Benjamin James - Scarifour
Dripping with true ‘80s flair, the Scarifour from Benjamin James is throwing its hat into the ring with some of the bigger names, and it’s doing so at a seriously approachable price point. So, what’s the story behind this sporty-dress hybrid? Let’s dive in.
Founder Benjamin Adams has clearly poured a fair bit of heart, soul, and late-night coffee into this debut release. Riding the early waves of success, he’s proving that you don’t need a decades-old brand name to make a splash.
Launched in 2023, Benjamin James is all about bringing the Scarifour to wrists far and wide. Ben’s no rookie either, with years of watch design experience under his belt, starting his own brand felt like a natural next step.
Named after his childhood home, the Scarifour is all about balance: proportions, wrist presence, and dial symmetry are all dialled in. And while I’ll admit I don’t usually go for dressier pieces (maybe I just haven’t hit peak sophistication yet), I can see why this one’s getting attention. For those who love their elegance with a side of sportiness, this might just be your next daily wear.
With prices starting at just £474 for the quartz model, it’s not hard to see why the Scarifour is proving so popular. Even the Swiss hand wound version tops out at a very reasonable £810, making both options feel like excellent value for money.
The dial on this Royal Purple variant is a bit of a hidden gem. Look closer and you’ll spot an embossed chevron motif, a subtle nod to the coat of arms from Ben’s hometown of Cheltenham. It’s a clever bit of local pride worked into the design. The fumé finish creates a soft gradient that plays nicely against the crisp, minimalist layout. Most hours are marked with slender, baton-style indices, brushed on top, polished on the sides, while the 12 o’clock slot stands apart with a refined Roman numeral, adding just the right touch of formality to the mix.
There’s a quiet sophistication to the Scarifour’s hands, slim, deliberate, and in perfect harmony with the case’s angular silhouette. Up close, their construction reveals a surprising level of detail. The central channel is finely brushed, inset with slender lines of Swiss BGW9 lume to keep things legible after hours. On either side, polished bevels bring a subtle glint with every flick of the wrist. Tapering down to a fine tip, they slice across the dial with sharp intent, functional, refined, and far more intricate than first impressions suggest.
Wether you opt for the Swiss Made Ronda 762E (with a 10 year battery life), or the Swiss Made Sellita SW210-1 b Hand Wound, both offer amazing relaiblity.
Compact without feeling dainty, the Scarifour’s proportions strike a confident chord. The core case comes in at a trim 31mm across, with the full span, including those sharply curved, fixed end links, stretching out closer to 47mm. That said, thanks to the steep downturn of the links, it wears more like a 44mm lug-to-lug, sitting snugly on the wrist without overreaching. But the real standout here? The height. Or rather, the lack of it. At just 8.3mm thick, it’s slim enough to slip under any cuff and slick enough to feel like it belongs on a far pricier timepiece.
The interplay of brushed and polished finishing across the case and bracelet feels thoughtfully executed, nothing flashy, just clean and cohesive. The bracelet starts at a solid 22mm at the case and tapers elegantly down to 18mm at the hidden butterfly clasp, adding to the overall sleekness. Honestly, I keep having to remind myself how little this thing costs, it wears and looks far above its price tag.
It’s hard not to draw a line from the Scarifour to something like a Cartier, sure, they exist in different realms, but the design cues are undeniably adjacent. That said, when it comes to value, the Scarifour makes a compelling case of its own. It’s not trying to be a high-society imposter, it’s carving out its own lane, and at this price point, it’s an absolute no-brainer.
Finding a colour you like shouldn’t be a challenge either, a quick scan of the website shows eight dial options in total. We were sent the Royal Purple to spend some time with, and honestly? That dial is seriously sharp. It catches the light beautifully and gives the whole piece a distinctive, refined edge.
I’ll be honest, dress watches have never really been my thing, and I doubt one will ever find its way into my personal rotation. That said, I absolutely get the appeal. And at prices this low, it’s no wonder they’re flying off the shelves.
If I had to nitpick, legibility’s probably my main gripe, though that could just be my eyesight talking, and the fact I’m more used to dinner-plate-sized dials. Still, for those with a bit more finesse (and a bit less reliance on squinting), the Scarifour is well worth a look. If this style is up your alley, Benjamin James is definitely worth shouting about.