Ben Winstanley
Deputy Editor
Ben Winstanley is Deputy Editor at Square Mile, London's leading luxury lifestyle magazine for the City, and Editor of its sister title HEDGE, where he covers the intersection of haute horlogerie, fine dining, travel, and sporting culture.
As Square Mile's head watch writer, he stands on the front line of the latest industry news and releases, regularly attending Watches & Wonders in Geneva and interviewing some of the most influential figures in watchmaking. Over his tenure, Ben has profiled industry titans including Breitling CEO Georges Kern, Vacheron Constantin's Laurent Perves, and MB&F founder Maximilian Büsser, while taking readers inside esteemed manufactures from Jaeger-LeCoultre to Tudor. His writing spans the full spectrum of horology – from accessible gateway timepieces to seven-figure complications – always with an eye toward helping readers navigate the intricate world of mechanical watchmaking.
Beyond watches, Ben's expertise extends across the luxury landscape. He's interviewed Hollywood stars like Austin Butler and Tom Hardy, explored Michelin-starred restaurants from London to Tuscany, and profiled everyone from fashion dynasty scions to legends of Formula 1 like Lewis Hamilton. However, if you were to nail him down to a singular passion it would be his love affair with golf.
As an avid course aficionado and student of golf architecture, Ben has travelled the length and breadth of the planet in search of his next great round. Whether it be the wind-swept links of Northern Ireland or the dramatic coastline of Saint Lucia, he's experienced the lot – typically found in heated competition with his equally golf-mad wife, Sophie.
Outside of the office, you'll find Ben studying the art of cocktails and coffee making, or having the occasional flutter at the racetrack.
Ben Winstanley's articles
The CEO of Roger Dubuis on life at the cutting edge of the watch industry
Roger Dubuis may be based in Switzerland, but that’s where the watchmaker’s classic credentials begin and end – this innovative brand isn’t afraid to challenge tradition. Meet its CEO, Jean-Marc Pontroue
Published: Tuesday 7th February 2017
Meet the man helping to shape the future of sport
You may not have heard of him but Marco Auletta, CEO of Silva International Investments, is one of the most influential men in sport. He tells shares some of his unique insights
Published: Friday 13th January 2017
Fitness gear you need for 2017
It’s the new year, which means it’s time to get active in a big way. Make sure you have kit that’s fit for purpose
Published: Wednesday 4th January 2017
Jeremy Renner on The Avengers, fatherhood, and his musical ambitions
Jeremy Renner isn’t your average Hollywood film star – in fact, acting is only half his story. Ben Winstanley meets a man who finds time to write music, run a property empire, and drink the occasional cognac
Published: Tuesday 29th November 2016
The five-star shooting experience celebrating game season in style
There’s only one way to mark the height of game season – an afternoon’s shooting with Purdey and a Michelin-starred dinner at St James’s Hotel & Club in Mayfair
Published: Wednesday 16th November 2016
Andrew 'Beef' Johnston is the hero golf needs right now
The charismatic British golfer is winning fans across the sport – and beyond
Published: Friday 14th October 2016
London's coolest shops
A luxury store should be so much more than simply a place to buy stuff. Here are the British brands which are leading the way in offering a whole new dimension to retail
Published: Tuesday 11th October 2016
Patrick Grant on Savile Row's future, experimental designs and dated silhouettes
Patrick Grant is creative director of a Savile Row tailor, and fashion brand E Tautz. He talks to us about Cartier watches, Great British Sewing Bee and the future of British fashion.
Published: Wednesday 28th September 2016
How Wentworth Club is becoming London's golf destination of choice
Wentworth Golf Club and Reignwood Group are hugely investing in the estate. Chief executive Stephen Gibson explains what's next for the UK's most respected golf complex
Published: Thursday 22nd September 2016
Tom Hardy on military-grade tech, kung-fu kicking people and the Mad Max sequel
Dunkirk actor Tom Hardy talks about the Mad Max sequel, maturing as an actor and the changing directions in his career.
Published: Friday 16th September 2016
Mirazur: the Côte d’Azur restaurant transforming French cuisine
Restaurant Mirazur is not only one of the best restaurants in the Cote d'Azur but has one of the world's best views. We travel to the French Riviera to find out ourselves
Published: Friday 16th September 2016
The Lakes Distillery: English whisky is here to stay
The Lakes Distillery in Cumbria is taking on Scottish whisky, and putting English whisky on the map.
Published: Friday 12th August 2016
Jason Atherton: restaurant king with a taste for fashion
Michelin-starred chef and restauranteur Jason Atherton is one of the leading figures in London's restaurant scene but he loves fashion almost as much as food.
Published: Thursday 11th August 2016
Freddie Hunt: living in the fast lane and following in his father's footsteps
Racing driver Freddie Hunt talks about living in the fast lane, his teammate Mathias Lauda and following in his father's shadow.
Published: Wednesday 15th June 2016
Photographer Tom Oldham talks Hasselblad cameras and shooting the stars
Tom Oldham speaks to Square Mile about his iconic photography, which include portraits of John Cooper Clarke, Nick Cave, and Liam Howlett.
Published: Friday 10th June 2016
Sam Claflin on Me Before You, British acting and Emilia Clarke
Hunger Games star Sam Claflin on his new film Me Before You, a golden age for British acting and Game of Thrones Emilia Clarke in an exclusive interview with Square Mile.