When a brand that you love and cherish announces they are expanding into a new product category you can’t help but, slightly, worry, in the back of your mind you know this can go one of two ways. One, wonderfully, real synergy, works so well and only strengthens your appreciation for what they produce. Or, how can I put this, NOT.
Thankfully, with the topic of today’s post the prior is very definitely the case. British lifestyle brand Barbour has just launched its first range of watches, aptly named ‘Barbour Timepieces’, which blends the Barbour unique take on British style into watch form, all the while with a very individual and stylish look.
The Barbour collection is inspired by the values of the British countryside whilst the Barbour International collection references the brand’s motorcycling heritage, with both collections featuring some of the iconic elements found in the clothing ranges.
Designed in Britain, the Barbour Timepieces collections all house Swiss movements and feature the best Italian leathers, British tweeds and tartans.
In the Barbour collection, the Beacon Chrono (image above) is a visual embodiment of Barbour’s design heritage – functional yet timelessly sophisticated – available with either Italian leather straps or in a three link stainless steel bracelet. The simplicity and clean lines found in the design of the Glysdale also represents the versatility that the Barbour brand is known for, with a choice of straps in Barbour’s classic tartan, British herringbone tweed, or luxurious Italian leather.
In the Barbour International collection, the motorcycle jackets that the brand has been producing since 1936 are the core inspiration. The Halstead sits at the heart of motorcycle fashion with hand-stitched padded straps that are reminiscent of riding leathers. The Fowler (image below) features an industrial case inspired by the headlights of vintage motorcycles, a dial based on vintage speedometers and soft leather straps that make this watch effortlessly wearable.
