INTRODUCING: The TAG Heuer Aquaracer Bamford Limited Edition

Zach Blass

Watch consumers are always looking for a fresh new face to add to their wrists and collections. The irony, however, is we also tend to flock to familiar designs – references we believe are iconic. So how do we solve this problem? As per usual, Bamford has the answer. The Bamford Watch Department is known for taking watches to a whole new level, providing incredible makeovers to timepieces that leave some wondering how it was not made a production model in the first place. Today, TAG Heuer and Bamford once again team up with the new TAG Heuer Aquaracer Bamford Limited Edition (click here to purchase).

The case, made of grade 2 titanium, is 43mm in diameter. With an approximate lug to lug of 49mm, the case size should not pose a problem for smaller than average wrists. The unidirectional rotating bezel matches the case, in grade 2 titanium, and has a orange triangle pip at 12 with a 60-minute scale. It’s dodecagon-shaped bezel creates easy to grip angles, which enhance the tactile experience when in use. The only component of the case not fabricated in titanium is its stainless-steel screw-down crown. The crown, along with its screw-down caseback, gives the watch up to 300 metres of water resistance for wearers eager to test the Aquaracer name.

The entirety of the watch is sandblasted metal, which creates a rugged professional aesthetic throughout and will give the wearer every comfort not to baby it while on the wrist. The TAG Heuer Aquaracer Bamford Limited Edition is by every means a daily beater and diver. Engraved on the caseback you will find “ONE OF 1500” to signal the special nature of the release and collaboration.

The dial is black with concentric etchings that evoke the look of a submarine’s radar, the sector lines like a missile crosshair locking onto its target. On the outboard ring of the dial, adjacent to its inner bezel, you’ll see orange dash marks beyond the orange border of the hashed minutes track that do not necessarily indicate any particular aspect of time but work to further provide the dial with a subtle pop of orange colour.

At the 12 position you will find a printed white TAG Heuer logo and Bamford co-branding at 6 with the model name and depth rating printed as well. At 3, a date complication occupies the dial with little obstruction, its magnifying lens ensuring the date is extremely legible to the wearer. The hours, minutes, and seconds hand are rhodium-plated and filled with white Super-LumiNova®. The seconds hand has a stuttered orange tip, with luminescent material filling the void where the orange breaks. The indexes are also surprisingly rhodium-plated but are entirely coated with white Super-LumiNova®, resulting in very bright batons in darker settings.

 

The three-row bracelet is also made from a sandblasted grade 2 titanium, with a double safety push button folding clasp to ensure it does not open accidentally or upon shock. It also features diving extension, which will better allow the watch to wear over a dive suit. There are three points of micro adjustment in the clasp to ensure the wearer is able to achieve the perfect fit on the wrist. I would be remiss if I didn’t point out to members of the Time+Tide club that their limited edition Erika’s Original strap would make a great alternative to the bracelet, matching the black and orange colours perfectly.

The TAG Heuer Aquaracer Bamford is powered by the TAG Heuer Calibre 5 automatic movement. Its architecture is based on the (don’t say workhorse, don’t say workhorse) reliable ETA 2824-2 architecture, a time-tested movement that has consistently provided high performance in regard to accuracy and shock resistance: 28,800 vph, 25 jewels, and 42 hours of power reserve, the movement is perfectly suitable for daily wear and rigorous activity – and when it comes time to service, should keep costs down. The other benefit of the Calibre 5 movement is it also works to keep the proportions slimmer, as an entirely in-house manufacture movement could possibly have increased the watch’s size or thickness.

TAG Heuer Aquaracer Bamford Limited Edition pricing and availability:

The TAG Heuer Aquaracer Bamford Limited Edition is $5650 AU and is limited to 1500 pieces. To purchase click here to visit the TAG Heuer online store, and it will be available in TAG Heuer boutiques in December.

Made in partnership with TAG Heuer. However, the opinions expressed in this article are our own in accordance with our Editorial Policy.