Frederique Constant x Bamford Redefine Highlife with New Chronograph Edition
Frederique Constant has been on a roll lately, but this one’s a proper curveball. For the first time ever, the Swiss manufacture has teamed up with Bamford Watch Department — the London outfit known for its dark, moody, custom-leaning designs — to create a Highlife Chronograph Automatic that looks like it’s been forged in the shadows of Gotham.
A Case That’s Literally Cooked to Perfection
The 41mm case is made from grade-2 titanium, but not the boring kind. This stuff has been heated to absurd temperatures (about 1,200°C) until the metal crystallises, giving each watch its own unique mineral-like pattern. Then it’s all dunked in black DLC coating so the whole thing looks like a tactical gadget you’re definitely not allowed to bring through airport security.
Water resistance sits at 100 metres, and the back is a smoked sapphire window — because even stealthy watches deserve a bit of theatre.
A Dial with Bamford Written All Over It
Bamford’s signature design language hits immediately: a matte black dial, no unnecessary textures, and a tri-compax layout that’s clean enough to eat your dinner off. The real pop comes from the turquoise highlights — a colour George Bamford seems physically incapable of designing without — splashed across the chronograph hands and flange.
There’s no date window, which is a blessing. The whole thing remains neat, symmetrical, and refreshingly un-cluttered.
Inside: A Proper Column-Wheel Chronograph
Ticking away behind the smoked caseback is the FC-391 movement, a column-wheel chronograph based on the rock-solid Valjoux 7750 architecture. It runs at 4Hz, pumps out 60 hours of power reserve, and gets the usual Geneva stripe treatment for those who enjoy a cheeky stare at the mechanics.
Three Straps, No Tools Required
In true Highlife style, the straps are all quick-change, and you get three of them in the box: black rubber, turquoise rubber, and black nubuck leather. That’s basically three different personalities — stealth mode, loud mode, and “I work in creative but still need to look respectable” mode.
Limited Edition, Naturally
Only 100 pieces are being made. Blink and you’ll miss it. The price? CHF 4,495, which is frankly quite reasonable for something that looks this custom and this cool straight from the factory.
Winding Things Up
This is Frederique Constant showing it can loosen the tie and have some fun. The Bamford influence is strong — dark, graphite-leaning, modern — but the underlying Swiss mechanics keep things serious where it counts. It’s bold, it’s different, and it’s hands down one of the most interesting Highlife releases to date.
