In this wacky world of watches there are two main schools of watch modifying – there are the DIY home modders, switching out bezels and handsets to create their own personalised watches, and then there are the high end watch customisers that take luxury watches and make them that little bit extra. I think cars are a good analogy – there are the home enthusiasts that modify their own cars and then there are the big players like AMG and Singer that take powerful high end cars and tweak them to make them something extra special.

Bamford Watch Department is a big player in the watch customisation game. Originally they were well known for PVD coating Rolex watches. In 2017 they shifted focus to models across the LVMH group. There are all the kind of customisation options you would expect such as coloured case coatings, dials, logos etc. The story goes that when clients left their watches with BWD for modification they would be loaned a service watch. Clients liked the service watch so much that BWD decided to develop and release their own watch based on it. The result is the Bamford Mayfair, a 40mm quartz watch with a Benrus style asymmetrical case and a 12 hour bezel.

I really like the look of this watch. The combination of the military grade titanium coating, ceramic bezel and sapphire crystal should mean that it’s tough enough to handle anything you throw at it. The quartz movement and 12 hour bezel would also make it a great grab and go travel watch. Unfortunately the model I purchased from Mr. Porter had a couple of flaws on the bezel, I sent it back for repair or replacement but I was advised that they were unable to repair it and I was issued a refund, which is a shame. I like the brand and the style but my time with the Bamford Mayfair was way too short!