Tat’s why, when graphic designer Andrew Brabyn and black ops engineer Graham Collins founded Zero West watches in 2016, they knew that if they were to be so bold as to step into the world of watches, then their timepieces would have to hold their own against some of


the biggest name in the


luxury watch industry. Working from their design studio


‘Te Old Boathouse’ in Emsworth, Hampshire, it should be no surprise that feats of automotive, aviation and marine engineering are the inspiration behind each of Zero West’s watches. Te building itself is steeped in that very history: the studio once belonged to panelling expert George Gray (of Vanwall Cars fame) and is spitting distance from Gray’s very own Spitfire shadow factory, which he established after the Supermarine factory in Eastleigh was bombed beyond recognition. To step into the boathouse is to


step back in time. Te building has been transformed into their very own workshop, while staying true to its history. Te past is present


If you listen carefully beneath the ticking of the Spitfire S4, you may hear the growl of a Merlin engine, because Zero West smelted the remains of a Spitfire into the back of all 80 editions


in every corner of the studio, from salvaged war plane dials to equally ferocious Aston Martin engine pistons, which adorn the shelves and desk space from which they work. You don’t have to look far to see


that this paraphernalia serves as a reference point for each one of the lovingly crafted watches: the skel- etonised hands and racing plate numerals of the Ace Cafe-inspired Cafe Racer chronograph oozes ’50s teenage rebellion; vintage rally timers line the wall space, acting as a reference point for the distinctly unique LS-1 Bullhead, the only British watch brand to make such an example; and, if you listen carefully beneath the ticking of the Spitfire S4, you may hear the growl of a Merlin engine, because Zero West smelted the remains of a Spitfire into the back of all 80 editions. Zero West’s commitment to


combining special moments in history with the strictest stand- ards for perfection is evident in everything it does. Te cases are all 316L stainless steel, made and manu- factured right here in the UK and the company only uses highly robust Swiss ETA movements, tested by its own specialist accredited watch- maker. Even the signature leather straps are produced by Graham


GRAHAM COLLINS ANDREW BRABYN


himself, by hand. Tis is unusual, but then again this isn’t an ordinary watch brand. When there’s so much choice on offer in the market, maybe this is the level of precision and care customers are demanding. Or maybe it’s because they just like to do things the old-fashioned way.


Available only from: zerowest.co.uk


E: time@zerowest.co.uk T: 01243 376 676 Instagram: @ZeroWestWatches


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