The Real Time Show: Athlete and Advocate Angus Collins Teams Up With Fears MD Nicholas Bowman-Scargill

Podcast Information

• Title: The Real Time Show
• Hosts: Rob Nudds & Alon Ben Joseph
• Episode: Athlete and Advocate Angus Collins Teams Up With Fears MD Nicholas Bowman-Scargill
• Release Date: June 22, 2025
• Description: Real questions. Real Answers. Real talk. The world's most interactive watchmaking podcast, hosted by Rob Nudds and Alon Ben Joseph.

Introduction

In this compelling episode of The Real Time Show, host Rob Nudds welcomes two distinguished guests: Nicholas Bowman-Scargill, Managing Director of Fears Watches based in Bristol, and Angus Collins, an ultra-endurance athlete and passionate mental health advocate. The episode delves deep into their professional endeavors, personal journeys, and the inspiring partnership they've forged to support mental health initiatives through the world of watchmaking.

Behind the Scenes at Fears Watches

Nicholas Bowman-Scargill provides listeners with an insider’s perspective on his role as the CEO and Managing Director of Fears Watches. Spoken at [00:34], he describes his current location:

"I'm back in Geneva for the third time this year, sadly... I'm in Geneva for the Expo Watch Show, which is really interesting actually, because this is not about built watches. It's purely about the components that go into watches."

Nicholas emphasizes the importance of the Expo Watch Show, highlighting it as the hub for sourcing essential watch components such as crowns, cases, movements, dials, and hands. This environment allows him and his team to "properly geek out" over four days of networking and procurement, crucial for maintaining Fears Watches' reputation for quality and precision.

Angus Collins: From Ocean Rowing to Mental Health Advocacy

Angus Collins shares his rich family heritage steeped in adventure, which shaped his path towards becoming an ocean rower and mental health advocate. At [03:32], Angus recounts:

"I come from a family of adventurous souls... my parents were scuba diving instructors... my uncle was America's Cup sailor... my sister has also rowed across the ocean."

His extensive background in ocean rowing is marked by remarkable achievements, including being part of the youngest team to row across the Indian Ocean from Australia to the Seychelles, a journey that faced severe storms and extended their crossing time by 30 days.

Angus details the rigors of ocean rowing at [07:13]:

"We're in a nine-meter boat... two people rowing and two people wrestling... it's basically a coffin... row, sleep, eat, repeat."

Despite the physical demands, Angus's journey is also a poignant narrative of battling inner demons. He opens up about his struggle with depression, culminating in a suicide attempt on his 30th birthday. This personal battle led him to mental health advocacy, focusing on supporting men—a demographic disproportionately affected by suicide in the UK.

Building a Purpose-Driven Partnership

The conversation shifts to how Angus and Nicholas connected and the genesis of their partnership. Angus explains at [20:57] his vision for the Great British Odyssey, a solo ocean row around Great Britain aimed at raising awareness and funds for mental health through the charity James's Place.

"I wanted to have British companies that could elevate what I'm doing... I've loved watches all my life... I can't rely on technology to tell me what my body's doing. I need to understand myself."

Nicholas recounts receiving Angus's sponsorship email:

"I love this... the mission is to raise a quarter of a million pounds for James's Place... this is something I really want to get behind."

After thorough deliberation, Nicholas and his team at Fears Watches swiftly mobilized to support Angus's expedition, recognizing the alignment of their values and the impactful mission behind the Great British Odyssey.

Crafting the Perfect Expedition Watch

A significant highlight of the episode is the development of a bespoke watch tailored for Angus's expedition. Nicholas details the unique modifications made to ensure the watch's durability and functionality in harsh oceanic conditions at [34:33]:

"The watch on Angus's wrist doesn't have spring bars, it's actually got welded in fixed bars... upgraded to a full 300 meters because... it's going to be hit and splashed with salty water all the time."

Key features of the Experimental 01 and Brunswick Odyssey models include:

• Water Resistance: 150 meters for the civilian model, upgraded to 300 meters for the expedition watch.
• Durability: Welded fixed bars to prevent wear from constant movement.
• Legibility: Sandblasted satinized finish to reduce glare, enhancing visibility in various lighting conditions.
• Luminescence: Top-grade X2 Super Luminova for extended glow during nighttime.
• Special Design Elements: Incorporation of Angus's personal logo— a whiskey flag indicating "immediate assistance needed."

Angus shares his appreciation for the watch at [31:21]:

"I absolutely love it. The fit is perfect and there's no distractions on it... it's something I'll cherish the rest of my life."

Operational Excellence and Future Endeavors

Nicholas elaborates on the strategic approach taken to produce the specialized watches within a tight timeframe:

"We have the technical knowledge to do this... this is a tool, not a toy... I'm very excited to be continuing to work with Angus."

The partnership isn't just a one-off project. Nicholas emphasizes the intention to use the insights gained from this collaboration to enhance future Fears Watches products, ensuring they meet the highest standards of functionality and reliability.

Angus outlines his expedition plans and the significance of community support at [44:40]:

"I've designed the boat to take 60 days worth of food... the hope is 60 days I'll be back on dry land and we would have raised a very decent amount of money for the charity."

In the event of unforeseen challenges, a contingency plan is in place to maintain momentum in supporting mental health initiatives.

Call to Action: Supporting Mental Health

The episode culminates with a heartfelt appeal to listeners to support James's Place. Angus provides details on how to contribute:

"Every penny, every pound makes a massive difference... they're a very lean, efficient charity that's making massive changes to people's lives."

Listeners are encouraged to follow Angus's journey via Instagram (@ANGUSCOLLINSBE) and to support the Great British Odyssey through donations on gbodyssey.com.

Conclusion

Rob Nudds wraps up the episode by highlighting the profound impact of Angus's dual role as an adventurer and mental health advocate, underscored by the meticulous craftsmanship of Fears Watches. The partnership exemplifies how passion and purpose can converge to create meaningful change, inspiring listeners to support mental health initiatives and appreciate the artistry behind fine watchmaking.

Key Takeaways:

• The synergy between Fears Watches and Angus Collins showcases the potential of purposeful partnerships.
• Angus's personal journey underscores the importance of mental health advocacy, especially among men.
• The development of the Experimental 01 watch exemplifies innovation driven by real-world needs.
• Support for James's Place is crucial in providing lifelines to those battling suicidal crises.

Notable Quotes:

• Nicholas Bowman Scargill [00:34]: "This is where we come to do our shopping, meet all of our suppliers, because as people may know, we always get all the components made to our designs and spec individually from expertise."
• Angus Collins [03:32]: "I know there are thousands of people around the UK that need that help as well."
• Nicholas Bowman Scargill [25:31]: "This email from Angus... I just love this."
• Angus Collins [44:40]: "If it's any more than that then I've got to get pretty good at fishing, which I'm not good at."

Stay Connected

• Follow Angus: @ANGUSCOLLINSBE
• Follow Fears Watches: @fearswatchers
• Follow Nicholas Bowman Scargill: @nicholabowmanscargill
• Donate to James's Place: Visit gbodyssey.com and follow the Just Giving link.

This episode of The Real Time Show not only celebrates the craftsmanship of luxury watchmaking but also amplifies the vital conversation around mental health, demonstrating how dedication and collaboration can lead to impactful societal contributions.