A fantastic night for First Class Watches. Celebrating independent watch retail and the people who make the industry special.
We’re incredibly proud to announce that First Class Watches has won Independent Retailer of the Year – Volume at the 2026 UK Watch Awards, hosted by Watch Insider.
The awards took place at Goldsmiths’ Hall in London on 20 October. This magnificent venue provided the setting for a memorable evening. Retailers, watch brands and industry professionals came together to celebrate the UK watch industry. For our team, it was a fantastic opportunity to celebrate with people who share our passion for watches.
A Proud Moment for First Class Watches
Winning Independent Retailer of the Year – Volume is a significant milestone for First Class Watches. We’re proud to be an independent retailer with a passion for watches. We’re equally passionate about delivering excellent customer service.
Our collection features more than 150 watch brands. It includes everyday favourites and distinctive designs for dedicated enthusiasts. We aim to offer something for every kind of watch lover. Our team is here to help customers find their perfect timepiece. That applies whether they’re buying their first watch or adding to an established collection.
This award recognises the hard work and commitment of our team. It also reflects the relationships we’ve built with our customers, suppliers and brand partners. These relationships are an important part of our business.
We’re delighted to receive this recognition. We’d like to thank everyone who has supported us along the way. This achievement means a great deal to our team.
Bringing the Watch Industry Together
One of the highlights of the UK Watch Awards was meeting familiar faces from across the watch industry. The evening gave us a chance to catch up with industry contacts. It was also an opportunity to celebrate the people behind some fantastic watch brands.
The event began with Insider Talks. These sessions featured panel discussions on the challenges and opportunities facing the industry. Topics included British watchmaking, modern luxury retail and building successful brands.
Our own Scott Lucas joined Chris Ellis of Dipples and Shari Francis of Francis & Gaye for the Modern Luxury Retail discussion. The panel explored how the retail landscape is changing. They also shared their thoughts on connecting with customers in today’s market.
Other sessions featured some of the industry’s most interesting names. These included Mike France of Christopher Ward, Richard Benc of Studio Underd0g and Nicholas Bowman-Scargill of Fears. Chloe Cozzi of HERBELIN also featured in the discussions.
It was great to hear different perspectives from across the industry. Established British watchmakers continue to play an important role in the market. Meanwhile, newer brands are bringing fresh ideas and approaches. The discussions highlighted the creativity, expertise and ambition that make the watch industry so exciting.
Celebrating Our Brand Partnerships
Our relationships with watch brands and industry partners are an important part of First Class Watches. We’re proud to work with a wide range of names. These partnerships help us bring an extensive choice of watches to customers across the UK and beyond.
Our relationship with HERBELIN is one example of these valued partnerships. It was great to see the brand represented at the event. We’re always pleased to celebrate the people and businesses we work with.
Events like the UK Watch Awards also give us time to catch up with our partners. We can share ideas, discuss the industry and strengthen existing relationships. These connections matter to us. We look forward to building on them and introducing even more customers to the brands we love.
Thank You to Time & More UK, WOLF & Watch Insider
We’d like to give a special thank you to Time & More UK. They sponsored the Independent Retailer of the Year – Volume category. Their support helps recognise the achievements of independent retailers across the industry.
We’re grateful to WOLF for the invitation and support. The evening was a fantastic opportunity to celebrate alongside our industry partners and fellow retailers.
We’d also like to thank Watch Insider for hosting such a fantastic event and bringing together so many people from across the watch industry. It was a memorable evening celebrating the brands, retailers and people who make the industry so special.
Events like the UK Watch Awards play an important role in bringing the industry together. They recognise the hard work taking place across watch retail and manufacturing. They also give businesses the chance to celebrate one another’s achievements.
Congratulations to all the winners and highly commended businesses across the different categories. It was fantastic to see so many talented people and companies recognised for their work.
Looking Ahead
We’re taking a moment to celebrate this achievement. However, our focus remains firmly on the future. Our customers, our team and our passion for watches will always be at the heart of what we do.
We’ll continue to grow our collection and strengthen our relationships with our brand partners. We’ll also keep looking for new ways to serve our customers. Our aim remains the same: to offer great choice, expert knowledge and excellent service.
Winning Independent Retailer of the Year – Volume at the 2026 UK Watch Awards is a moment we’re incredibly proud of. It recognises the work our team puts in every day. It also reflects the support we’ve received from our customers, suppliers and partners throughout our journey.
Thank you to everyone who has supported First Class Watches. We’re proud of what we’ve achieved together. We’re also excited about what comes next.
Explore the collection at First Class Watches and discover your next timepiece.
