Bamford London has introduced its Summer 2025 GMT collection, a vibrant series of timepieces designed as a "World Tour on the Wrist." This new lineup celebrates the spirit of travel, sunshine, and global connection, offering five distinct watches that encapsulate the unique energy of different summer destinations. Each piece is a functional tool for the modern traveler, blending eye-catching color palettes with the practicality of dual time zone functionality. The collection is engineered to keep its wearer connected, whether they are exploring distant coastlines or managing international schedules from home.
The concept is rooted in a subtle tribute to Greenwich Mean Time, the global standard that anchors all time zones. Each of the five watches in the collection is named according to the GMT offset of its inspirational location. The bezel colors are not arbitrary; they are drawn directly from the landscapes, cultural vibes, and specific moods associated with each destination. This thoughtful approach creates a deeper narrative for each timepiece, linking it to a tangible place and feeling, making it more than a simple accessory.
Courtesy of Bamford
Since its debut in 2017, the Bamford GMT has become a foundational piece within the brand's offerings, recognized for its distinctive cushion-shaped case and practical internal rotating bezel. For the Summer 2025 iteration, the collection introduces a novel linear gradation pattern. This design features harmonious tones blending into one another in a seamless gradient, a visual cue inspired by the surreal optical illusions often found in nature, like the shifting colors of a sunset or the meeting of sea and sky. It represents a fresh take on the classic steel case, infusing it with a dynamic sense of color and life.
George Bamford, the founder of Bamford London, offers insight into the collection's inspiration. He explains, “For summer 2025 we have taken the Bamford GMT and respun our classic steel case with colours that make us think of beach holidays. Tropical fish, piña coladas, lush landscapes and sunsets in paradise. When I wear this watch it transports me to a beautiful destination with my family, regardless of the weather in London. The Summer GMT is an escape from the day-to-day on your wrist, with colours that pop and complement your style, wherever you are in the world.”
This collection strikes a careful balance between a playful, statement-making aesthetic and the principles of refined watchmaking. The vibrant designs are backed by serious technical credentials. Each piece is powered by a Swiss-made automatic movement, ensuring reliability and precision. This combination of expressive design and functional integrity is aimed at individuals who appreciate both form and function, seeking a watch that is both a conversation starter and a dependable daily companion.
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The Capri model, representing GMT+2, is a study in coastal vibrance. It features a smooth gradient that transitions from a deep azure blue to a bright aquamarine. This color combination is designed to evoke a sense of clarity and calm. The bezel’s shift from a classic navy to a soft, sunlit blue mirrors the changing hues of the Mediterranean Sea as seen from the island of Capri, a place known for its breezy atmosphere of linen shirts and lemon groves. The watch is completed with a bold, royal blue strap, its fabric texture adding a touch of casual sophistication.
Reflecting the tranquil yet adventurous spirit of its namesake, the Bali GMT +8 features a calming yet compelling color scheme. The bezel presents a seamless transition from a gentle seafoam green to a deep jungle green. This pairing is inspired by the island's natural beauty, from its turquoise shores to its lush, rolling rice paddies. The design aims to capture the feeling of Bali, where time seems to slow down and nature's presence is profoundly felt. It serves as a soothing reminder of saltwater air and the promise of exploration.
The most daring and expressive piece in the collection is the Tulum GMT -5. This model is defined by a cool clash of tones, pairing a vibrant flame orange with a cool Caribbean blue. This unexpected combination reflects the spontaneity and rhythm of the Riviera Maya. The design captures the unique energy of Tulum, from its ancient ruins overlooking the sea to its magical beachside sunsets. The blend of bright sky blue and a burst of mango orange celebrates the interplay of time, light, and culture on the Yucatán coast.
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Embodying the high-energy pulse of its namesake city, the Miami GMT -4 is a bold expression of contrast and energy. Its bezel features a striking linear gradient that glides from a soft bubble gum pink into a rich, deep magenta. This color pairing is reminiscent of Miami's signature aesthetic: cocktails at sunset, vibrant Art Deco architecture, and late-night drives under glowing neon signs. It’s a watch that captures the city’s unique blend of sunshine, sweat, and unapologetic flair.
The Casablanca GMT +1 captures a mood of romance and rhythm, inspired by the Moroccan city's lantern-lit streets and golden hour mystique. This model features a warm and uplifting palette, with a bezel that fades from a glowing flamingo pink into a sun-soaked sherbet yellow. The gradient is designed to capture the feeling of the final glimmer of daylight over a desert skyline, evoking a sense of warmth and effortless style.
At the heart of each watch in the Summer 2025 GMT collection is the Sellita SW330-2 automatic movement. This Swiss-made caliber is a workhorse in the industry, known for its reliability and precision. It operates at a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour (Vph), which translates to a smooth sweep of the seconds hand and excellent timekeeping accuracy. The movement is built with 25 jewels, which reduce friction at key stress points, enhancing its longevity and performance.
A significant feature of the SW330-2 is its impressive 56-hour power reserve. This means that once fully wound, the watch can be taken off and set aside for over two days without needing to be rewound or reset. The self-winding mechanism, which uses a ball bearing for efficiency, harnesses the motion of the wearer's wrist to power the watch, making it a highly practical choice for daily wear and travel. The inclusion of a quick date setting at the 3 o’clock position adds another layer of convenience.
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The Bamford GMT is defined by its 40mm cushion-shaped case, a design that blends the soft curves of a circle with the angularity of a square. This shape gives the watch a distinct presence on the wrist that is both modern and comfortable. The case is crafted from 316L grade stainless steel, a material prized for its high resistance to corrosion and its durability, ensuring the watch can withstand the rigors of daily life and travel.
The case dimensions are carefully considered for wearability, with a thickness of 11.7mm and a lug-to-lug length of 46.5mm, allowing it to sit comfortably on a wide range of wrist sizes. Protecting the dial is a sapphire crystal, a material second only to diamond in hardness, making it exceptionally resistant to scratches. The crystal is also treated with an anti-glare coating, which enhances legibility by reducing reflections in bright sunlight. Furthermore, the watch boasts a water resistance of 100 meters (10 ATM), making it suitable for swimming and snorkeling.
Each watch in the Summer 2025 collection is fitted with a strap made from recycled polyester, known as rPET. This choice reflects a commitment to sustainability without compromising on style or comfort. The material has a woven, fabric-like texture that complements the casual, travel-oriented theme of the collection. The straps are color-matched to each watch's unique palette, creating a cohesive and visually impactful design.
A key feature of the straps is the quick-release system. This allows the wearer to easily swap straps without the need for any tools, offering the versatility to change the look of the watch in seconds. The 20mm lug width is a standard size, providing compatibility with a wide array of aftermarket straps for those who wish to further personalize their timepiece.
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The Bamford London GMT Summer 2025 collection is a compelling offering that combines vibrant, travel-inspired design with robust, Swiss-made mechanicals. Each of the five models provides a unique personality, from the serene greens of Bali to the energetic neons of Miami, all unified by the iconic cushion case and the new linear gradient bezel.
This collection presents a distinct point of view in the watch market, catering to those who seek a functional travel watch that doesn't shy away from color and expressive design. The balance of playful aesthetics and serious watchmaking credentials makes it a versatile choice for a variety of occasions. The Bamford GMT Summer 2025 watches are available at a retail price of £1,450 including VAT, offering a unique package of style, function, and storytelling for the modern world traveler.
Case: 316L grade stainless steel, cushion-shaped. 40mm diameter, 11.7mm thickness, 46.5mm lug-to-lug. Sapphire Crystal glass with anti-glare. Water resistance 100m / 10 ATM.
Movement: Sellita SW330-2 Automatic. 25 Jewels, 28,800 Vph, 56-hour power reserve. Self-winding mechanism with GMT function via central hand and a 3 o'clock date with quick setting.
Dial: White dial with an internal rotating bezel featuring a linear gradient color scheme unique to each model.
Strap: Recycled Polyester (rPET) with a quick-release system. 20mm lug width.
Price: £1,450
Notes: The collection features five watches, each named for the GMT offset of a specific city. The internal rotating bezel on each model displays a unique linear color gradient inspired by its namesake location.