The Bamfordwatchdepartment.com is a dive watch descended from the Seiko 6309 and 7002 traces that date to 1976. The 6309 ended manufacturing in 1988, 37 years in the past. This new beast, nevertheless, is a throwback to these tremendous cool and tremendous colourful days of Seiko’s previous.
Bamford has lengthy modified Swiss watches, from TAG Heuer to Girard-Perregaux. The method is constant: begin with a producer’s case and dial design, then tweak supplies, colours, and particulars so the watch turns into one thing new with out dropping the character that made the unique interesting.
On different initiatives, George Bamford may PVD a case in black and add a dripping-paint dial, or create a pilot’s watch with heavy lume. What units Bamford aside is realizing when to push and when to carry again, and why.
On the SBAS315, Seiko’s traditional case lineage, 6309, 7002, SKX007, meets a clear blue dial. The dial is a transparent blue disc that permits you to see the 4R36’s day and date wheels beneath the floor.
The blue dial, the orange accents on the high of the bezel insert, and the black bezel base all tie neatly to the black, blue, and orange material strap. The strap keepers are engraved “BAMFORD,” matching the Bamford title on the dial.
The Seiko SBAS315 shouldn’t be attempting to be distinctive for its personal sake. It’s 42.5 mm in diameter, on the bigger facet. Thickness is 14.2 mm, not small. For reference, a Rolex dive watch sits round 12 mm, and the previous NTH microbrand made divers close to 11.5 mm. The Seiko x Bamford wears giant, tall, and daring. If that’s your choice, this hits the temporary.
Seiko doesn’t pitch an arboretum or botanical-garden story right here, however the analogy suits. Think about a well-curated backyard the place acquainted species are chosen and refined for the way they give the impression of being and thrive collectively. This Seiko x Bamford seems like that, a confirmed Seiko case with Bamford’s taste layered on high, creating one thing recognizably Seiko that also stands other than different dive watches.
Additionally it is a robust worth. A typical Seiko 5 is available in round $450. This collaboration is about $460. You get the material strap as an alternative of a bracelet, but when that is the look you need, that commerce is smart.
Bamford has all the time modified dials and circumstances for Swiss watches, from Tag Heuer to Girard-Perregaux. Bamford takes an present case and dial design from a producer, in order that the watch turns into one thing new, with out dropping the custom that made the unique watch distinctive.
For different watches, George Bamford would attempt to change a watch right into a PVD black case with a dripping paint dial, or make a pilot’s look ahead to a fighter with big quantities of lume throughout. However what makes Bamford in a different way is realizing when to make, and why.
Worth: $460
Availability: Seiko Boutique Unique, beginning November 2025 in america
Restricted Version: Sure, 2,025 items
