Worn & Wound
Fears and Ace Jewelers Release a Limited Edition Paying Tribute to the De Stijl Movement
Much like art cars, art watches are often divisive; those who favor function tend to dismiss them as wrist candy, while the stylish or art-forward tend to snap them up as fast as possible. So, when a microbrand with a reputation for both mechanical and design prowess decides to make an art watch-in this case, a watch inspired by a recognizable artist-it gets everyone a little giddy, and a little nervous. Enter the newest Fears and Ace Jewelers’ collaboration: the Brunswick 38 De Stijl Edition. Put forth as a partnership between Dutch artistry (as represented by the Amsterdam-based Ace Jewelers) and British refinement (courtesy of Bristol’s own Fears), the De Stijl Edition is inspired by the Dutch artistic movement of the same name, and based on the Fears Brunswick 38 platform. The De Stijl movement was founded by Theo van Doesburg in the early twentieth-century, and its most well-known artist is Piet Mondriaan, whose work has clearly played a large role in the conception of the De Stijl Edition; more on that below. First, though, let’s take a look at the basics of the Brunswick 38. It features a 38mm stainless steel cushion case that Fears fans will recognize instantly, thanks to now-iconic design elements like the onion-shaped crown and lack of flat surfaces. Inside, a manual-winding La Joux-Perret D100 movement provides the mechanical heartbeat of the De Stijl, and ensures the level of functionality and refinement that enthusiasts have come to expect from Fea...
