Bremont and Bamford Watch Department

‘There’s a new confidence which can only be great for British watchmaking’

In a way, it’s remarkable that Bremont’s founders Nick and Giles English, and Bamford Watch Department’s George Bamford, haven’t worked together before: the synergies are obvious.

“We’re both independent, driven brands in an arena dominated by large luxury groups. We also have a joint love of all things mechanical, and this has always made our relationship natural,” says Nick.

Bamford, a serial collaborator with Swiss brands, has brought its customary flare and boldness to Bremont’s ultra-tough S500 dive watch (above). Reimagined in stealthy all-black, its defining feature is its sandwich dial in a ‘California’ layout, mixing Roman and Arabic numerals. The watch, reportedly, has become one of Bremont’s most successful launches. But for Nick, the partnership has much wider implications.

“Collaborations between British watch brands haven’t been seen for a long time. There is a new confidence which can only be great for watchmaking in this country.” Bremont S500 Bamford Special Edition, £3,995; bamfordwatch department.com, bremont.com