Par Margaret Kemp
Watch collectors always search for unique and different dials. So aficionados will be intrigued to discover the latest, just launched, exclusive, limited edition, recycled dial.
Made from ground and roasted coffee beans, each dial has its’ own unique character, originally black, turning a dark shade of chocolate brown when exposed to sunlight over the years.
The BWD x Badgerworks concept came from the collaboration between the brilliant
George Bamford, founder of the iconic, London based,
Bamford Watch Department and
James Thompson the innovative Canadian born contemporary designer, known as « Black Badger ». Why Black Badger? Born from the fact that the badger does not back down - no matter how much larger and stronger its’ adversary!
«
It’s amazing to be working again with the awesome James Thompson of Black Badger on our second collaboration. I’ve always wanted to create a wonderful tropical dial, but in a modern way. I feel this recycled coffee dial has a really authentic tropical vibe to it. Accentuated inside the Carrera watch – it really works well », thinks George Bamford.
James Thompson (Black Badger) who lives in Gothenburg, on the west coast of Sweden comments :
«
For me this is a natural progression for the BWD Badgerworks project. In the same way we previously used the Fordite material, we’re exploring materials outisde the traditional realm of watchmaking. Few materials are as familiar in appearance and experience as coffee. Economies are built on it, wars fought over it, history is tied to it. Over 2 billion cups of coffee are consumed daily on this planet !
For this ambitious project we’ve manufactured the watch dials from real coffee! You can almost smell the roast - hear the café chatter when you’re looking at it ! » reflects the eccentric Badgerman.
Thompson continues to explain that the coffee was specially roasted and ground at his favourite
Café Da Matteo, roastery and café in Gothenburg – ranked in the top 5 worldwide by Lonely Planet Guidebook.
«
The special Badgerworks coffee was formed into dial blanks and hand finished to bring out the natural lustre and colours of the material », he adds.
Here’s a remarkable experience waiting to be tasted, « the romance of coffee is something tangible and haptic », agree the two talented designers.
Technical information:
Model: Carrera Calibre 5.
Type: Automatic Watch
Movement: Tag Heuer Calibre 5 *Sellita SW-220-1)
Power Reserve: 38 Hours.
Case Material: Stainless Steel finished with light grey Military Grade Titanium Coating (MGTC)
Case Diameter: 41mm.
Case Thickness: 13.45mm
Case Back: Stainless Steel with Sapphire Display back.
Water Resistant: 10ATM - 100m.
The BWD X Badgerworks TAG Heuer Carrera Calibre 5 with Tropical Coffee Dial is priced at £5,500 – Limited to 10 unique pieces from :
Le site
BramfordWatch
