Interview: Stephen O’Connor of The British Bench
Stephen O'Connor, founder of The British Bench, discusses his independent website dedicated to documenting the design, manufacturing, assembly, regulation, and testing locations of British watches. The site aims to provide clarity on watch provenance, as the UK lacks a regulated standard like "Swiss Made," leading O'Connor to develop a five-tier framework to categorize watches based on where their production processes occur.
The British Bench was created to address the confusion surrounding the definition of a "British watch," as brands can have varying degrees of British design, manufacturing, and assembly.
O'Connor developed a five-tier approach to categorize watches, recognizing that "belonging" to a country is a nuanced inquiry rather than a simple label.
The website's methodology prioritizes evidence and transparency, distinguishing between where work is done (provenance) and how well it is done (review).
O'Connor believes "Made in" appellations still matter in a globalized world, emphasizing the value of transparency about a watch's production route over a vague national label.
Information for the site is gathered through published materials and direct inquiries to watchmakers, with brands having the opportunity to provide evidence and clarify their production processes.
Brand responses to The British Bench's classifications have been mixed, with some supportive and others questioning the project's utility or methodology.
Future plans for The British Bench include strengthening the provenance framework, adding more makers and collections, incorporating authorized imagery, and developing practical tools for watchmakers.