Craig Golby: Crafting a Distinctive British Microbrand with Coastal Soul

Introduction

In the landscape of British watchmaking, few microbrands have carved out an identity as distinctive as Golby Watches. Rooted in the rugged beauty of the Cornish coastline, this husband-and-wife venture has quietly amassed a devoted following through a lineup of colorful, functional timepieces that fearlessly embrace originality. From the dual-time Aquareef to the compact Coastal and the latest Skipping Stone series, each release adheres to a consistent philosophy: deliver genuinely capable watches with abundant personality, in limited quantities, at accessible prices.

We sat down with founder Craig Golby to delve into British design, the dynamics of a family business, the importance of color, and what lies ahead for this rising brand.

A Vision from the Start

USAKING Watches: Golby Watches has always exuded a clear identity. Was that intentional from the outset?

Craig Golby: Absolutely. From day one, we had a precise vision for our inaugural timepiece and the DNA we wanted the brand to embody. Every subsequent release has stayed true to that original concept while evolving and refining.

The Family Behind the Brand

USAKING Watches: Golby is very much a family enterprise. How does collaborating with Sarah shape the watches?

Craig: It's a harmonious partnership. Sarah initially supported the original Aquareef project before becoming fully immersed in the business. I concentrate on the technical aspects, while Sarah injects color, creativity, and flair. This synergy works brilliantly, and at watch shows, people often remark on how refreshing it is to see both of us so passionate about our creations.

Cornwall's Influence on Design

USAKING Watches: Cornwall seems to permeate everything you produce. How does that translate into design?

Craig: Color, texture, and depth are paramount in every watch we craft. The Coastal collection draws from Cornwall's vibrant beach huts, while the Skipping Stone line employs natural seaside tones like Seashell, Sandy Shore, Aqua, and Sunset. Texture is equally crucial. The wave patterns on the Aquareef and Coastal mimic the sea's movement, and the Skipping Stone dial recreates the ripples left by stones skimming across water.

Even details like the skeleton hands pay homage to the Mevagissey lighthouse. Beyond aesthetics, practicality is essential—sapphire crystal, anti-reflective coating, robust stainless steel construction, quick-release straps, adjustable bracelets, and genuinely useful functions are all part of the package.

Limited Production as Philosophy

USAKING Watches: Your watches are always produced in small numbers. Has that become part of the brand's ethos?

Craig: Initially, it was a necessity for a new microbrand. As we've grown, it's become a deliberate choice. Customers truly appreciate the exclusivity of numbered production runs, and it also grants us the freedom to experiment with bolder colors and designs.

The Aquareef: A Foundation

USAKING Watches: The Aquareef remains the model most associated with Golby. Why was that the launch piece?

Craig: I had long wanted to design a diver with a countdown bezel because, for me, it's more practical. Pairing that with dual-time functionality without a fourth GMT hand created something genuinely unique at this price point. The Aquareef's success laid the groundwork for everything since.

Evolving the Aquareef 40

USAKING Watches: What lessons shaped the Aquareef 40?

Craig: Every first watch teaches you something. We upgraded the movement, enhanced the lume, redesigned the bracelet with more removable links, moved the date to six o'clock for better symmetry, slightly reduced the case size, and introduced new color combinations. Despite these improvements, we preserved the original design language.

The Surprising Coastal

USAKING Watches: The Coastal caught many off guard with its 36mm case. Why that size?

Craig: We saw a genuine gap for a proper compact diver. We've never chased trends; we simply craft watches we'd love to wear ourselves, and the Coastal is a perfect example.

Serious Specs in Small Packages

USAKING Watches: Even your smallest watches boast serious specifications.

Craig: That's fundamental. Whether worn in the office, on holiday, or diving, we want every watch to perform flawlessly. They're designed for daily wear.

The Role of Color

USAKING Watches: Color has become a Golby signature. Where does that confidence come from?

Craig: Simply because we love it. The coastline constantly inspires us, and we're unafraid to experiment. The key is that every colorway must be something we'd happily wear ourselves—that's our benchmark.

Family in Every Detail

USAKING Watches: Your caseback artwork even involves family members.

Craig: Keeping the brand personal is vital. Many ideas emerge during family holidays by the coast. My niece designed one caseback, and our eleven-year-old has created dial designs that may appear in future collections. It's something we'd never want to lose.

Value Beyond Price

USAKING Watches: Golby seems to offer specs that punch above its price point.

Craig: We hear that often. The truth is, we started this out of love for watches. Sarah and I both have full-time jobs, so profit maximization was never the goal. Instead, we'd rather build great watches that people genuinely enjoy.

Our watches feature Miyota 9 Series movements, sapphire crystal, BGW9 lume, anti-reflective coating, micro-adjust clasps, screw pins, and bespoke components throughout. Almost everything is designed specifically for us—from the case and hands to the bracelet and crown. We also include both a bracelet and an additional strap because, as collectors ourselves, we disliked having to choose.

Hands-On Approach

USAKING Watches: You still inspect and ship every watch yourself. Is that sustainable?

Craig: At the moment, yes. We launch in batches, which keeps things manageable. If the business grows beyond that, we'll involve other family members who already share our enthusiasm.

Who Wears a Golby?

USAKING Watches: Who buys a Golby watch?

Craig: There's no typical customer. Our watches are unisex and practical for everyone. We've sold to customers as young as ten and to seasoned collectors.

Listening to Feedback

USAKING Watches: Customer feedback seems to influence each release.

Craig: We genuinely value it. If feedback improves functionality—like adding screw pins or increasing bracelet adjustment—we'll absolutely take it on board. Ultimately, though, we build watches we love. That's always been the guiding principle.

Impact on Craig's Own Collection

USAKING Watches: Has building Golby changed your personal watch collection?

Craig: Definitely. Not because my tastes changed, but because I now buy more microbrands. The creativity, value, and willingness to push boundaries in this space are fantastic.

What's Next for Golby

USAKING Watches: Looking ahead, where does the brand go?

Craig: The immediate focus is the Skipping Stone collection, which introduces a new compressor-style case with fresh textures and colors. Beyond that, several projects are underway. Some build naturally on what we've created, while one will truly break the mold while remaining unmistakably Golby. There's no rigid roadmap; we design when inspiration strikes, but whatever comes next will carry the same Golby DNA.

Beyond Dive and Tool Watches?

USAKING Watches: Could you ever leave dive and tool watches behind?

Craig: Watch this space.

Five-Year Vision

USAKING Watches: Finally, how would you like Golby Watches to be viewed in five years?

Craig: Exactly as we are today—a brand producing creative, practical watches that offer outstanding value and stand apart from the crowd.

Conclusion

Speaking with Craig, it's clear that Golby Watches isn't built on chasing trends or squeezing margins. Every decision circles back to crafting timepieces that Craig and Sarah genuinely want to wear. That authenticity shines through in the products—from the colorful Cornish inspiration to the impressive specifications and the commitment to deliberately limited production.

With the Skipping Stone collection already generating buzz and more ambitious projects in the pipeline, this feels like just the beginning of the Golby story. If the past few years are any indication, it's wise to keep a close eye on what comes next.