In a market often characterized by serious tradition and heritage, collaborations that inject a dose of deliberate irreverence can feel like a breath of fresh air. The partnership between Bamford London and the creative mind of Romaric André, known professionally as seconde/seconde/, has consistently delivered this brand of playful disruption. Their latest joint effort moves their distinct design language from the wrist to the tabletop with the introduction of the Bamford x seconde/seconde/ Bad Form GMT Desk Clock. This piece extends a successful series of collaborations, translating a shared sense of humor into a functional and tangible object.
The conceptual foundation of the entire "Bad Form" collection rests on a single, universally understood hand gesture: the two-fingered salute. This gesture, often called "flicking the Vs," is steeped in folklore. A popular, though historically debunked, tale traces its origins to the Battle of Agincourt in 1415. The story goes that English longbowmen, whose formidable skills were feared by the French, would taunt their enemy by displaying their index and middle fingers—the very digits the French would sever from any captured archer.
Courtesy of Bamford
While historians have largely dismissed this specific origin story as a compelling myth, the gesture's modern meaning is unambiguous. It has evolved into a symbol of defiance, a playful and sometimes pointed signal of dismissal. It is this spirit of non-conformity and cheeky rebellion that George Bamford and Romaric André have captured. The "Bad Form" name itself is a tongue-in-cheek acknowledgment of this, turning a symbol of impudence into the central design motif for a series of meticulously crafted time-telling devices.
This new desk clock marks a first for Bamford London, taking the core idea of their previous wristwatch collaborations and scaling it into a different format. It is an object designed to occupy a personal space—a desk, a nightstand, or a bookshelf—serving as a constant, subtle reminder not to take things too seriously. The clock is a solid, confident piece that merges the precision of Swiss timekeeping with the disruptive art of seconde/seconde/, creating an item that is both a tool and a statement.
Visually, the clock presents a powerful and compact profile. The case is a solid square of stainless steel, measuring 80 millimeters by 80 millimeters, with a depth of 18.5 millimeters. This form gives it a satisfying heft and stability, weighing in at 450 grams. The material chosen is SS316L stainless steel, known for its corrosion resistance and durability, ensuring the clock is built to last. The entire case is given a polished finishing, creating a bright, reflective surface that interacts with ambient light and adds a refined quality to its otherwise stark, geometric shape.
The back of the clock maintains a clean and functional aesthetic. It is a solid steel plate, likely secured to provide access to the movement and battery compartment. Engravings on the back include essential information such as the brand names and the limited-edition number, cementing its status as a collectible piece. The back of the watch also has a built in stand. The design prioritizes a seamless and robust construction, emphasizing the object's substantial and permanent feel.
Courtesy of Bamford
The dial is the clock's focal point, where the collaboration's personality comes to life. Crafted from brass, the main surface is a vibrant blue. Large, clear markers denote the hours, ensuring legibility from a distance. Encircling the primary dial is an inner bezel marked with a 24-hour scale, which is essential for the clock's GMT function. This ring is cleverly color-coded: the portion from 6 to 18 (representing daytime hours) is rendered in the same blue as the dial, while the section from 18 to 6 (nighttime hours) is finished in white, providing an intuitive visual day/night indicator for the second time zone.
The hands are designed for maximum clarity and visual impact. The primary hour and minute hands are bold and straight, treated with a luminous compound that glows blue in low-light conditions. The dial's hour markers are also filled with the same blue lume, ensuring that the time is easily readable regardless of the lighting. This practical feature ensures the clock is not merely a decorative object but a genuinely useful instrument.
Of course, the star of the show is the custom GMT hand. This is where the "Bad Form" theme is made explicit. Instead of a traditional arrow or pointer, the hand is shaped into the iconic two-fingered salute. This hand, the signature touch of seconde/seconde/, makes a full rotation once every 24 hours, with its fingertips pointing to the corresponding hour on the inner bezel. It’s a clever, disruptive, and humorous integration of art into function, turning the act of tracking a second time zone into a moment of playful defiance.
At the heart of the Bad Form GMT Desk Clock is a Swiss-made Ronda 515.24h quartz movement. This caliber is a well-regarded and reliable workhorse, chosen for its accuracy and its integrated GMT complication. Quartz movements are a logical choice for a desk clock, offering set-it-and-forget-it convenience without the need for regular winding. The Ronda movement ensures that, despite its playful exterior, the clock is a serious and precise timekeeping instrument.
Courtesy of Bamford
The GMT function itself is a highly practical feature, allowing the user to track two time zones simultaneously. The main hour and minute hands display the local time, while the custom "Bad Form" hand points to the hour in a second location on the 24-hour scale. This is particularly useful for those who frequently communicate across different continents, travel, or simply wish to keep a connection to another part of the world.
The choice of materials reinforces the clock's quality construction. The robust SS316L stainless steel case provides a solid foundation. The brass dial offers a durable and stable base for the intricate printing and application of luminous material. Protecting the dial is a pane of mineral glass, which provides good clarity and resistance to scratches from daily handling.
Powering the Ronda movement is a Renata 371 battery. This standard power source is known for its reliability and offers a battery life of approximately two years. This longevity means the clock requires minimal maintenance, allowing it to function as a dependable fixture on any surface without frequent attention.
The collaboration is a natural fit for Bamford London. Founded by George Bamford, the brand initially gained fame through the Bamford Watch Department, which specialized in customizing and personalizing luxury watches from other high-end manufacturers. This background in reinterpretation and modification established a precedent for creative experimentation. Over time, Bamford London evolved to produce its own line of timepieces, including the GMT, Mayfair, and B347 models, all of which carry a distinct design DNA that balances British utility with a modern, customizable flair.
Courtesy of Bamford
Romaric André’s seconde/seconde/ operates from a similar place of creative reinterpretation, albeit with a more pointedly artistic and humorous agenda. He made his name by sourcing vintage watches and making small but impactful alterations, most famously by replacing a single hand—often the seconds hand—with a custom, pop-culture-inspired icon. This act of "playful vandalism," as he calls it, challenges the often-staid conventions of the watch industry and has led to official collaborations with numerous brands who appreciate his unique perspective.
The Bad Form Desk Clock is a testament to the shared vision of these two creative forces. It encapsulates the irreverent humor and willingness to challenge norms that both Bamford and André are known for. It is a piece that understands the rules of good design and quality manufacturing, but consciously chooses to break a few social conventions along the way.
Beyond its function, the clock is presented as a collectible design object. The production is strictly limited to a run of just 50 pieces. This scarcity immediately elevates its status, making it a desirable item for collectors of both Bamford's work and the unique creations of seconde/seconde/. It is not a mass-market item but a carefully considered piece for a niche audience that appreciates its blend of horology, art, and humor.
Enhancing its appeal as both a desktop item and a travel companion, the clock is delivered in a slim, black travel case. This thoughtful addition provides a secure and portable housing for the clock, making it easy to transport without risk of damage. It speaks to a modern, mobile lifestyle, where the line between home and away is often blurred, and personal objects can provide a sense of place wherever one might be. The presentation reinforces the idea of the clock as a personal luxury good, designed to be both used and protected.
Courtesy of Bamford
The Bamford x seconde/seconde/ Bad Form GMT Desk Clock was released on September 10, 2025. Given its limited run of 50 pieces, its availability is exclusive. The clock is priced at £916.67 and is sold directly through Bamford London's official website, bamfordlondon.com. This direct channel ensures that enthusiasts and collectors have a clear and official point of purchase for securing one of these unique collaborative pieces.
Case: SS316L stainless steel with polished finishing. Dimensions 80x80x18.5mm, weight 450g. Mineral glass.
Movement: Swiss quartz Ronda 515.24h AIG2. GMT function. Renata 371 battery with two-year life.
Dial: Blue brass dial. 24-hour inner bezel (blue/white day-night indicator). Blue lume on dial and hands.
Strap: N/A (Desk Clock).
Price: £916.67
Notes: Limited edition of 50 pieces. Features a custom GMT hand in the shape of a "two-fingered salute" by seconde/seconde/. Presented in a slim black travel case.