Modern tool watches, while still in possession of the rugged qualities that defined their forebears, seldom shy from adopting more stylish guises. And while the concept may seem outlandish to some, history typically favours the bold. With TAG Heuer’s latest Aquaracer collaboration with personalisation house Bamford Watch Department, it would appear that we are once again bearing witness to a textbook example of “who dares, wins”.
The new TAG Heuer Aquaracer Bamford Limited Edition has UK-based Bamford Watch Department taking bold steps in reinterpreting the Swiss brand’s stalwart tool watch format. And while this certainly isn’t the first collaboration between the two brands, it is the last piece of the puzzle in the TAG Heuer x Bamford Watch Department superfecta.
Sleek meets bold
Eschewing the traditional steel case, the TAG Heuer Aquaracer Bamford Limited Edition features a sand-blasted titanium case with matching bracelet. The advantages of this choice are clear: titanium possesses a lower density than that of steel, yet retains a comparable tensile strength. Factoring in its inherent resistance to corrosion, the use of titanium in a watch’s case work and bracelet allows for an unimpeded realisation of both comfort and durability.
Moving inwards reveals more examples of Bamford Watch Department’s decidedly urban treatment of this self-winding timepiece. The TAG Heuer Aquaracer Bamford Limited Edition’s legibility is beyond reproach, thanks to the contrasting elements of black, white and orange on the dial, handset, bezel pip and chapter ring. A sector dial – a first for the Aquaracer – also makes an appearance here, improving visual orientation for easier reading. Likewise, low-light situations are easily withstood, thanks to the white Super-Luminova-coated indices and hands.
Other features of this limited-edition timepiece include a 300-metre water resistance rating, a uni-directional rotating bezel with 60-minute scale and a date aperture at 3 o’clock with “cyclops” magnification. As with most custom-designed pieces, the TAG Heuer Aquaracer Bamford Limited Edition will see a strict release of 1,500 examples worldwide. This, in turn, is reflected via the engraved case back, reading “Limited One of 1,500”.
2020 has been a year of success for TAG Heuer’s creative collaborations, as evidenced by the recent TAG Heuer x Fragment Design Calibre Heuer 02 Chronograph. Through this latest pairing with Bamford Watch Department, TAG Heuer looks poised to end the year on a strong note.