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29
May 2023
The Dishforth man who launched a Yorkshire watch company in lockdown
When Dishforth resident Simon Hebb met Chris Holder on their regular train commute from North Yorkshire to London, they discovered a shared passion for watches.
Then in 2020, during lockdown, the two made a decision to launch their own watch company in Yorkshire and The Winton Watch Company was born.
Simon Hebb told the Stray Ferret:
Chris Holder and Simon Hebb, founders of The Winton Watch Company
Winton watches began retailing in March 2021. It took time to get the first batch made.
The company currently has four models with a fifth titanium watch due to be launched later this year. The watches are all named after unsung British pioneers including Alexander Winton – a British engineer who was an early car maker in the US.
The watches are automatic, designed in Yarm and hand assembled in Switzerland using off the shelf Swiss watch parts.
Mr Hebb says he wants the watches to be worn and enjoyed – not locked away as an investment. The current models range from £585.00 to £850.00.
Mr Hebb said:
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The two men are currently focusing on building the Winton brand and selling the watches online.
The one retail outlet where they can be seen is in in Harrogate at the Jewellery Exchange in the Victoria Centre. Mr Hebb said they wanted a physical presence "where people can look and feel them.”
John Kirkland who runs the Jewellery Exchange said:
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