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TAG Heuer Boutique / Beaverbrooks, MK Centre, Milton Keynes, 5th March 2022
Hard to believe we're already into March 2022, and believe it or not this was my first proper visit to a jeweller since last October! The upside of this prolonged hiatus of course was that there were multiple new watches to try on and if you already follow me on Instagram (tag.heuer.enthusiast) you'll know that the other watches I tried on were the blue fumé dial Aquaracer 200 Professional, the 2022 Red Bull Formula 1 quartz chronograph and the all black Autavia Heuer 02 Flyback Chronograph. Those other three watches will of course get their own posts in time, but for today we are concentrating on this very cool Bamford limited edition Aquaracer.
In mitigation, I feel like the Bamford has perhaps had an uphill battle. Firstly it is a very unique piece and definitely something I feel is more aimed at the seasoned watch collector, rather than the average Joe looking for a watch at the mall. And secondly, we all knew this was the last of the old generation of Aquaracers... and sure enough a few months after it came out we were hit with the new, improved 43mm Aquaracer; which made dropping £3200 on the 'old' model a bit of a stretch, especially since there was a new (green) titanium model available for only slightly more money.
Now I'm not going to try and argue that the Bamford is a 'better' watch, because I don't honestly think it is, but that's not to say it isn't a very nice watch. And boy is it light. This one uses titanium for the bezel, case and bracelet and you can really tell as soon as you pick it up. The metal has been sand blasted too, which gives it a really cool and unusual look and will probably help disguise marks and scratches (always a bonus).
It does seem quite large on the wrist though, it certainly felt larger than both the Red Bull Formula 1 and the Flyback Autavia despite the Aquaracer and the F1 being the same size and the Autavia only measuring 1mm smaller across the case. Perhaps that is something to do with the overall aesthetic though, as it really grabs attention, despite being of a matt finish.
I really like the black, concentric circle (radar/sonar) dial, the orange/white hands and the orange triangle at the 12 position on the bezel. It's a pity the triangle isn't lumed, which I believe discounts it from being officially classified as a 'dive' watch... but it's not the end of the world and it looks great. There's definitely a hint of 3000 Series about this one, but it seems that even that claim to fame has been usurped recently with the release of the Aquaracer 200 Professional, which has an even more 3000esque style to it's bezel.
One thing I didn't like, actually, was the second hand. I don't know if you've noticed but in the render featured at the top of the page (and the press shot below) the second hand was fairly simple but adorned with orange and white stripes. But if you look at the wrist-shot I took in Beaverbrooks, you can see the second hand actually looks more like a 'paddle', which I found a bit distracting and off putting if I'm honest. It certainly makes it more 'visible' but it makes it ended up out of balance with the other hands to these eyes (which is a shame).
But overall getting this one on the wrist hasn't dramatically changed my opinion of it. It got my Watch of the Year vote at the end of 2020 and I stand behind that 100%. Would I take it over say a 'Tribute to 844' or a 'Night Diver' (both of which came out in 2021) well that's a whole different conversation. Maybe, but mainly because the Bamford doesn't feature those questionable octagonal lume-pots!
If you are taken with the Bamford Aquaracer, Beaverbrooks are currently offering a free watch winder or watch box when you purchase from them. Just click on the link below or visit their website directly (makes no odds to me, I'm not getting any kickbacks here).
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