Since 2009, Bamford Watch Department has been rewriting the rules of contemporary watchmaking. The creative force behind the brand, George Bamford, has built a reputation for reinterpreting horological icons through a distinctly modern and often monochromatic lens. But until now, the British designer had never turned his attention to a Frederique Constant collection.
The result is a collaborative reinterpretation of the Highlife Chronograph Automatic that blends Bamford’s signature boldness with Frederique Constant’s Swiss precision, unveiled exclusively at Dubai Watch Week. Featuring a crystal titanium case, in-yer-face contrast and ultimate readability, this irreverent and ambitious take on the Highlife Chronograph reveals a hidden side to the piece.
Breaking the Mould
Few doubted that a Bamford-designed Highlife would challenge convention. And indeed, that was what Frederique Constant’s CEO Niels Eggerding was looking for. “George and his team are recognised as being bold and free-spirited creatives. We wanted to get out of our comfort zone, and Bamford Watch Department have proved to be the perfect ally to shake us up, delivering a Highlife variant that will defy our customers’ expectations.” That was quite a challenge when it came to this pillar of Frederique Constant collections, first released in 1999 and reissued in 2020 – but Bamford Watch Department’s work is much more than a mere exercise in style.
For Bamford, this was never about cosmetic modification. As the UK designer puts it, “This isn’t a facelift. It’s a liberation. A Highlife that’s broken free from tradition to become darker, sharper, and completely reprogrammed.” The limited edition of 100 pieces amplifies every design element to its maximum expression. This is not a watch that whispers; it declares itself unapologetically.
A Swiss Made heart
While the exterior has been completely transformed, Frederique Constant retains custody of the movement. Boasting a 60-hour power reserve and decorated with a Côtes de Genève finish, the FC-391 calibre is and remains the soul of the piece. It comes from the La Joux-Perret Manufacture and is on display as ever thanks to a smoked sapphire crystal caseback. Bamford Watch Department has been given carte blanche for absolutely everything else, though – or perhaps we should say carte noire in this case.
The Power of Black
Black dominates the Bamford aesthetic, and here it defines every nuance of the design. The
watch exudes an unmistakably stealth character, where black isn’t merely a colour choice but a statement of intent.
Titanium in all its forms
The brand new 41-millimetre crystal titanium case is hard to miss. The titanium is heated to
1,200°C (2,200°F) and cooled slowly, creating a crystalline surface unique to each case. The
result is a tactile, mineral-like texture that retains titanium’s strength and lightness while
introducing a striking visual depth.
Paired with black DLC coating, the process elevates the Highlife Chronograph into new
technical and aesthetic territory. “This treatment completely rewrites the watch’s identity,” says Bamford.
Monochrome with a Pulse
The dial is a study in purity: it’s absolute matte black, with no finishings liable to spoil the effect. What’s more, the radical approach makes it even easier to read the time, with Bamford adding turquoise highlights to the counters and hands: dashes of colour mark out the progress of the small seconds hand at 9 o’clock and the chronograph readings at 3 o’clock and 6 o’clock; the tip of the chronograph’s central hand is done out in turquoise blue, too. Some collectors will undoubtedly leave the chronograph running all the time like a seconds hand – simply to enjoy the view of its captivating shade of blue sweeping around the entire dial.
Three Straps, One Spirit
Frederique Constant has pulled all the stops out for its Highlife Chronograph Automatic Bamford Special, providing no fewer than three straps per piece. It’s a way of highlighting the very special nature of this limited edition, marking the occasion by offering even more added value for the 100 customers lucky enough to acquire one.
The straps are also a reminder of the historic continuity underpinning the Highlife collection, originally designed to be multi-purpose and multifaceted. Created in 1999, the inherently ‘millennial’ watch is aimed at collectors active in multiple environments during the course of a single day. The Highlife is designed to embrace them all, from work to leisure via sports, restaurants and concert halls, thanks to the versatility of the tool-free, one-click interchangeable strap that it pioneered. The Highlife Chronograph Automatic Bamford Special comes with three such straps in black rubber, turquoise rubber and black nubuck calfskin, supplied in an exclusive presentation box designed especially for this limited edition.
A Bold Fusion of Two Worlds
The collaboration between Bamford Watch Department and Frederique Constant demonstrates how two very different horological philosophies can converge. One represents young, fine Swiss made watchmaking; the other, British irreverence and experimentation.
Together, they have created a Highlife that doesn’t just reinterpret tradition. It redefines it.
