Over the last few months, you may have noticed that some things at Watts & Co. have changed — our clerical wear range, our logo, even our showroom. This week, the final puzzle piece came into place: our brand new website!
Since acquiring J. Wippell & Co. last year, the team at Watts has been working hard to hone in on what we do best — namely, handcrafted vestments. While this has always been at the heart of what we do here, it hasn’t always been suitably showcased online, so we decided to reshape our website to devote more space to our bespoke offering.
The vestments themselves have not changed, nor have our materials or designs been altered, but we’re thrilled that they are now presented with a little more flair and splendour — as they deserve.
It was of the utmost importance for us to maintain who we are through this rebrand, the Watts that our clients recognise and trust. Of course, in our 150 year history, Watts has inevitably changed. If our vestments return for repairs after decades of use, the label will show a completely different logo; the old brochures in our archive are of another world; and our showroom itself has moved across London a few times. Throughout it all, though, one thing never changed: our commitment to traditional craftsmanship. The vestments themselves remain our bedrock, following the same patterns we’ve used for over a century, and in silk damasks that still use the original hand-drawn designs of our founders.
Indeed, we are still run by a descendent of Sir George Gilbert Scott, just as we were in 1874; our fabrics are still woven in England to their original designs; our vestments are still cut and hand-stitched here in London to the same shapes. These skills and designs are themselves centuries old, made available in the 21st century thanks to three Gothic Revival architects with an uncompromising eye for beauty.
In a time when technology is accelerating so rapidly — when all anyone can talk about is AI, for good or ill — preserving traditional craft is not a privilege but an imperative for us here at Watts. The skill and expertise of our craftspeople is inherently human and absolutely deserves attention. Our new website gives more space to showcase the hands that shape Watts, so that churches worldwide might better trust in our craft and recognise the invaluable work of our Tufton Street family.
So, take time to explore our new website and delve into the story of our craft from 1874 to today. Should you have any questions, a colleague is on hand to assist over the phone or email — and you are always welcome to visit our showroom where you’ll see diligent hand-sewing at work.
Because, at Watts it is our story that defines who we are today; it is the people that have shaped our history, and the incredible craftspeople in our workroom preserving traditional skills. After 150 years, this story is more important to us than ever, and we hope that our new website will let this story shine out a little bit brighter.
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