THE PERFECT WATCH TO WEAR WHILST YOU’RE HAVING THE TIME OF YOUR LIFE
We would count all of the ways in which we love Marloe Watch Company, but there’s so many that there isn’t enough time in the world (that’s the end of the time-related jokes – promise). In all seriousness, we think their work is bloomin’ fantastic: they’re an independent watchmaker designing and producing wristwatches to reinvigorate the world of timepieces. Their designs are all handwound, giving you a moment of reflection each morning; a chance to remember the special connection between two people, to remember your time spent together, and to relive your wedding day. Plus, each watch is engraved with a unique serial number, which makes them the perfect personalised gift to immortalise your wedding day forever. If you’ve ever had the WHAT’S A GOOD WEDDING PRESENT FOR MY GROOM struggle – it’s real, folks – we think we’ve just found your answer.
Plus – they’ve given you guys an exclusive 10% off with the discount code TWC10!
WHO ARE YOU + WHERE ARE YOU BASED?
We’re Marloe Watch Company, designers of beautiful, British, hand-wound timepieces. We’re a small but perfectly formed team of 3; Oliver and Gordon, co-founders, and Stephanie, Operations Associate.
DESCRIBE YOUR WORKPLACE
We’re based in a converted dovecote, nestled on the banks of the River Thames in rural Oxfordshire, and surrounded by beautiful woodland and rolling fields. Not your standard office! Gordon, our co-founder and designer of our watches, is based in Scotland and flies down every few weeks when he feels he needs a break from the Scottish weather and some face-to-face time with the team. As much as we’re hidden away in this little corner of the South East, we still get lots of visitors who are keen to see and try on the watches in real life, and we ship worldwide. We are proud to have built up a global customer base – we love knowing that our very British watches are on wrists in all sorts of exotic places.
WHERE/HOW DID IT ALL BEGIN?
It all started in 2015, when Oliver sent an email to an amazing designer and watch aficionado called Gordon (who he didn’t know but had stalked over the internet!) detailing his vision; to create a British designed, hand-wound, modern watch at an accessible price. Having had his eyes opened by the basic elements of his relatively expensive quartz watch (which he’d opened up to change the battery), Oliver wanted to create something with genuine value; that had been well-designed, engineered, that had a beating heart. Gordon initially shot Oliver down – with a young child and a full-on day job, it didn’t seem like the right time to be starting something new. But over the next few days, the temptation became too much, and Marloe Watch Company was born. 4 years later, and with the ever-growing support of our exceptional customers, we are honoured to be continuing to bring our vision to life.
FAVOURITE WORK TO DATE?
Our recently released Haskell Black Edition has been a real labour of love – a celebration of how far we have come, and how much we’ve learned. Our original Haskell range was our first Swiss-made watch; our flag in the snow, and a design which honours the true spirit of adventure and perseverance. The Black Edition is a Haskell, levelled up and refined – and the reception from our customers has been exceptional. It’s the most wonderful feeling, seeing others get excited about what you’ve created, and knowing that they will wear and treasure that watch forever.
WHO/WHAT INSPIRES YOU?
Gordon – my daughter.
Oliver – I’m inspired by those people in the world who take a leap of faith, who try to create something out of nothing – it’s those people who inspired me to create Marloe.
Stephanie – being outside in the wild, especially at home in the Scottish highlands. I only let myself make big decisions when I’m in the middle of nowhere with my dog.
DESCRIBE YOUR TYPICAL DAY
We spend our mornings processing and packing orders, communicating with our lovely customers and looking after the watches. Lunchtimes often involve walking an elderly Staffordshire Bull Terrier around the beautiful countryside surrounding our office. Afternoons are for musing, brainstorming, talking through ideas and creating – whether that’s writing, working on advertising, finalising design elements for our upcoming watch releases, or fine tuning our packaging. We’re always looking for ways to improve our customer service journey and challenge ourselves in our designs. There’s often a lot of snacking going on too – verging on competitive eating.
WHERE’S YOUR FAVOURITE PLACE TO GO?
Gordon – Carbost, Skye. A small, quaint village with a brewery in the middle of it, washing the village with beautiful aromas that ebb and flow with the wind. Every direction has breathtaking views. But send me anywhere in the Highlands and Islands, and I’ll be a happy chappy.
Oliver – Although I’ve been lucky enough to travel much of the world, I always love coming home – which for me is Henley-on-Thames where I live with my family. There is no better place for me to be than in our front room reading to my little boy, no competition whatsoever.
Steph – Edinburgh. It became my adopted home for a number of years, and it’s where my heart is – not least because it’s where I met my other half. Where else can you sit and drink a cocktail, watching a purple sunset over a castle next to a volcano?!
FAVOURITE WEDDING SUPPLIER?
Brides Do Good is an awesome movement by brides, for girls. Raising money to tackle underage marriage across the world, the team donate up to two thirds of the proceeds from each dress sale towards education projects focused on the areas most affected by child marriage. Some incredible designers – Galia Lahav, Sareh Nouri and Rosa Clara, to name a few personal faves – donate dresses, sold at a reduced price, to help Brides Do Good raise money – so you can get your dream dress, at a great price, AND raise money for at-risk girls around the world. What’s not to love?
TRENDS YOU HOPE TO SEE THIS SEASON?
Charitable gift lists – if you don’t need another toaster or vase, and you’ve sorted your honeymoon out, why not pick a charity close to your heart and let your guests share in the warm and fuzzies by making a donation in honour of your special day.
BEST PIECE OF ADVICE YOU’VE BEEN GIVEN?
Gordon – Understand that not everything is about you. Sometimes someone’s just having a bad day and you are just a conduit for the release.
Oliver – The best piece of advice I was ever given was rather indirect – I once heard Steve Jobs say ‘Everything was made up by people that were no smarter than you’. That truly freed me from my then reserved self, it enabled me to get out into the world and voice my opinion and do things my way.
Steph – Live in the moment. The past has already happened, and the future is just atoms waiting to be arranged in to whatever you make of it. ‘The rest is rust and stardust’.
