SOMETIME Giles Ellis

The ⁠Obscura.⁠ Part 2, A watch that began in 2017 and then constantly adjusted and refined. A project of self-indulgence. It is my best work and finally I can retire, happy. I am not retiring of course and probably never will, the point being the Obscura is unfettered by expense, detail, materials and craftsmanship.

A watch that could only ever be made now, with the experience, team and makers accumulated over the last 15 years.

In summary the Obscura is an artefact. It was designed specifically within all the normal watch constraints, i.e. a round watch that tells the time with central hour and minute hands but manipulated to look less conventional and more like a mysterious timing device. Something (when housed in its canister), that if discovered in the undergrowth should probably be left alone, or handed in.

This is a watch of suspicious origins, perhaps military, perhaps alien. It is obscure, subtly so and definitely more than the sum of its parts, the details of which tell the Obscura’s story.



Visit ⁠Schofield for more info... Here. And to see a pic to follow along...

The Obscura – a watch that began in 2017 and then constantly adjusted and refined. A project of self-indulgence. It is my best work and finally I can retire, happy. I am not retiring of course and probably never will, the point being the Obscura is unfettered by expense, detail, materials and craftsmanship.

A watch that could only ever be made now, with the experience, team and makers accumulated over the last 15 years.

In summary the Obscura is an artefact. It was designed specifically within all the normal watch constraints, i.e. a round watch that tells the time with central hour and minute hands but manipulated to look less conventional and more like a mysterious timing device. Something (when housed in its canister), that if discovered in the undergrowth should probably be left alone, or handed in.

This is a watch of suspicious origins, perhaps military, perhaps alien. It is obscure, subtly so and definitely more than the sum of its parts, the details of which tell the Obscura’s story.



Visit Schofield for more info... Here. And to see a pic to follow along...

A short reading of Leo Walmsley's Ports and Harbours. A book written in 1942. As Mr Walmsley says 'We island dwellers are apt to take our ports and harbours for granted,' Very true especially in peace time. I like this for both the way it is written and the enthusiasm the author has for the insane feats of engineering contained within. Feats that he skips over to focus on how they shaped the British Empire. It does make me think of the hard graft and the lives lost for us to drop lines for crabs or slurp on a 99.



Visit ⁠Schofield

Here is a version of a lecture I gave to students at University of Sussex, it is an introduction to a module called Design for industry of which I convene. It is not complete because some parts are too irrelevant and uninteresting. I am recording a series of lectures as a resource for the students but also insight for you to see behind the curtain of a design degree course. And a little more info on how I operate. Naturally here it is read in a manner to put you to sleep, but the students received a version that was more upbeat. I needed you to know that.



Visit ⁠Schofield British Watches⁠ for more info.

Or UNDERCURRENTS for beneath the surface.

And you just have to sign up to the Six-Pips newsletter. It is a good one, worth your effort.

Navigating the details on modern black watch materials, coatings and finishes can be a confusing undertaking. Ambiguous science with misleading figures all contribute to the marketing nonsense that spews from our beloved and often hyperbolic industry. This reading of an article written for Substack should clear up some of the technobabble we are too often confronted with. Also, listen to Story No.1 for a playful jab at technobabble specifically!

I mention the Blacklamp EVO - see the UNDERCURRENTS blog, there may well be something hidden there.

Also - you should see the LIGHT - our new general purpose field watch.

And you just have to sign up to the ⁠⁠Six-Pips newsletter⁠⁠. It is a good one, worth your effort.

Finally, the hub of it all - Schofield Watch Co.

The Light, general purpose field watch (in two colours) by Schofield.

Schofield introduces a new general purpose field watch. And Giles talks you through its design and manufacture process.

After 15 years making watches with the same case shape and dimensions, the Light brings a whole re-design, from the ground up. At 40 mm diameter we now have a wholly new offering with no less complexity and detail as seen in other models. Lighthouses have been Schofield’s inspiration for the last 15 years and these two new watches reflect their austerity, endurance and precision. Built for legibility and reliability - a functional watch with subtle military cues. Powered by an automatic, mechanical Seiko movement with 24hr GMT. The Light comes in two colours, aptly named The Light One and The Dark One. Both limited to 150 pieces. 

https://schofieldwatchcompany.com - For the Light watches

https://sugar-free.uk - For additional straps. Both 22mm and 20mm

And you just have to sign up to the ⁠Six-Pips newsletter⁠. It is a good one, worth your effort.