Fernando Cervantes’ Fears Redcliff Onyx for Collective Horology entered his collection after a last-minute change of plans. What began as a drive to buy an Omega Railmaster became a decision to pursue a rarer, more personal watch tied to the enthusiast community and to a brand he had been quietly admiring.
A collector drawn to quieter brands
Cervantes, recently promoted from Senior Software Engineer to Engineering Manager, traces part of his interest in watches back to his father. His father worked for many years as a regional bank manager and received watches as gifts from the bank and colleagues, including pieces from Must de Cartier, Rolex, and Raymond Weil. The one he ultimately kept was a Raymond Weil Tango.
That early exposure did not make watches a family obsession, but it kept them in Cervantes’ mind. Once he had disposable income, collecting followed.
His taste now leans toward independent and understated watchmakers. He appreciates the craft and history of larger brands, but he is more interested in wearing something less expected.
Fears made an impression before the Redcliff did
Cervantes first encountered Fears at a Windup Watch Fair in Chicago around 2024. The Brunswick initially caught his attention, but the 1930 Archival left the strongest impression. For him, it represented the brand’s balance of refinement, restraint, and contemporary design.
That experience put Fears on his long-term list. He knew he wanted to own one at some point, even if the specific model had not yet been decided.
The watch that interrupted an Omega purchase
Late last year, Cervantes had about $2,500 available after selling several watches from his collection. While looking for the best opportunity, he noticed a Fears Redcliff Onyx for Collective Horology listed in the marketplace channel of the Worn & Wound+ Slack community.
The watch stood out because Fears pieces do not often appear for sale within that community, and the asking price was appealing. Still, another watch had his attention: an Omega Railmaster. Cervantes had owned a Railmaster before, regretted selling it, and was excited about the chance to get one again.
He set out from Denver toward Greeley, a drive of roughly an hour and 20 minutes, to meet the Railmaster seller. During the trip, the Fears remained on his mind. He stopped briefly to search for podcast episodes about the brand and found Nicholas Bowman-Scargill’s appearance on The Worn & Wound Podcast.
As he listened, the decision began to change. Bowman-Scargill’s explanation of Fears’ approach resonated with him: instead of focusing on making everything in-house, the brand seeks out top suppliers for individual components and relies on the team’s curation and finishing choices.
About 40 minutes into the drive, Cervantes pulled into a gas station, contacted the Railmaster seller with an excuse, messaged the Fears seller on Slack, and turned around. The Redcliff Onyx became the watch he chose.
Why it works in his collection
The Redcliff Onyx has become Cervantes’ most versatile watch. Its black dial, no-date layout, and strong specifications make it useful across a wide range of situations.
On its black Barenia leather strap, which he notes he has not actually worn, it can read as a dress watch. On the bracelet, it becomes more of a sport watch. An orange sailcloth strap pushes it further in that direction.
The most surprising pairing has become his favorite: a Delugs textile stretch strap with a hook buckle. On that strap, the watch takes on a more rugged character.
The details that make this Redcliff unusual
Several details make the Fears Redcliff Onyx for Collective Horology particularly distinctive:
- It was limited to 20 pieces.
- It was Fears’ first stone dial watch.
- Nicholas Bowman-Scargill personally checked each onyx dial for clarity and luster.
- The onyx dial required a slightly thicker case, measuring 10.85mm rather than 9.95mm.
- The revised case has its own special reference.
For Cervantes, those details matter, but they are not the whole story. The watch also came from a fellow collector whose taste he respects and whose collection includes pieces he has long admired. That connection gives the watch an added personal significance beyond its rarity.