New from UK watch brand Duckworth Prestex is the Bolton range of watches. These really channel the spirit of John Harwood, who was famously from Bolton and invented the modern day automatic watch – yep, not a Swiss invention as commonly believed.

But I digress. My fave model from the retro inspired Bolton range is this handy 39mm chronograph. Clear dial design, nice old school pushers and that 70s TV dial square-ish case. Matched to a trad leather strap and you have the classic gents watch for under 500 quid.

It is a quartz engine inside not an automatic, but we can forgive that as it’s great to see some British watchmaking going on just down the road from the NWC mag office. I say office, more of a bike shed.

Here’s the spec from Duckworth Prestex;

The retro polished and brushed finished, cushion-style case is constructed out of durable 316L stainless steel. The watch is water resistant to 200m thanks to its screw-in case back and screw-down crown.

The dual-layer dial construction adds visual depth, with the outer minute track and sundials being recessed slightly. The the white lacquered dial accentuates the contrasting blue hands.

Ticking away silently inside is a Hattori VK64 quartz movement, chosen for its reliability and precision, accurate to +/- 20 seconds per month.

The sapphire glass is scratch-resistant, ensuring that the chronograph’s handsome looks will endure for many years to come, as an heirloom to be handed down to future generations – as so many Prestex watches were before.

The padded, Horween Chromexcel leather strap is supremely comfortable and durable, supplied with quick-release spring bars.

Every watch is individually quality checked and tested in our workshops before being offered for sale.