The Real Time Show: "Best of British Watches' Kevin Roberts Lights Up The Studio"

Host: Rob Nudds

Guest: Kevin Roberts, Founder & Host of Best of British Watches Event

Date: August 24, 2025

Overview

This vibrant episode of the Real Time Show brings the ever-enthusiastic Kevin Roberts back into the studio to talk all things British horology—past, present, and future. With the third edition of the Best of British Watches event in Brighton looming, hosts Rob Nudds and Alon Ben Joseph are joined by Kevin to discuss his personal journey from humble South London beginnings, through watch collecting missteps and highlights, to his pivotal role in championing a new British watchmaking renaissance.

The conversation seamlessly blends personal anecdotes, reflections on the UK watch scene, and a comprehensive, honest preview of every brand appearing at the upcoming Best of British Watches event. It’s a warm, humorous, and insightful insider's tour for collectors, enthusiasts, and anyone interested in microbrands or the future of the British watch industry.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Kevin Roberts’ Origins: From Fake TAG to Microbrand Evangelist

• Humble Beginnings: Kevin describes growing up with little money on a South London council estate. His first "watch" was a £20 fake TAG Heuer, bought by pooling his sisters’ limited funds—an act he still remembers fondly and humorously.
• Quote:
  "I begged them to get me a Tag Heuer...I got them to spend £20 on a fake Tag Heuer F1 which actually got me over that itch and I have to say that's where it started." – Kevin [02:15]
• His First Real Watch: After entering the construction industry at 16, witnessing bosses splurging on luxury watches during an era of industry largesse inspired him. He finally acquired a real Breitling Airwolf, but not without a "naughty" detour—buying it for himself during his wife's birthday trip to Jersey.
• Relationship Dynamics: His wife Annalene, now a discerning collector herself, grounds and partakes in his watch collecting life.

On Watch Collecting: Tastes, Sales, and Notable Pieces

• Kevin rarely flips watches. He describes only selling those that don’t "click," like a Rolex OP41 Silver Dial and Tudor Bucherer Blue, favoring pieces with character.
• Recent Favorites:
  • Omega Speedmaster 45th Anniversary Apollo 13 (Sedna gold, under-the-radar, a “top three Omega”).
  • Breitling Airwolf – an enduring favorite.
  • “I’m more into traditional materials and certainly, certainly traditional colorways…” – Kevin [34:23]

The Booming British Watch Scene

• A Microbrand Golden Age:
  Kevin celebrates the vibrant explosion of new British brands, particularly in the microbrand space. He highlights the regional appetite and the importance of events outside of London to make the scene accessible to wider audiences.
• Quote:
  "British watchmaking is on a boom at this moment in time...it's a fantastic time to be British." – Kevin [15:43]
• Challenges:
  High-end independents like Roger Smith, Frodsham, and Strothers are admired but out of reach, with availability and price being major obstacles ("I'd be in the grave before I actually get one." – Kevin [18:53]).

Mental Health and the Watch Community

• Samaritan Service:
  A poignant moment—Kevin reveals he is a certified Samaritan, listening to those in need and advocating for men's mental health. This links to supporting Angus Collins' charity rowing endeavor, covered by Fears, another prominent British brand.
• Quote:
  "I am actually a certified Samaritan. I listen to people who are at desperate need of help ... not so much give them advice, but we're just there to just listen." – Kevin [48:01]

Event Preview: Best of British Watches 2025 – Brand-by-Brand Breakdown

The conversation works through each exhibiting brand, mixing honest opinions, reminiscences, and inside stories. Here’s the need-to-know, with Kevin’s candid takes.

[28:18] APIA

• 3D Printing Innovators: Newcomers experimenting with case technology. Kevin respects them but is wary of longevity and currently wouldn't buy one, likening his hesitance to the uncertainty about ceramics in early days.
• Quote:
  "I love the intricacies of what they are doing... it's just not for me." – Kevin [34:23]

[36:53] Paulin

• Glasgow Creativity: Fun, ultra-legible, but too small for Kevin’s wrist. He applauds the colors and typography.
• Quote:
  “That's a fun watch, but unfortunately they are too small.” – Kevin [37:10]

[38:20] Beaucroft

• Retro Cool: Cambridge-based. Kevin’s wife wants one; he loves the design, particularly the Element 39.5mm ("Would I buy one? Yes. Actually, truth be told, my wife does want a Bowcroft watch...” – Kevin [38:23]).
• Execution: Great finishing, conservative style, reliable, well-priced.

[42:15] Duckworth Prestex

• Industry Legend Neil Duckworth’s Brand: Kevin admires the California Dial and cushion cases, loves the yellow variant, regrets missing out.
• Rectangular Watches: Not Kevin’s style (wrist size!) but applauds the Parker model.

[44:52] Fears

• Personal Favorite: Close connections with Nicholas Bowman-Scargill; owns several, including a custom piece. Calls the brand’s style “elegantly understated.” First look at three new watches at the Brighton event.
• Quote:
  "Nicholas knows what he's doing... every single year, 100 executed to the best of their ability." – Kevin [45:36]

[50:27] Benjamin James

• Rectangular Watches: Kevin likes the fume dials, but not quite for his or his wife’s collection.
• Excellent Value: Well-priced (~£500), elegant colors, nods to Cartier and JLC in style.

[53:02] Christopher Ward

• British Powerhouse: Third year at the show, revered for diversity, quality, and new, still-secret releases. GPHG winners and mainstays.

[54:43] Edward Christopher

• Affordable, Quirky, Well-Built: Dual crowns, bold dial colors, good value. Not revolutionary, but solid and fun.

[56:28] Elliot Brown

• Rock-Solid Tool Watches: “You could literally crack a nut with it.” Extremely durable, attractively priced (~£650), “could take swimming, climb a mountain, go in a desert.”

[57:20] Isotope

• Fun & Experimental: Jose Miranda’s creative house—quirky designs, great fanbase, often tongue-in-cheek.
• Quote:
  “What the watch industry needs is quirky and fun, not to take itself too seriously.” – Kevin [58:13]
• Collabs: Mentions notable collaborations with Miguel Seabra and Wei Koh (Watches Magazine, The Rake).

[63:05] Pinion

• Classic British Microbrand: Well-established, respected; Kevin tempted but hesitates on size.

[64:56] Schofield

• Design Powerhouse: Giles Ellis lauded for graphic genius—including the industry’s best business cards. Unrivaled for branding, color, and dial decoration.

[66:07] Shure (SHE R) Watches

• Kids’ Watches: New; aims to teach time-telling in analog format ("It's shocking that, you know, kids nowadays do not know how to tell the time on a proper watch.” – Kevin [67:10]).
• Pitch: For watch-collecting parents, built in solid steel, 100m WR, £95 price.

[75:12] Studio Underdog

• Beloved by All: Expecting (rumored) new release around event time. Richard B. known for innovative, playful, color-forward chronographs.
• Quote:
  "Everyone knows about Richard and Studio Underdog. I think it's time to move on." – Kevin [75:19]

[75:58] Zero West

• Aviation-Themed, Authentically British: Based near Southampton, watches inspired by WWII airplanes with real aircraft components.
• Favorites:
  • Rob: M1 Mosquito 41mm – "John Player Special" style.
  • Kevin: Sold-out RAFC, loves the striped dial, stands out in the market.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the Value of Regional Watch Events:
  "If there's no need to go into London, why go into London? ... Regional events are possibly a way forward." – Kevin [23:39]
• On Selling High-End Horology to British Collectors:
  "They are just, they are unattainable for me at this moment in time. ... I'll be in the grave before I actually get one." – Kevin, on Roger Smith waitlists [18:53]
• Kevin on Watch Journalism’s Cynicism (Rob):
  “My point is, I noticed a couple of years ago I was starting to sound a bit like a bot... I decided I was going to try and step back...” – Rob [31:49]
• Kevin’s Lethal Threat (with Humor):
  "The option was to actually sit on you with my trousers down...and you wearing velvet, keep my ass warm." [19:29]
• On Kid’s Watches and the State of Analog Time Telling:
  "It's shocking that...kids nowadays do not know how to tell the time on a proper watch.” – Kevin [67:10]
• On Schofield’s Giles Ellis:
  "The greatest graphic designer watchmaking has had. And it’s possibly his history..." – Rob [64:56]

Event Details & Practical Info

Best of British Watches 2025 (Third Edition)

• Date: Saturday, September 13th, 2025
• Time: 1:00–5:00 PM
• Venue: Old Ship Hotel, Brighton
• Entry: £7.50 + Eventbrite fees (includes a drink and tote bag)
• Kids: Under 16 admitted free (no tote or drink)
• Brands Showcasing (alphabetical):
  • Apia
  • Beaucroft
  • Benjamin James
  • Christopher Ward
  • Duckworth Prestex
  • Edward Christopher
  • Elliot Brown
  • Fears
  • Isotope
  • Paulin
  • Pinion
  • Schofield
  • Shure
  • Studio Underdog
  • Zero West

Final Encouragement:
“Bring the family, send them to the beach. Hopefully the sun's out. ... We do have families that do turn up—wives, girlfriends, kids, you know." – Kevin [82:05]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [01:59] Kevin’s introduction and early watch history
• [07:46] Annalene’s tastes & dynamic as a watch couple
• [09:32] Watches Kevin has sold and why
• [10:48] Notable pieces in Kevin’s collection this week
• [13:17] The current British microbrand “boom”
• [15:16] Organization of the Best of British Watches event
• [23:39] Importance of regional events (vs. London-centric)
• [28:18] Brand-by-brand discussion begins (APIA)
• [36:53] Paulin—design vs. wearability
• [38:20] Beaucroft—wife’s favorite
• [42:15] Duckworth Prestex—history & California Dial
• [44:52] Fears—personal connection and preview of new releases
• [47:13] Supporting mental health (Angus Collins, Samaritans)
• [50:27] Benjamin James—rectangles & fume dials
• [53:02] Christopher Ward—anticipating new release
• [54:43] Edward Christopher—good value, unique features
• [56:28] Elliot Brown—tool watch reliability
• [57:20] Isotope—quirky design, successful collabs
• [63:05] Pinion—classic microbrand, memories
• [64:56] Schofield—design genius Giles Ellis, best business cards
• [66:07] Shure—kids’ watches, analog literacy
• [75:12] Studio Underdog—always anticipated
• [75:58] Zero West—aviation inspiration, favorites revealed
• [82:05] Event practical details (tickets, kids, what’s included)

Further Engagement

• Get in touch: Contact via Instagram @realtime.show; email Rob, Alon, or David, or visit www.therealtime.show.
• To follow Scarlett: Instagram @scarlindeshire

Tone & Feel

The episode is high-spirited and candid, with affectionate ribbing, personal stories, and frank assessments of both people and products. There’s a sense of community, generosity, and humor throughout—a love letter to British watchmaking and those who make the scene tick.

Summary by section, including all notable brands and moments, as they appeared in the conversation. For the full event or to dive deeper into any of the brands, hit up the Best of British Watches event, or follow the Real Time Show for continuing coverage.