The Stanhope II stood out a mile for me. Farer may not (yet) be a household name, even within the ever increasing watch world, but as far as quality microbrands go, their watches are a fitting alternative to mass-produced offerings from the bigger names in town, and with an impressive 5 year warranty too, that's an excellent, all-round package.
WatchCrunch review the Stanhope II from Farer, the British watch brand that won the 2022 WatchCrunch Microbrand Challenge.
There’s a lot to like here: the proportions are just right, the dial is vibrant with great legibility, and for those who care, it’s got a newcomer movement that’s poised to be a proper challenger to more common options... The Farer 36mm Three Hand Discovery Red is an excellent addition not just to the brand’s catalogue, but to the expanding list of new 36mm watches being offered.
This is not the first Farer we've had on the channel, and it probably won't be the last. That's because every new model from them seems to get my mouth watering. The Farer design team definitely aced their exams in school because these watches just have amazing proportions, and great colours, and always bring something new to the table.
Of course, this being a British watch and us Brits – other than anyone working on the Isle of Man – like accessibility. In this case it’s a finely-finished movement in an even more finely-finished and much quirkier watch, complete with moonphase, for £1,475. That’s the kind of value you only come across on a blue moon which, incidentally, isn’t one Farer have gone for here.