Fears
Archival 1930
SOLD OUT
The Archival 1930 has sold out, however, you might find one at one of our Fears Authorised Stockists, please contact us here.
The rectangular Fears watch.
The Archival 1930 involves a considerable amount of work on new-old-stock movements and hand-finishing and as such they are made in small batches.
Created to coincide with the 175th Anniversary of the founding of Fears, the Archival 1930 is a proportional recreation of an art deco watch Fears made in 1930. True to the original, each watch features an original vintage movement. With its elegant form it is a perfect luxury rectangular watch for men or women.
- Case: 40 x 22 mm, stainless steel, brushed and polished, 20mm lug width
- Dial: Vintage champagne colour, with black printing
- Strap: Oxblood red, Bristol calf leather, handmade
- Movement: ETA 2360, time only, manual winding
- Water Resistance: 30 metres (3 ATM)
- Limited Edition: 136 pieces total
CASE
The slim, rectangular case has the same elegant proportions as the original from 1930. The new watch has been increased in size a little while maintaining all the important ratios of the original to suit modern tastes. The case is expertly machined from 316L Stainless Steel, in Germany, to a level usually reserved for precious metals.This precisely milled case is then finished in a combination of linearly brushed and highly polished surfaces. This long, slim watch sits comfortably on the wrist thanks to its curved profile. Just like the 1930 original, both the crystal and case back have a matching curvature that follows the contours of the wrist perfectly.
The tip of the winding crown, used to wind the watch each day, is deeply engraved with the Fears ‘pipette’ logo.
DIAL
A close reproduction of the 1930 original, the dial has a distinctive Art Deco design, reflecting the glittering age in which it was first created. To capture the original’s look and details first the dial’s base is polished and plated in 18ct Yellow Gold, and then the rest of the dial is layered on top. This results in the real gold border shining through the smooth, matte Champagne finish that is treated to a light 18ct yellow gold plating.The ‘Deco’ numerals that share the slim proportions of the case are printed in crisp glossy black, giving excellent contrast.
We call this concoction of gold, ‘Vintage Champagne’.
HANDS
Expertly milled before being diamond polished, the solid ‘Fears-shaped’ hands feature a central bevel down their length. This bevel helps them catch the light beautifully.The rich bluing offers great contrast with the light dial that increases legibility and aids telling the time.
MOVEMENT
The Archival 1930 is powered by an original ‘new old stock’ movement that Fears used in the past. The ETA 2360 movements date back to the 1960s and having never been used previously have undergone a full rebuild and reconditioning in the workshop while receiving an upgraded mainspring to improve reliability.
Please note
We expect timekeeping to be within +/-20 seconds a day, in-keeping with the original specification of the movement.
STRAP
Each Archival 1930 is paired with a handmade Bristol Leather strap in a traditional Oxblood Red, crafted in an art deco style like the original would have been, with no padding and with ‘box-style’ stitching. This premium strap uses calf leather that has been vegetable tanned in Britain’s oldest vegetable tannery, Bristol’s Thomas Ware & Sons to our own shade of this vintage red tone.
The strap is lined in Fears Blue Alcantara®, offering a soft and comfortable feel against the skin. The Strap is fastened with a vintage shaped stainless steel pin buckle, which has received a linear brushing to its sides, matching the finish on the sides of the watch’s case. The final flourish comes in the form of a 1930s Fears logo deeply engraved on the polished top of the buckle.
Strap Size
- Standard: Fits wrists approx. 172 - 206mm (6.7" - 8.1")
- Shorter: Fits wrists approx. 163 - 195mm (6.3" - 7.5")
INDIVIDUALLY NUMBERED
As with all Fears, each Archival 1930 carries a unique serial number. In addition to this each watch is engraved on the case back with one of the 175 years since the company was founded in 1846. Consequently, this and the Archival 1930 Small Seconds comprise a strictly limited edition model of just 175 pieces.
The Archival 1930 features the years the company was operational; 1846-1976 and 2016-2021. For watches engraved with the years 1977-2015 please see the Archival 1930 Small-Seconds.Which year will I get?
Years will be allocated on a first come, first serve basis chronologically.
BRITISH BOX
The Archival 1930 is presented in a slim, rectangular, wooden box made of solid English ash and stained in our bespoke Fears Blue colour. This luxury box was inspired by traditional slim Fears watch boxes used in the past, in which the watch lay flat.
The top of the box is discretely engraved with the Fears logo and features a gentle bevel around its edges, whilst the interior is lined in genuine cream suede, keeping your watch safe and secure.
ENGRAVED PERSONAL TO YOU
Fears offers an engraving service whereby a watch can be made personal to its new owner. We work with one of the UK's leading 3D laser engravers who can engrave initials, a date, or a special verse on your watch. Please contact us here to discuss how we can make your watch extra special.
REVIEWS
Here are a selection of hands on reviews of the Archival 1930:
Fratello
Worn and Wound
Oracle Time
Case
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316L stainless steel, rectangular-shape. Linear grain and polished finishes. Closed caseback. 40mm x 22mm, 20mm lug width (depth 8.54mm curved front and back). Made in Germany |
Movement
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New-Old-Stock, ETA 2360, circa 1968, manual winding, 17 jewels, 18,000vph (2.5Hz) and 40 hr power reserve. Fitted with an upgraded main spring. Made in Switzerland Reconditioned and serviced in the UK |
Dial
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Dial size: 30.30mm x 18.80mm / 1.19 inch x 0.74 inch Vintage Champagne. Coated in 18ct Gold. Polished border and sandblasted dial textures. One colour printing. Made in Germany |
Hands
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Machine milled, bevelled and diamond polished. Made in Germany |
Glass
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Sapphire Crystal with ARdur® anti-reflective coating (inside & outside). Made in Hong Kong Coated in Switzerland |
Functions |
Hours & Minutes. |
Water Resistance |
30m (3ATM) |
Strap
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Oxblood Red. "Bristol Leather" tanned in Bristol by Britain's oldest vegetable tanner Thomas Ware & Sons and Fears Blue Alcantara® lining. Leather made in UK Alcantara® made in Italy Strap made in Belgium |
SHIPPING
We offer complimentary worldwide shipping on all watch orders. Local duties and taxes will need to be paid where applicable.UK (2-5 days)
All watches are sent using DHL Express. Insured and tracked, you’ll be sent the Airway Bill tracking reference after the watch is dispatched. We track all orders until they arrive safely with you.EU (4-7 days)
All watches are sent using DHL Express. Insured and tracked, you’ll be sent the Airway Bill tracking reference after the watch is dispatched. We track all orders until they arrive safely with you.
Rest of World (2-10 days)
All watches are sent using DHL Express. Insured and tracked, you’ll be sent the Airway Bill tracking reference after the watch is dispatched. We track all orders until they arrive safely with you.
We now also offer FedEx as an option for shipments to the US.
RETURNS & EXCHANGES
If you are unhappy with your Fears watch for any reason, you have up to 14 days from receiving it to return or exchange it. Please email sales@fearswatches.com to discuss returning the watch.Please note: Returns are only accepted for items purchased directly from the Fears Watch Company Limited. For items purchased from an Authorised Stockist, please contact them to arrange a return in accordance with their returns policy. Items must be returned in new, unused, and saleable condition, with the complete original packaging, literature, and accessories. Returns not received in this manner may be sent back to the customer.
All Fears wristwatches purchase directly from the Fears Watch Company Limited and Authorised Fears Stockists come with a Fears Guarantee (the ‘Guarantee’). The Guarantee is valid for two years from the original date of purchase as recorded in the Fears WatchBook issued with your Fears watch. Any claims made under the Guarantee require proof of purchase and sight of the Fears WatchBook. In the first instance a fault with the Fears watch will be repaired free of charge or, if the watch is not able to be repaired, it will be replaced with a Fears watch of a similar model.
The Guarantee covers defects in materials or mechanical failure of the case, crystal (glass), watch movement, dial, and hands during the two-year period.
The Guarantee does not cover:
- defects in materials of the strap or buckle;
- pre-owned watches not sold directly by the Fears Watch Company Limited or by an Authorised Fears Stockist;
- damage due to general wear and tear and ageing of the watch;
- damage due to abnormal storage;
- damage due to the watch not being operated in accordance with the user instructions;
- damage caused by normal use, accidents or misuse; damage caused by contact with moisture or water; or
- any alterations or repairs conducted by anyone other than Fears or those recommended by Fears.
To ensure the reliable running of your Fears watch for years to come, please do not engage anyone other than Fears or those recommended by Fears to conduct servicing, repair, or engraving. The Guarantee becomes void in the event of servicing, repair, or engraving by any person other than Fears or those recommended by Fears.
The Guarantee does not in any way affect your rights against Fears nor any other mandatory statutory rights you may have.
Additional Strap
