10 Watches Fit for a British Coronation

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10 Watches Fit for a British Coronation - Coronation
5 minutes read
How Horologically British are you?

As the resident Brit at WorldTempus – and subject to His Majesty King Charles III – I could not possibly let the momentous occasion of a coronation slip by without marking the occasion. After much reflection with my colleague Suzanne Wong, who went to university in the UK and is strangely fond of British cuisine, we have devised a little list of how to up your Britishness – horologically speaking that is – before the big day. 

10 Watches Fit for a British Coronation

The British and the Watch Escapement

Back in the mid-18th century, an English watchmaker named Thomas Mudge first invented the lever escapement, bringing a huge improvement to watchmaking precision. I say “first” invented because over the following century, several Swiss manufacturers continued to work on this type of mechanism and today it is known as the Swiss lever escapement. It is still used in the majority of mechanical watches, but it was all started by a compatriot! 

The British escapement story doesn’t end there as master watchmaker, Georges Daniels, another British horological genius, wasn’t content with the Swiss lever escapement and decided to work on a new mechanism. In 1974, he revealed a new, superior type of escapement called the co-axial escapement. It is one of the few watch escapements which has been invented in modern times and its design was purchased by Omega, who industrialised it in 1999 and now use it in the vast majority of their watches today. So, why not tune into the coronation proceedings today with the following:

Level 1
Strap on any Omega watch with the Daniels’ co-axial escapement inside.

Level 2
Choose the Omega Seamaster Diver 300M 007 Edition for some James Bond vibes. It doesn’t get more British than this!

Level 3
Wake up and strap on either of the above watches, make some Marmite on toast for breakfast, and turn on the television to watch the royal proceedings. You will also need a cup of black tea with milk to complete the look. 

10 Watches Fit for a British Coronation

Minute Repeaters Fit for a King

The invention of the minute repeater dates back to the 17th century and is a hotly contested debate between two Englishmen: Daniel Quare and Rev. Edward Barlow. We will never really know who to credit, but for the Coronation, it doesn’t really matter, as they are both British! 

Level 1
If you are lucky enough to have a minute repeater in your collection, now is the time to get it out of the safe and wind it up for this important occasion. 

Level 2
You get bonus points if it has a Westminster chime.

Level 3
If you love a good debate, bake some scones this afternoon and start a heated discussion about whether the jam or the cream goes first! (For info: Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II spread her jam first, as do I!)

10 Watches Fit for a British Coronation

A Certified Chronometer

The term “chronometer” was first used by British clockmaker John Arnold to describe his groundbreakingly accurate pocket chronometer called the “no. 1/36”. But ordinary clocks were of no use at sea due to temperature changes and the ship’s motion. In the 18th century, John Harrison, a self-taught British carpenter, entered a government competition to invent a device to determine a ship’s longitude at sea within 30 geographical miles. The prize was £20,000 (around £1.5m in today’s money) and Harrison not only got the prize money, but went on to make a series of marine chronometers. 

Level 1
For you coronation outfit, how about wearing a COSC-certified chronometer? 

Level 2
You could also wear a chronometer with a fusée and chain, such as a Ferdinand Berthoud, to honour the era of marine chronometers. Admittedly, Berthoud was French, but we will overlook that!

Level 3
The British Navy was the first to give its sailors lemon or lime juice to ward off scurvy, a vitamin C deficiency that plagued sailors who were often at sea for months on end without fruits or vegetables. The American sailors thought the British sailors were mad and called them “Limeys”. So, if you want to really rock your chronometer during the coronation, a gin and tonic with a generous slice of lime would be quite the done thing for this evening’s aperitif!

10 Watches Fit for a British Coronation

A World Time Complication

The British Commonwealth of Nations came into being following a conference in 1926 between Britain and the Dominions, where they agreed that they would all be equal members of a community within the British Empire. They agreed to pledge allegiance to the British King or Queen, but that the United Kingdom did not rule over them. The King is the Sovereign of 14 Commonwealth realms in addition to the UK. His Majesty is also Head of the Commonwealth itself, a voluntary association of 56 independent countries. 

Level 1
To manage all the different time zones, a worldtimer would definitely show your allegiance to the new King!

Level 2
And a timepiece featuring a Greenwich Meridien would bring you some serious bonus points.

Level 3
And reflecting how Britain’s domestic identity was forever changed by its colonies, the unofficial national dish of modern Britain is chicken tikka masala, so if you need ideas for a weekend dinner!

10 Watches Fit for a British Coronation

Military Style Timepieces

The British Royal Armed Forces are a source of national pride in the UK. All the princes have served their country and even Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II worked as a car mechanic in the Auxiliary Territorial Service in WW2. As for the new king, he served in both the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force, where he learned to fly helicopters and parachute. 

Level 1
Strapping on a military-style timepiece for the coronation would therefore be a very fitting choice. 

Level 2
If you really want to reinforce the British connection, anything by the British watch brand Bremont would bring you royal approval. 

Level 3
And to accompany your horological military choice, how about some Eton Mess, a mashed-up version of the famous Swiss dish of meringues, raspberries and cream that was invented by the famous private school of the same name? 

10 Watches Fit for a British Coronation

We hope you have enjoyed this fun piece and will tune in to this weekend’s celebrations in horological style. If you are planning to watch the coronation this Saturday, do send us your pics on Instagram @worldtempus. We will post the best ones. 

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