Bamford takes a step out of their comfort zone with a cracking monopusher chronograph    

Ricardo Sime

Walk into a room of watch enthusiasts and mention Bamford London. The first thing that comes to the mind of pretty much anyone you talk to is the brand’s amazing GMTs, flavoured in a broad array of colours. While being synonymous with a specific collection in your catalogue isn’t necessarily a bad thing, most brands worth their salt will eventually strive to do something different. Interesting. Darn right bold. Well, let’s just say Bamford has taken the assignment and are demanding extra credit with their newest pieces, a pair of automatic monopusher chronographs under the new Bamford B347 range. Let’s take a closer look at this latest offering.

The Case

The new Bamford B347 range comes within a black forged carbon fibre case. We’ve seen this material used on a few watches before but here, the more svelte sizing of only 41.5mm is definitely appreciated. This is quite a feat, especially for a chronograph.

The case comes in at a thickness of 14.5mm and a water resistance rating of 100 metres, both reasonable measurements for a chrono. Moving on to the rear, you’ll find the caseback is black-coated steel, which completes the blacked out look. I love this decision because a silver or gray material here would have taken away from the overall design.

Finally, seeing as this is a monopusher chronograph, you’ll find the only pusher located at 2 o’clock. On the pusher, you will find B347 debossed into the material. The crown, located at 3 o’clock, has also been debossed with the Bambford “B”.

The Dial(s)

The Bamford B347 range comes with two distinct dials, located behind a sapphire crystal. One makes use of the signature aqua blue colourway we have grown use to on the GMT, while the other takes its cue from the classic black and white reverse panda.

On both watches, you’ll find the rehaut contains the chronograph tachymeter scale. The lume filled, applied indexes are framed in stainless steel, bearing the same bar design as the hour and minute hands. A running seconds sub-dial can be found at 9 o’clock while the 30 minute chronograph counter can be found at 3 o’clock. At 6, perfectly framed by either the aqua blue or white, you’ll find the date.

Bamford kept the dials here as decluttered as possible, with Swiss Made written out below the date and Bamford Automatic Chronograph written below the 12 hour marker. Though simple, the overall dial design has been executed perfectly, with a well balanced layout.

The Movement

Inside both watches, we have a Sellita SW510 MPa movement ticking away at 28,800 bph. Though based on the older valjoux 7750 movements, the SW510 MPa, in all it’s monopusher glory, was first introduced by Sellita in 2018.

Starting, stopping and resetting the chronograph functions of the watch can all be done with engaging the pusher at 2 o’clock. One push starts the chronograph. Another, in succession, stops the chronograph. One more, and the chronograph resets.

The date function here is quick set so there is no need to roll the time forward in order to change it. (Reminder: never quick set the date on your watch between 9:00 pm and 3:00 am). The running seconds hacks (stops) when the crown is pulled out to the final position. Finally, the movement is cam operated and provides 62 hours of power reserve.

The Strap

The watches have a 22mm lug width and will both come on a black rubber strap. Moreover, there will be four additional colours available for purchase; red, khaki, blue and yellow. I have to say, the thought of the aqua on a yellow rubber strap does sound quite appealing.

Leather, canvas and cordura straps, in multiple colours, will also be made available. And all the straps mentioned will have quick release spring bars, which should make strap changes a breeze.

The Verdict

The Bamford B347 range is quite unexpected. Releasing a monopusher chronograph is a move I could have never imagined from such a young brand (2017). Yet, in its audacity, I can’t help but bestow respect because the execution of the watch is darn near flawless. The design is both classic and unique. The movement is affordable and dependable. The proportions are on point. The case material is bloody cool. I’m hard pressed to find anything wrong here. And if this takes the same route as that of the GMT, with multiple designs and colour ways, the sky is truly the limit for the Bamford B347.

Bamford B347 collection price and availability:

The Bamford B347 collection will be priced at £2,500GBP, which includes VAT. The collection will launch on Thursday August 26, and will be sold through Bamford and on Hodinkee.com before becoming available to Bamford London partners worldwide.