Britain doesn’t always get the best press. Binge drinkers and football hooligans see to that, and then the actions of unethical newspapers finish it off. But there’s one area of British endeavour, which despite everything, is doing better than ever before.

British luxury goods.

Foreigners just can’t get enough of them, be it the traditional markets of the States, or the newly emerging markets of China and India, or the super prosperous South East Asian shopping malls. Even in markets where there has never been so much as a scrap of British influence, there is a scrap to buy British luxury goods. The usual suspects have been perennial best sellers such as Burberry, Mulberry and even the ones you don’t normally lump under luxury goods – Johnnie Walker.

But now there is a new generation of clever and exciting new brands which have clearly understood that shifting consumer attitudes and behaviour mean purchasing decisions are increasingly driven by growing sophistication and knowledge.

New luxury brands have also realised they need to be a little quirky as well as cool, so many of the new generation luxury brands display a British eccentricity in addition to old school British quality which still remains highly desirable.

Here are three British luxury brands that are setting exactly the right tone. You will quickly surmise that only one of these luxury brands is connected to watches, but the fact is, those who love watches also tend to love all kinds of other luxury accessories.

Mr. Hare

Mr. Hare is a luxury shoe brand with a pair of size 14s practically kicking you in the face in terms of style and charisma. Born of one man’s rightful contempt for men’s mass market shoes, which, no doubt about it, is a really dull and unimaginative affair. Marc Hare has basically created all the shoe fantasies he ever had growing up and turned them into living, breathing leathery creations of immense magnetism.

Otis Batterbee

Just the name is cool enough, but then his collection of desirable luxury accessories look, and probably feel achingly necessary. Otis Batterbee, who comes from a strong design background, proves that some of the best luxury goods can still be lovingly made in Great Britain. He launched his own brand in 2008 and the range includes smart wash bags and grooming accessories, fine pocket squares and fabric covered cufflinks and more besides.

Bremont Watches

Bremont Watch Company launched its collection in July 2007, offering a range of highly-developed timepieces of exceptional quality. The brand was founded by brothers Nick and Giles English and together they have built a brand that looks and reads just like something out a Boys Own adventure comic, with an emphasis on aviation, excitement and danger. Bremont Watches are also made with old school British over engineering – the stainless steel case of each Bremont is made to an exceptional hardness of 2000 Vickers, meaning it is nine times as durable as an average steel watch case. The anti-reflective, convex sapphire crystal is equally hard and, during the arduous chronometer certification process carried out by COSC, each Bremont watch returned an accuracy level of 99.998%.

Great design, and remarkable accuracy; when it comes to luxury goods, as the old 60s slogan would have it, ‘I’m backing Britain.’