BUSINESS PROFILE
Nicholas Bowman-Scargill
Managing director, Fears
Words Alastair James
T radition, transparency and timelessness – three words that go a long way to describe the philosophy and style of Nicholas Bowman-Scargill, the fourth managing director of Fears watchmakers. Started in 1846 by his great-great-great grandfather, Edwin Fear, the company ran until 1976, when it closed its doors. Then, almost 40 years later, at a fateful Sunday roast, Nicholas decided to restart the business. Here, he tells us how that came about and why time certainly isn’t up for the humble wristwatch.
Did you always want to work with watches?
No, I wanted to be a train driver. Even to this day, I’m an avid reader of Rail Magazine. I grew up interested in watches, but I didn’t really know [making them] was a profession until many years later. So, it wasn’t my original dream, but it became my ambition later on, in my twenties.
You could say you changed track…
Exactly!
Do you still think about being a train driver?
When I was looking to change careers in 2010/2011, I researched both that and making watches. I preferred the sound of being a watchmaker — working in a workshop in a quiet environment, being very precise — whereas the shift work involved in being a train driver didn’t appeal to me. Maybe one day I’ll sell the company and retrain…
How many watches do you own at the moment?