Alfred Dunhill Bobby Finder SP25 Limited Edition Chronograph

In 1893, Alfred Dunhill transformed his father’s saddlery into a luxury empire with the needs of sporting gentlemen at its heart. But rather than horses and carriages, it was automobiles—and their drivers—that Dunhill was outfitting. Horns and clocks for the cars (particularly for Rolls-Royce), and overcoats, goggles, and watches for the drivers—“Dunhill’s Motorities” sold it all, from two boutiques in Mayfair (one for men, the other for ladies) or from Dunhill’s catalog.

Over 1300 items were listed in the catalog, giving rise to the tagline: “Everything for the car but the motor.”

In 1903, after receiving a ticket from an enterprising officer of London’s Metropolitan Police, Dunhill developed driving goggles that concealed binoculars. These he dubbed “Bobby Finders” and sold in his catalog (bobby of course being the nickname Londoners gave to members of the Metropolitan Police, after its founder, Sir Robert Peel). Advertisements touted their ability to “spot a policeman at half a mile even if [he’s] disguised as a respectable man.”

Dunhill’s empire expanded along with the British Empire, seeing outposts (referred to by the company as “homes”) springing up in all corners of the globe.

Their range of products grew to encompass a full line of men’s ready-to-wear clothing, though never straying far from the core products that Alfred Dunhill offered in his catalog in the 1890s—watches among them.

But by the dawn of this century, sales of Dunhill’s watch collection flagged a bit.

Enter designer and watch dealer Tom Bolt, alias Watch Guru.

Bolt is a man after our own hearts. A lifelong watch collector and enthusiast, Bolt combines his love of vintage watches with a love for vintage motorcycles. His daily driver is a Triumph Daytona which he rides to his work in central London from his home in the suburbs—50 miles each way, twice a day.

In 2005, Dunhill’s then-CEO, Simon Critchell, had initially contacted Bolt to consider whether it would be possible to sell vintage watches alongside Dunhill’s own watches. But Bolt, scanning the watches on offer, didn’t like what he saw—and told Critchell as much. Unperturbed, Critchell invited Bolt to look through the brand’s archives and create something that would revitalize the faltering watch line.

And so Bolt did, taking inspiration not just from watches, but from cars and motorcycles as well.

This watch, the Bobby Finder, of course takes inspiration from the goggles that Alfred Dunhill created, but with a twist that’s all Bolt.

This Bobby Finder, a SP25, is part of a limited run of only 500 pieces.

In NOS condition, practically unworn, the watch is as interesting as it is rare. The black dial shows subsidiary seconds and a 31-day calendar, an unusual feature in and of itself. Along with box and instruction booklet, the watch (which has an animated Bobby on the back of the case) comes with two bezels—one engine-turned with SuperLuminova hour indices, the other polished with Arabic markers—as well as a bezel-changing tool.

For lovers of cars, watches, and bespoke British tailoring, this watch ticks all the marks. As classic car guys ourselves, we love how the watch is automotive-inspired without being too obvious. We can clearly see it strapped to the wrist of a nattily-dressed man about town, cruising in a vintage Aston Martin—but beware Bobbies when you hit the road!

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Analog:Shift stands behind the authenticity of our products in perpetuity.

Condition

Since our pieces are vintage or pre-owned, please expect wear & patina from usage and age. Please read each item description and examine all product images.

Warranty

We back each Analog:Shift vintage timepiece with a one-year mechanical warranty from the date of purchase.

International Buyers

Please contact us prior to purchase for additional details on shipping and payment options.

All of our watches include complementary insured shipping within the 50 states.

Most of our products are on hand and will ship directly from our headquarters in New York City. In some cases, watches will be shipped directly from one of our authorized partners.

We generally ship our products via FedEx, fully insured, within 5 business days of purchase. An adult signature is required for receipt of all packages for insurance purposes. Expedited shipping is available at an additional cost. We are also happy to hand deliver your purchase in Manhattan or you may pick it up at our showroom.

Returns must be sent overnight or by priority international delivery, fully insured and paid for by the customer. A restocking fee may apply. Watches must be returned in the same condition as initially shipped.

We welcome international buyers, please contact us prior to purchase for additional details on shipping and payment options.