Geometry And Color In Motion: Fears’ New Brunswick 38 “De Stijl”
Ace Jewelers’ appointment as the exclusive Fears dealer in the Netherlands marked a significant milestone earlier this year, but the partnership has now taken a creative step forward with the introduction of a collaborative limited edition. The new Fears x Ace Jewelers Brunswick 38 “De Stijl Edition” combines British watchmaking with Dutch artistic heritage, resulting in a visually striking interpretation of the classic Brunswick.
A Familiar Case With a Graphic Twist
The Brunswick 38 retains the refined cushion-shaped case that has become a hallmark of the collection. Its 38 mm diameter, 11.69mm thickness, and 42mm lug-to-lug provide balanced wrist presence and maintain the model’s blend of elegance and versatility. The case uses a combination of finishes to create subtle visual contrast. Only the top surface is brushed, while the bezel and case flanks feature a fully polished finish that reflects light cleanly and frames the dial with a smooth, mirror-like edge. At 3 o’clock, the knurled onion-shaped crown adds a touch of texture and echoes design cues from traditional Fears models.
This geometric approach to form aligns naturally with the principles of the De Stijl movement, which emphasized structure, clarity, and harmonious proportions, making the case a fitting canvas for this artistic collaboration.
A Dial Inspired by Dutch Modern Art
The centerpiece of the watch is its dial, created by Fears’ in-house designer Lee Yuen-Rapati. The design draws heavily from the visual language of De Stijl, the Dutch art movement founded in 1917 by Piet Mondriaan, Theo van Doesburg, and others. Known for its focus on primary colors, straight lines, and simplified compositions, De Stijl becomes the foundation for a striking yet functional reinterpretation of the Brunswick’s dial layout.
The dial features a composition of colors – black, grey, blue, red, and yellow rectangles arranged in a way that is both artistic and purposeful. The black rectangular elements double as hour markers, blending seamlessly into the design. A blue square positioned at 6 o’clock serves as the running seconds subdial, adding both symmetry and functional clarity. The hour and minute hands maintain the characteristic skeletonized shape associated with Fears and are rendered in black for strong contrast against the colorful background. The sub-seconds hand, finished in white, stands out crisply within the blue square.
The overall effect is a modernist composition with clear references to Mondriaan’s work, transforming the watch into a miniature piece of wearable art while still remaining legible enough for daily use.
Manual-Wind Movement by La Joux-Perret
Inside the watch is the manual-winding La Joux-Perret D100 movement, a Swiss-made caliber chosen for its reliability and elegant simplicity. The movement operates at a frequency of 21,600 vibrations per hour, contains 18 jewels, and delivers a power reserve of approximately 50 hours. Owners can view the movement through the sapphire exhibition caseback, which also displays each watch’s individual number out of the limited run of 50. A screw-down caseback contributes to the watch’s 100 meters of water resistance, a practical feature for a timepiece with a manually wound movement. Final assembly takes place in England, underscoring Fears’ commitment to its historical roots.
Price & Availability
The Fears x Ace Jewelers Brunswick 38 “De Stijl Edition” is limited to 50 pieces and priced at €4,114. It is available exclusively through Ace Jewelers and Fears.
General Specifications:
Brand: Fears
Model: Brunswick 38 “De Stijl Edition”
Reference: BS23800B.029.047
Dial: White with black, grey, blue, red and yellow elements
Case Material: Stainless steel
Case Dimensions: 38 mm Diameter, 11.69 mm thickness, 42 mm lug-to-lug
Crystal: Sapphire glass
Case Back: Sapphire glass
Water Resistance: 100 Meters
Strap: Black leather strap with a steel pin buckle
Calibre: La Joux-Perret D100
Functions: Hours, minutes, small seconds
Winding: Hand-wound
Jewels: 18
Frequency: 3 Hz (21,600 Vph)
Power Reserve: 50 Hours
Price: € 4,114
Limited Edition: Yes, 50 pieces
Availability: Ace Jewelrs boutiques and Fears
