Mr Jones Watches has joined forces with the mischief makers at the BEANO to create a limited-edition watch to celebrate 75 years of Dennis the Menace – and the launch is being celebrated next week, with a special appearance from artist Nigel Parkinson in London.
Be warned though, this celebratory timepiece is more likely to be for adults than the target audience of the comic themselves – unless they’ve come up with a wizard wheeze to blag one, taking inspiration from Dennis’s friend Roger the Dodger!
The watch, on sale from today, looks like it’s leapt straight out of a page from the weekly comic, where Dennis and Gnasher are tumbling through the air and handily showing the time.
A banana skin has sent our mischief-makers flying and as they circle the watch face, they point out the time: Dennis points to the minutes while Gnasher, straining to catch a sausage, points to the hours.
Crispin Jones, director and founder of Mr Jones Watches, said: “BEANO is a true British institution, loved by generations of kids, myself included. As a British brand, we were thrilled and inspired to create a watch to celebrate this milestone for Dennis.
“It’s been a real joy to work with BEANO and bring this watch to life. As we do all the printing and assembly of our watches right here in London, we were able to explore many different options for the design and get to the point where we’ve created something really outstanding that captures the spirit of Dennis (and Gnasher!)”
Rob Glenny, Executive Director Kids Community Growth at BEANO, said: “2026 is Beano’s Year of Mischief, when we celebrate Dennis the Menace turning 10 for the 75th time – and the creative mischief he represents: the humour, creativity and imagination that fuel childhood at its very best. We’re delighted to partner with the brilliant artists at Mr Jones Watches to create something that captures that same playful spirit and reminds grown-ups everywhere that no matter how much time passes, being a kid never gets old.”
Mr Jones Watches was established in 2007 and has grown to become the largest manufacturer of watches in the UK. More than simply being made in the UK, Mr Jones Watches are a celebration of the playful and creative, rather than the purely functional watches of the past.
Now the British watch brand boasts workshops in London and a flagship store in Covent Garden.
Alistair Audsley, founding CEO of trade body, the British Watchmakers’ Alliance, said: “I can’t think of a better showcase of British creativity and sheer fun than Mr Jones Watches and BEANO.
“Spending time at Mr Jones Watches also makes you realise just how much hand craft goes into their incredible creations. For the lucky owners, I hope these watches are a daily reminder of BEANO’s motto, ‘Growing up can wait!’”
The watch launched today, Friday 29th May, and is limited to 750 pieces priced at £225 (€285 / $295)
Mr Jones Watches will also host a birthday party for Dennis in their Covent Garden store next week, on Saturday 6th June, and everyone is invited. BEANO arrtist Nigel Parkinson will also be in attendance, drawing visitors in his classic comic book style. Nigel will be in store from 2.00 until 5.00pm.
• The Beano Dennis the Menace 75th Annivesary Watch is available exclusively from Mr Jones Watches here and is limited to 750 pieces. To find out more, visit mrjoneswatches.com
• Mr Jones Watches flagship store is at 53a Neal Street, Seven Dials, London WC2H 9PJ
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John is the founder of downthetubes, launched in 1998. He is a comics and magazine editor, writer, and Press Officer for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He also runs Crucible Comic Press.
Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine and Overkill for Marvel UK, Babylon 5 Magazine, Star Trek Magazine, and its successor, Star Trek Explorer, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics; and has edited several comic collections and graphic novels, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”, and Hancock: The Lad Himself, by Stephen Walsh and Keith Page.
He’s the writer of comics such as Pilgrim: Secrets and Lies for B7 Comics; “Crucible”, a creator-owned project with 2000AD artist Smuzz; and “Death Duty” and “Skow Dogs”, with Dave Hailwood.
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