Schofield Watch Company: A British Original, Evolving with Time

7 March 2025 Luxfanzine

It’s been a while since Luxfanzine last checked in on Schofield Watch Company. Back in 2018, we explored the Telemark, a watch that perfectly encapsulated the brand’s meticulous approach to design and storytelling. Since then, the Sussex-based independent watchmaker has continued to carve out its own space, blending fine craftsmanship with eccentric British charm.

With several releases between then and now, it’s time for a proper catch-up—taking a short stroll through the models, pausing for a deeper look at The Light, The Dark, and the mesmerising Obscura, before diving into the latest revelation: the Schofield B6 Deep Blue.

From Telemark Onwards

Since the Telemark’s success, Schofield has delivered a steady stream of watches that uphold the company’s signature bold case design, intriguing textures, and a deeply embedded narrative in every piece. Notable mentions include the Bronze Beater B3, which brought rugged, weathered charm into the Schofield stable, with its forced patina giving each piece a unique and evolving character. It was designed to look as if it had already lived a life of adventure, a watch that embraced ageing rather than resisting it.

Then there was the Treasure Watch, an ornate tribute to maritime adventure, featuring intricate engravings that hinted at a long-lost seafarer’s relic. With its detailed case back and a dial reminiscent of old navigational instruments, it was a timepiece that carried the romance of exploration on its wrist.

Schofield’s ability to craft watches that feel like objects of lore continued with the Strange Lights, a mysterious and atmospheric timepiece inspired by UFO sightings and eerie, unexplained phenomena in the British countryside. The dial design and luminous detailing created an otherworldly aura, making it one of the brand’s most unusual releases.

Schofield Watches
Schofield Watches
Schofield Watches

On the other hand, the Japanese Sakura was a delicate and poetic departure, featuring a soft, naturalistic aesthetic inspired by cherry blossoms, capturing the fleeting beauty of time itself. A watch that took inspiration from nature rather than industry, it was a reminder that Schofield is as much about storytelling as it is about engineering.

But Schofield’s creativity isn’t confined to the wrist. The Schofield Wall Clock, a bold and oversized statement piece, took the brand’s signature design language and scaled it up. More than just a timekeeper, it was a reflection of the same attention to detail and aesthetic that made their watches so compelling. Hanging one on the wall was as much about owning a piece of Schofield’s philosophy as it was about telling the time.

Schofield’s design ethos is about more than just timekeeping—it’s about evoking a mood, a place, or a moment in history. That’s why each model feels more like an artefact than a simple wristwatch. And that’s precisely the case with The Light One, The Dark One, and Obscura—three watches that showcase the brand’s ability to push creative boundaries while maintaining their core identity.

A Study in Contrast

Schofield’s Light and Dark models, released as a refined pairing, offer two distinct interpretations of elegance. The Light One embraces a pale, almost ethereal aesthetic, with a crisp dial and an emphasis on clarity. It’s airy, refined, and visually weightless, yet remains unmistakably Schofield with its sculpted case and striking presence on the wrist.

Then comes The Dark One—its brooding counterpart. Deep, moody, and almost cinematic in its execution, this watch transforms the same core design into something far more enigmatic. The interplay between light and shadow in these two models showcases Schofield’s flair for turning contrasts into a design statement.

Beyond aesthetics, both watches share a meticulous level of finishing, and the same dedication to superior materials and finishing techniques. The Light and Dark solidified Schofield’s reputation for producing watches that are not just different for the sake of it but are thoughtfully and deliberately crafted.

The Fascination with the Unseen

Then came the Obscura, an enigmatic and rather philosophical creation. Inspired by the concept of a camera obscura—the historical optical device that projected images through a small aperture—this watch plays with perception and intrigue.

The dial of the Obscura is where the magic happens. Instead of a conventional display, it features a dramatic visual composition, teasing at hidden details and inviting the wearer to engage with time differently. The experience of wearing an Obscura isn’t just about glancing at the time—it’s about interpreting light, shadow, and form in a way that no other watch quite manages.

The Obscura’s craftsmanship, with its textured dial and nuanced design elements, elevates it beyond a watch and into the realm of an art piece. If the Light and Dark were studies in contrast, the Obscura was an exercise in mystery, further proving Schofield’s dedication to breaking away from conventional horology.

Introducing the Schofield B6 Deep Blue

Now, in 2025, Schofield returns with its latest offering: the B6 Deep Blue. Announced as a special release for British Watchmakers’ Day, this watch continues the company’s long-standing affinity for maritime themes but with a new level of depth—both metaphorically and literally.

The B6 is a patinated bronze-cased watch available in two editions: Deep Blue and Shallow Green. These names aren’t just for show—they reflect the way the dials have been finished to mimic the effect of torchlight filtering through water, a hauntingly beautiful glow that enhances the watch’s underwater aesthetic.

But Schofield, never content with just delivering another ‘diver-inspired’ watch, has taken things further. The patination of the bronze cases isn’t just a finishing touch; it’s been meticulously crafted to give the impression that these watches have been lost to the sea for centuries, only to be rediscovered and restored. It’s an approach that blurs the line between contemporary craftsmanship and ancient relic.

The B6 also marks a departure from Schofield’s previous ‘Beater’ line—this time around, the brand wanted to create something more elevated, positioned between the Light and Obscura in terms of prestige. The attention to detail is staggering, from the engraved movement to the elaborate case back, which features a mermaid swimming through seaweed, clutching a treasure chest. A poetic touch, entirely fitting for a watch designed to feel like a piece of sunken history.

And if that wasn’t enough, there’s also the limited ‘Sea-Change’ edition, created in collaboration with artist Benjamin Guffee. This version takes inspiration from Shakespeare’s The Tempest, with an aged, mottled patina and an amber-tinted crystal that desaturates the dial for an added layer of antique charm. It’s a fascinating intersection of literature, art, and horology—exactly the kind of fusion that makes Schofield so unique.

The Schofield Way

Over the years, Schofield has proven that independent watchmaking isn’t just about making a product—it’s about creating something with soul, something that tells a story. The B6 Deep Blue is the latest chapter in that story, a watch that continues the brand’s legacy of designing timepieces that feel like relics from an alternate past.

For those attending British Watchmakers’ Day, this will be one of the most anticipated releases of the event. And for everyone else, it’s another reminder that Schofield remains one of the most intriguing names in British watchmaking.

A company that doesn’t just make watches—it makes experiences, memories, and heirlooms. That’s the Schofield way.

✦ Peace!