Talking about the contemporary British watchmaking scene is impossible without mentioning the two “Bs” – Bremont and Bamford Watch Department (BWD). The former has spearheaded the development of contemporary skills and R&D from its high-tech manufacturing facility in Henley-on-Thames. Meanwhile, the latter has had a similarly revolutionary impact on the industry, cultivating a bold style that is unmistakable. 

Now the two have come together to produce a special take on Bremont’s Supermarine S500, its signature diving watch. True to the watchmaker’s high-performance creations, it is built to be fit for purpose under the most extreme conditions, with a water resistance of 500 metres. And like all timepieces BWD founder George Bamford gets his hands on, this limited edition of 250 pieces has all the hallmarks of his uncompromising design. 

This includes liberal use of lume, which not only provides extra legibility but here lends a vibrant blue hue across the indices and hands. Instead of these just being coated with the glowing material, the dial has a layered construction with a solid disc of lume topped with a plate with apertures that reveal the colour underneath. 

The cool, matt-black watch also has other quirks that add to its appeal. This includes the choice of a “California” dial, which has the unusual configuration of the top half using Roman numerals, and the bottom in Arabic numerals. Meanwhile, in a nod to the Supermarine S500’s inspiration, which draws from the Bremont founders’ fascination with the historic Supermarine S.6B Schneider Trophy Seaplane and Supermarine Spitfire, it features an etching of the Supermarine Seaplane on the caseback. 

‘I have known Nick and Giles for a while now and we became firm friends when I was moving into my Mayfair “Hive” office seven years ago and they were parking a very cool Jaguar in a car park opposite. I always said we should do something together and this project feels so right,’ says Bamford. ‘Our signature black with a raised ceramic bezel and unique arrow hand, as well as the California dial, work so well on one of their iconic watches. I love the California dial and the integration of two styles. I feel it represents the blend of two British brands working together. Also using what feels like a military blue, it emulates the crossover and bringing together of Bamford Watch Department and Bremont.’

bamfordwatchdepartment.com; bremont.com