Farer Integra

Farer, an independent British watch company founded in 2015, has consistently carved out a niche for itself through a design language that is both adventurous and meticulously considered. Operating with a philosophy of creating high-quality, Swiss-made timepieces that offer a distinct point of view, the brand has garnered a dedicated following. Their approach involves taking classic watch archetypes and infusing them with a unique personality, often through the bold and thoughtful application of color and texture. Farer's commitment to quality is underscored by their practice of designing everything in their London studio before handing production over to skilled artisans in Switzerland, ensuring a blend of British creative spirit and Swiss horological precision.

The latest chapter in the Farer story is the Integra collection, a series of four watches that represent the brand's interpretation of the modern urban sports watch. This category, often defined by watches with integrated bracelets and a design that balances ruggedness with refinement, is a popular but challenging space. The name "Integra" itself is derived from the Latin word "integer," meaning "whole" or "complete," a fitting descriptor for a watch designed to be a singular, cohesive object from case to clasp. The collection aims to be a "do-it-all" timepiece, equally at home in the boardroom as it is on a weekend adventure.



This new collection consists of four distinct models, each named with a Latin term that alludes to its dial's character: the ink blue Tenebris, the salmon pink Cuprum, the malachite Viridis, and the mother-of-pearl Perlarum. While each watch possesses its own unique identity through its dial, they all share a common architectural foundation, from the sculpted case to the painstakingly engineered movement within, creating a family of watches that is both diverse and unified.

At the heart of the Integra's physical presence is its uniquely sculpted case. Machined from 316L marine-grade stainless steel, it presents a confident yet wearable profile. The diameter measures a contemporary 38.5mm, with a lug-to-lug distance of 42mm, ensuring it will suit a wide variety of wrist sizes. One of the most notable specifications is the slender depth of just 10.3mm, including the curved sapphire crystal. This thinness is crucial for comfort and allows the watch to slide easily under a cuff, reinforcing its versatile nature.

The finishing of the case is a study in contrasts, a key element in elevating the watch's visual appeal. Broad, satin-brushed surfaces dominate the case, giving it a tool-watch robustness. These are sharply punctuated by Grade A mirror-polished chamfers that trace the contours of the case and bezel. This interplay of finishes allows the watch to catch and reflect light in dynamic ways, highlighting its strong, clean lines and sophisticated geometry. The overall silhouette is curved, which helps the watch wear slightly larger than its dimensions might suggest, giving it a strong presence without becoming overwhelming.

Protecting the dial is a curved sapphire crystal with a multi-layer anti-reflective coating applied to its underside. This application prevents the distracting reflections that can occur with exterior coatings while ensuring maximum clarity and legibility of the dial below. The case is rated for a water resistance of 100 meters (10 ATM), a specification bolstered by a screw-down crown. The crown itself is a small point of detail, inset with a bronze cap embossed with the Farer 'A' logo, adding a subtle touch of warmth and brand identity to the cool steel.



For a watch in the integrated sports category, the bracelet is arguably as important as the case itself. The Integra’s bracelet has been engineered with a focus on both aesthetic cohesion and ergonomic comfort. It begins at a broad 24mm where it meets the watch head, creating a seamless visual flow, and tapers dramatically to a mere 16mm at the clasp. This significant taper removes unnecessary bulk and allows the bracelet to conform comfortably to the wrist.

The construction of the bracelet is impressively complex. It features large, brushed outer links that are connected by completely separate, smaller polished center links. This multi-part construction creates a crisp and well-defined separation between the brushed and polished surfaces, a detail that adds a significant sense of refinement. Further enhancing both comfort and visual intricacy, the outer and inner edges of the bracelet are finished with polished chamfers.

Functionality is paramount in the bracelet's design. The links are secured by screws, making it straightforward for owners to size the bracelet at home. The discreet butterfly clasp maintains the bracelet's streamlined look and incorporates a clever on-the-fly micro-adjustment system. With a simple pull, the wearer can extend the bracelet by up to 3mm on either side, providing a total of 6mm of adjustment to account for changes in wrist size throughout the day. Finally, the bracelet attaches to the case with quick-release spring bars, allowing for an easy, tool-free swap to the included rubber strap.



Recognizing the need for a sportier option, Farer supplies each Integra with a complimentary rubber strap. This is not an off-the-shelf solution but a bespoke strap designed specifically for the collection. It features segmented sections that visually echo the links of the steel bracelet, maintaining the integrated aesthetic. The underside of the strap is textured, a practical detail that allows air to circulate and the wearer's skin to breathe, enhancing comfort during physical activity or in warm weather.

Flipping the Integra over reveals a sapphire exhibition case back, offering a view of the Swiss-made Sellita SW300-1 Top Grade movement. The choice of the SW300-1 over the more common SW200-1 is significant. It is a full 1mm slimmer, a key contributor to the watch's slender 10.3mm profile, and it offers an extended power reserve of approximately 56 hours. As a Top Grade calibre, each movement has been adjusted for accuracy in five positions, ensuring a high level of chronometric performance. It operates at a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour (4 Hz) and contains 25 jewels.

The most striking feature of the movement presentation is Farer's custom-designed rotor. Instead of the standard semi-circular weight, the Integra features a fully circular rotor, an exclusive design for the brand. This rotor is adorned with a series of cutouts that directly mirror the shape of the polished center links of the bracelet, creating a visual link between the exterior and interior of the watch. These openings also provide glimpses of the decorative snailed bridgework of the movement beneath. As a final, cohesive touch, the rotor is given a vapor-coated finish in a color that matches the dial of each specific model, tying the entire design together.



The dials are where the individual personalities of the Integra collection truly shine. The Tenebris model, priced at $1,650, features a sophisticated and versatile ink blue dial. It employs a multi-textured surface to create visual depth, with a sunray finish in the central sector that radiates outwards, surrounded by a finely grained texture on the main portion of the dial. This combination allows the dial to shift in appearance from a deep, uniform blue to a brighter, more dynamic shade as it plays with the light.

Sharing its price and dial construction with the Tenebris, the Cuprum offers a completely different feel with its distinctive salmon pink dial. This warm, coppery tone provides a refined look that is currently very popular among collectors. Like the Tenebris, it features a central sunray section and a grained main dial, giving the warm color a complex and engaging character. The salmon hue is rich without being overpowering, offering a unique alternative to more traditional dial colors.

For those seeking something truly unique, the Viridis model, at $1,765, boasts a dial cut from a single piece of malachite. This vibrant green stone is known for its entrancing ribbon-like patterns and banding. Because malachite is a natural material, the pattern of light and dark green running through the stone is completely unique to each individual watch, ensuring that no two Viridis models are ever identical. The stone is carefully shaped, polished, and etched to serve as the dial, creating a piece of natural art for the wrist.

The Perlarum, also priced at $1,765, uses mother-of-pearl for its dial. However, Farer has selected a specific type of mother-of-pearl that features a more subtle and discreet iridescence. This avoids an overly flashy effect and instead provides a gentle, pearlescent shimmer that shifts as the viewing angle changes. The result is a captivating dial that remains versatile and suitable for daily wear, expressing a quiet yet distinct character.



All four dials share several key design elements that unify the collection. Each is segmented by deeply etched horizontal lines, a motif that directly echoes the links of the integrated bracelet and creates a "track pattern" that seems to flow uninterrupted around the entire watch. The minute track is etched into a sloped, metallic brushed rehaut that frames the main dial, adding another layer of texture and depth.

The hour markers are a mix of applied batons and Arabic numerals at the 12, 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 o'clock positions. On the Tenebris, Cuprum, and Viridis, these markers are polished silver and filled with the latest Grade X2 Super-LumiNova for excellent low-light visibility. The tapered, beveled hour and minute hands are similarly filled with lume, and their bases are painted to match the dial color, creating a clever "floating" effect above the dial's surface. The seconds hand on these models is also color-matched to the dial, but with a polished tip that catches the light.

The Perlarum model takes a different approach to its markers, employing a Farer signature known as Lumicast. These are solid blocks made from a blend of ceramic and Grade X2 Super-LumiNova. A black overprint is then applied, creating a stark outline that produces a striking "backglow" effect when the lume is charged, appearing as if the markers are backlit from behind. To complement this high-contrast look, the hands are coated in gloss black, while the seconds hand is inverted, rendered in gloss white with a black tip for maximum legibility against the light mother-of-pearl backdrop.

The Farer Integra collection is a compelling and well-executed entry into the integrated sports watch segment. It successfully combines rugged specifications like 100m of water resistance and a durable steel construction with the sophisticated finishing and slender profile of a more formal timepiece. The attention to detail is evident everywhere, from the complex bracelet construction and on-the-fly adjustment to the custom-colored rotor on the high-grade Swiss movement.



With its four distinct dial variations, the collection offers something for a range of tastes, from the classic versatility of the Tenebris blue to the unique natural beauty of the Viridis malachite. Each model is a complete and considered package, living up to the "Integra" name.

The Farer Integra collection is available directly from the company’s website. The Tenebris and Cuprum models are priced at $1,650, while the Viridis and Perlarum models, featuring their special stone and mother-of-pearl dials, are priced at $1,765. This pricing, combined with the high-end specifications and unique design, positions the Integra as a strong contender for anyone seeking a versatile, characterful, and well-made modern sports watch.

Case: 316L marine-grade stainless steel; 38.5mm diameter, 10.3mm depth, 42mm lug-to-lug, 24mm lug width; satin brushed finish with polished chamfers; curved sapphire crystal with AR coating and sapphire exhibition back; 100M water resistance with screw-down crown.

Movement: Swiss-made Sellita SW300-1 Top Grade automatic; 56-hour power reserve, 25 jewels, 28,800 vph (4 Hz); adjusted in 5 positions; features a custom fully circular rotor with a vapor-coated finish matching the dial.

Dial: Four options: Tenebris (ink blue), Cuprum (salmon), Viridis (malachite), Perlarum (mother-of-pearl); features etched horizontal lines and applied markers filled with Grade X2 Super-LumiNova; Perlarum model uses solid Lumicast markers.

Strap: Integrated steel bracelet tapering from 24mm to 16mm with polished center links and a butterfly clasp featuring on-the-fly micro-adjustment; includes a complimentary quick-release rubber strap.

Price: $1,650 (Cuprum, Tenebris), $1,765 (Viridis, Perlarum).

Notes: The watch's name, Integra, is from the Latin word for "complete." The movement's custom rotor is fully circular and color-matched to the dial. The bracelet clasp allows for 6mm of tool-free micro-adjustment.