The Lambeth Reach watch designed, modelled, and rendered for Pinchbeck Watches by Jason Garth Edwards.

The Lambeth Reach Watch – A Very Special Watch Designed for the Oldest Boat Race in the World!

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Written by jayargonaut

Some years ago I was asked to design a small series of watches to celebrate what is considered the oldest boat race in the world: The Race for Doggett’s Coat and Badge. Doggett’s race is a sculling race held on the River Thames every year, and has done so since 1715! Yes, would you believe this boat race has been held annually on the river Thames for over 300 years and running, and continues to this day!

This historic event, steeped in tradition, is a rowing race that takes place annually on the River Thames in London. The Race for Doggett’s Coat and Badge was first held in 1715, provided for in the will of the actor-manager Thomas Doggett, who stipulated that it should be held annually ‘forever’. A single-scull rowing event, it’s now organised by the Fishmongers’ Company and the Company of Watermen and Lightermen, and entered by apprentices of the Watermen company. One of the originating stories of the race is that Thomas Doggett fell into the River Thames one night on his way home from the theatre and was rescued by a Waterman of the river. He was so thankful and enthusiastic about the help of this Waterman, that he started and managed this race himself every year until his death in 1721. The race then continued as stipulated in his will by other management.

The Race for Doggett’s Coat & Badge serves not only as a competition but also as a celebration of the skill and endurance of young watermen. The race commemorates the memory of Thomas Doggett, a well-known actor and playwright, who bequeathed a coat and badge to the winner, with the aim of promoting the trade of watermen on the river. Over the years, it has evolved into a prestigious event that attracts participants from all corners of the globe, showcasing both athletic prowess and a rich maritime heritage. The race emphasizes not just the thrill of competition but also the importance of camaraderie and the sharing of stories among those who navigate the historic waters of the Thames.

I was awarded the opportunity to design a series of watches celebrating this race, and more importantly, the watch: The Lambeth Reach Watch, that the winner would subsequently receive for winning the race every year, as well as the Red Coat & Badge that have always been awarded since the race began.

I had designed this watch some years ago, but was recently asked to re-model and render some fresh images of the watch for promotion. This opportunity motivated me to reflect on the creative process behind the original design and the evolution it has undergone since then. So I thought I would write a brief post about the race to bring this timepiece to life and showcase the images. Throughout this journey, I had full control of the design, allowing me to interpret it how I wished – classic understated style combined with the symbology of the race were the order of the day, I thought.

As you can see, the dial was designed to be very classical and quite minimalist, incorporating relevant symbology on the outer rim of the dial. At the top of the watch dial is the Horse of the House of Hanover, which was incorporated on the Silver Badge – in honour of the accession of George I to the throne. To the right-hand side at the 3 o’clock position of the dial are the Oars of the Company of Watermen & Lightermen. And on the left of the dial, at the 9 o’clock position, are the two fish representing the Worshipful Company of Fishmongers, who manage the race today.

All the images of the Lambeth Reach watch you see here were designed by me and rendered using Blender 4.2 creative suite. I used Adobe Photoshop for some post-processing of the images, mainly to balance some of the colors and lighting. The backgrounds for the lifestyle images were created using high-resolution HDRI images, and all materials for the watch are procedural materials created by me in Blender 4.2.

The Race for Doggett’s Coat & Badge is a very unique and rich piece of English history that continues to this day – as Thomas Doggett stated in his will; this race should continue forever! A somewhat uniquely quirky, maybe even eccentric English statement, but one that should be honored nonetheless, as long as possible.

Please feel free to read more about this race at your leisure, I feel that for something that has continued for over 300 years should be a little more famous! And if you ever find yourself in the great City of London at the time of the race, you should certainly go and spectate, it is a fantastic event to attend and witness.

Well that is it for this post good people. I hope you like the watch design, and enjoyed the post😊.

Until next time, have a wonderful day and evening!

Kind regards, Jay

Jayargonaut

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43 Comments

    1. Thank you Ajinkya👍. I am glad you like it. Yes, the symbols are a big thing in the City of London, especially with the Livery Companies. It signifies their their social status, heritage, and corporate identity.

      You are right, this is wonderful history. Kind regards…Jay😊

      Liked by 3 people

      Reply

    1. Thank you Graham, I am glad you enjoyed the post😊. Wouldn’t that be wonderful! I am not sure they will interrupt 300 years of naming history for the watch, but I can hope! Thank you my friend and kind regards…Jay

      Liked by 2 people

      Reply

        1. Ah, auto-correction no doubt! Yes that can be annoying, although ‘know’ read okay…watches are such personal items, some owners would say they ‘know’ their watches. Yes, phones have become too invasive Christopher haven’t they, and we a little too dependent on them maybe. In fact, my Son & I are thinking of going back to the old style ‘simple phone’, one that just calls & text…nothing more. Best…Jay😊

          Liked by 2 people

          Reply

          1. Yes, in a way that typo was more fitting. Good point! As regards “old” phones without internet … believe me I am tempted from time to time! Thanks for an awesome blog about a subject I know little about but which is really fascinating. This is why the internet still rocks lol! Best, Chris

            Liked by 2 people

          2. I think it is because phones are so mobile that people are now permanently connected, and hence we are going through a period of massive learned helplessness because of it, which cannot be a good thing long term I suspect.

            Thank you Christopher for that wonderful compliment, I am glad you enjoyed the blog post. Yes, I cannot argue there that the internet is a fantastic thing in many ways; just best kept under our control maybe.

            Thanks again, and have a great day my friend! Kind regards…Jay😊

            Liked by 2 people

  13. Oh wow!

    You are amazing. What an honour. Congratulations!

    I love the history, and your watch (therefore you are a part of the history).

    Thank you for sharing this, Jay!

    Oh… the watch is stunning. ❦❦❦

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

    1. Thanks Andy👍. I am glad you like it and enjoyed the post! The Doggett’s race story is certainly one to be kept alive. I am currently working on another old Sindaco Automatic watch re-style for re-launch in the near future, I think you might like it. I will bring you a post and some images when they are ready. Best…Jay

      Liked by 2 people

      Reply

  16. The story is so English! I love how they commemorate occasions that are special and memorable with such ongoing projects as this race. Your watch design incorporates the history and timelessness (I guess that’s a watch pun) of the race and the intent of Thomas Doggett to create a lasting memory that may lose some mystique over time but won’t lose the importance of what the race is about.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

    1. Thank you Dayle! Yes you are right, it is very typically & eccentrically English isn’t it, which is part of the attraction I guess. The type of pageantry surrounding the race is quite typical in the City of London, I think it all helps keep traditions alive and history intact. Some may see it is as irrelevant, but good or bad our history and traditions are important I think. Thank you for your lovely comments on the watch Dayle, I sincerely appreciate it. Kind regards…Jay😊.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

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