Bamford Watch Department is a British brand specialising in the customisation of luxury watches by personalising them with a recognisable style.
Led by founder George Bamford, the company has built a reputation for reinterpreting horological icons through a distinctly modern and often monochromatic lens.
Its latest collaboration, with Frederique Constant, produced a distinctive reinterpretation of the Highlife Chronograph Automatic, a model first released in 1999 and reissued in 2020, with further additions introduced in 2024.
The Frederique Constant x Bamford Highlife Chronograph Automatic breaks free from tradition to become darker and sharper, in line with Bamford’s modern and bold style.
Issued in a limited edition of 100 pieces, the watch comes in a 41 mm x 14.62 mm case in brushed and polished Grade 2 titanium, enhanced by a crystallised pattern created through heat treatment and black DLC plating.
To achieve a crystalline surface unique to each case, the titanium is heated to 1,200°C (2,200°F) and cooled slowly.
The result is a tactile, mineral-like texture that retains titanium’s strength and lightness while introducing a striking appearance.
Protected by an anti-reflective convex sapphire crystal, the dial is matte black with applied silver-coloured indexes and turquoise accents on the counters and hands.
The silver-coloured hour and minute hands are filled with white Super-LumiNova for improved readability in low-light conditions.
The 30-minute and 12-hour chronograph counters are positioned at 3 and 6 o’clock respectively, while the running seconds are at 9 o’clock.
The tip of the chronograph’s central hand stands out in turquoise blue.
Through a sapphire crystal with a smoky treatment, the screwed case back displays the FC-391 calibre (base La Joux-Perret L110), embellished with refined Côtes de Genève decoration.
Operating at a frequency of 4 Hz (28,800 vibrations per hour), this automatic chronograph movement ensures 60 hours of power reserve when fully wound.
Water-resistant up to 10 ATM (100 metres / 330 feet), the Frederique Constant x Bamford Highlife Chronograph Automatic is delivered with three straps: black rubber, turquoise rubber, and black nubuck calfskin.
Thanks to the tool-free, one-click exchange system, they can be alternated very easily.
The Frederique Constant x Bamford Highlife Chronograph Automatic, ref. FC-391BBL4NH1C, has a suggested retail price of €4,495. frederiqueconstant.com
