The Fears Brunswick 38 ‘Silver Sector’ Topper Edition BS23800B is the third watch in the ongoing partnership between the Bristol-based watchmaker and Topper, the Californian jeweller. It is a departure from their two previous collaborations with a contemporary sector dial and sub-seconds that is reminiscent of Fears dials produced in the ‘30s and ‘40s, which is appropriate given that Topper was founded in 1940.

The ‘Silver Sector’ has a 38mm x 38mm cushion-shaped stainless steel case and sapphire crystal domed glass with anti-reflective coating on the outside and inside. It is 42mm lug to lug, 11.84mm depth and has a 20mm lug width which will suit all those strap changers out there. The screw down onion-shaped crown is engraved with the Fears cypher. The case back is closed but has the watch’s individual number of the worldwide limited edition of 40. I was advised by Topper that I was the only Australian to own one of these watches. My grandfather always told me it was “better to be born lucky than handsome”.

The dial of the ‘Silver Sector’ is simply simple yet amazing. It features an Opaline finish and two types of plating in precious metals, with the centre coated in Rhodium and the outer section in pure Silver. The sub seconds at six o’clock is sunken and finished with concentric guilloche. The dial has diamond polished hand-applied numerals (only 3, 9 and 12) and batons coated in black gold. The skeletonise hands are also black gold plated. There is no date mechanism, which from my perspective is preferred and would only detract from the wonderful symmetry of this dial.

The movement is La Joux-Perret D100 which was upgraded from the ETA/Peseux 7001 movement giving a 50 hour power reserve and is manually wound.

It is water resistant to 100m (10 ATM), but personally this is not a watch I would go swimming with.

The ‘Silver Sector’ comes with a black Barenia calf leather strap with deep blue Alacantara lining and Fear’s own steel pin buckle. Despite the vintage look of the strap and a quick release spring bar, I also bought the bracelet which is so comfortable it has stayed on full-time.

The Fears Brunswick 38 Silver Sector Topper Edition has a great looking dial, especially as I’m a fan of sector dials. The cushioned case sits so well on the wrist and exudes a touch of class on the bracelet. I feel privileged to be the only Aussie owner (at least for now) but I don’t expect many these to come up for sale very often.

Pros:
– Beautiful sector dial

– One of not many (40 worldwide)

– Great value

Cons:

– Moderate movement

– Solid case back

– No lume

Quality
75

Style
90

Value
90

Wearability
90