Bamford, TAG Heuer and Highsnobiety combine to pay tribute to an automotive icon
Borna BošnjakIt’s the tail-end of the 1980s, and you and your stockbroker buddies are ripping down the Autobahn in the two fastest cars in the world – the Ferrari F40 and Porsche 959. Suddenly, you notice a flash of yellow in your rear-view mirror, which disappears in front of you as quickly as it appeared behind.
The RUF Yellowbird is a legendary car that put Alois Ruf’s RUF Automobile on the map for their ability to create supercars incorporating Porsche bodies and engines. Looking to honour this world-beating car and manufacturer, Highsnobiety has created an entire capsule collection with RUF’s signature colours. But the headline offering is a collaboration with Bamford Watch Department that’s resulted in a limited-edition TAG Heuer Carrera.
The watch
The base for this collab is the instantly recognisable dual-register, pump-pusher design of the 42mm Carrera. Concentric brushing for the sub-dials combines with the bright yellow chrono hands and RUF logo at 6 o’clock to bring plentiful visual interest to the dial, the trio’s effect pared back by the deep green tone of the dial. Always ones to pay attention to details, Bamford and Highsnobiety painted the chronograph seconds hand with racing stripes, generally known to add at least 50 horsepower when added to any car.
The case is a classic Carrera 42mm affair, with sharply pointed lugs and unguarded crown and pushers, complete with a display back giving us a look at the Heuer 02 calibre inside. The automatic column wheel chronograph offers an 80-hour power reserve, though it’s mostly obscured by the branding trifecta of RUF, Highsnobiety and Bamford. The watch is accompanied by a pair of customised straps, a green leather with yellow stitching alongside a green NATO in the same colourway.
The collector’s box incorporates more shades of RUF green, constructed of frosted acrylic, with an orange RUF logo suspended in the lid.
The collection
As a frontrunner in the streetwear arena, Highsnobiety is releasing an entire capsule collection that takes inspiration from workwear and other casual silhouettes, all of which can be found here, along with a campaign showcasing the collection, modelled by members of the RUF team.
RUF x Bamford x Highsnobiety TAG Heuer Carrera pricing and availability:
The RUF x Bamford x Highsnobiety TAG Heuer Carrera is available now from Highsnobiety. Price: U$8,995
| Brand | TAG Heuer |
| Model | Carrera |
| Case Dimensions | 42mm x 14.48mm |
| Case Material | Stainless steel |
| Water Resistance | 100 metres |
| Crystal(s) | Sapphire crystal front and back |
| Dial | Green dial with yellow RUF branding |
| Strap | Green leather strap and green NATO strap |
| Movement | Calibre Heuer 02, 80-hour power reserve |
| Availability | Available now |
| Price | U$8,995 |