Rowing Blazers x Bamford Babar

A unique intersection of playful nostalgia, contemporary design, and horological craftsmanship emerges with the introduction of the Rowing Blazers x Bamford London Babar GMT watch. This limited-edition timepiece represents a continuation of successful partnerships for both the cult New York clothing brand Rowing Blazers and the renowned watch customizer Bamford London, bringing the much-loved character Babar the Elephant to the wrist in a sophisticated yet whimsical execution. It’s a project that merges distinct brand identities into a singular, compelling object.

Rowing Blazers, established in 2017 by Jack Carlson – an individual whose background spans design, authorship, archaeology, and competitive rowing as a former U.S. national team coxswain – quickly carved a niche for itself. The brand offers a fresh, often irreverent perspective on traditional "preppy" aesthetics. It delves into the history and symbolism behind classic items like the blazer, reinterpreting them for a modern audience. Known for its vibrant use of color, historical references, and an inclusive approach, Rowing Blazers celebrates authenticity and cultural depth, drawing inspiration from collegiate traditions, sporting heritage, and global exploration, much like Carlson's book of the same name. Its appeal is broad, attracting a dedicated following and collaborating with diverse partners, reflecting a dynamic view of classic American style. The brand became part of the Burch family of brands in 2024, joining other notable names in contemporary fashion.



Bamford London occupies a distinct space within the watch world, founded by George Bamford. Initially gaining fame for customizing high-end watches from major manufacturers, often utilizing unique coatings and colorways, the company evolved to create its own line of timepieces. Bamford London emphasizes personalization, viewing luxury as a statement unique to the individual. Their approach is highly customer-centric, aiming to deliver exceptional quality and service. Beyond bespoke services, Bamford London has developed its own models, including the Bamford London GMT, Mayfair Sport, B347, and D-300, showcasing a consistent design language often characterized by bold color accents and functional robustness. George Bamford’s vision positions the company as a hub for personalized luxury, extending beyond watches to accessories.

The star of this collaborative timepiece, Babar the Elephant, holds a cherished place in children's literature and popular culture. His story began in 1931 with the French book Histoire de Babar, written and illustrated by Jean de Brunhoff, based on a tale his wife Cécile created for their children. Following Jean's death, his son Laurent continued the series, expanding Babar's universe. The books depict Babar's journey from the jungle to the city, his education, return, and coronation as King of the Elephants. His world is one filled with family (like his wife Celeste and their children), adventures, stylish living often involving mid-century jet-set travel, civic duties, and gentle lessons. Babar embodies kindness, sophistication, and a worldly perspective, making him an enduring figure.

Rowing Blazers has fostered a strong relationship with the Babar property over several seasons, integrating the character into numerous apparel collections. These collaborations have included everyday wear, ski-themed capsules, and even a special partnership with the iconic Parisian establishment, Café de Flore. Babar's inherent style and gentle nature resonate with the Rowing Blazers ethos, positioning him as something of a "patron saint" for the brand. This history makes the inclusion of Babar on a watch feel like a natural, albeit novel, extension of their ongoing partnership. This timepiece marks the first instance where Babar graces a watch dial within this collaborative framework.



The Rowing Blazers x Bamford Babar GMT is conceived as more than just a character watch; it's a functional and thoughtfully designed timepiece built around a reliable Swiss movement. Following Rowing Blazers' 2023 collaboration with Bamford on the TAG Heuer "Yacht Timer" Carrera, this new project further cements the synergy between the brands. It leverages Bamford's expertise in watchmaking and unique design sensibilities, Rowing Blazers' distinct aesthetic vision and narrative capability, and Babar's universal charm. The result is a watch intended for both enthusiasts of the brands involved and collectors seeking distinctive timepieces.

At the heart of the watch's utility is its GMT function, catering to those who appreciate travel or need to track multiple time zones. This is facilitated by an automatic 24-hour GMT hand, which works in conjunction with an internal rotating bezel marked with a 24-hour scale. By setting the bezel or referencing the GMT hand against the fixed scale, the wearer can easily keep track of a second time zone, a feature inspired by the needs of pilots and international travelers, which aligns nicely with Babar's own storied adventures across the globe.

The watch is housed in a 40mm case crafted from 316L grade stainless steel, a material favored in quality watchmaking for its durability and resistance to corrosion. The case dimensions strike a balance, offering contemporary presence without being overly large, suitable for a wide range of wrists. Its thickness is measured at 11.7mm, contributing to a profile that should sit comfortably under a cuff. The finishing of the case, likely incorporating both brushed and polished surfaces typical of Bamford designs, adds visual interest and a touch of refinement to the tool-watch silhouette. Protecting the dial is a sapphire crystal, known for its exceptional scratch resistance, which features an anti-glare coating to enhance legibility under various lighting conditions.



The dial is undoubtedly the focal point where the collaboration's playful aspect comes to life. It features a depiction of Babar, dressed in his signature green suit and yellow crown. In a clever design choice, Babar's arms serve as the hour and minute hands, pointing to the time. This integration turns a static character image into a dynamic part of the time-telling function. The background dial color provides contrast, allowing Babar and the indices to stand out clearly. A date window is positioned at the 3 o'clock marker, offering practical daily information, with a quick date setting function for convenience. The red GMT hand adds a distinct pop of color, aiding its visibility against the other hands and dial elements.

Beneath the dial beats the Sellita SW330-2 automatic movement, a Swiss-made caliber respected for its reliability and performance, often used as a capable alternative to ETA movements. This self-winding movement operates with a ball-bearing rotor, capturing the wearer's motion to power the watch. It features 25 jewels, which reduce friction at critical points, enhancing longevity and accuracy. The movement operates at a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour (Vph), or 4 Hz, contributing to a smooth sweep of the seconds hand and good timekeeping stability. A substantial power reserve of 56 hours ensures the watch will continue running for over two days even when not worn.

Completing the watch's construction is a solid stainless steel case back, which protects the movement within. The watch boasts a water resistance rating of 100 meters (10 ATM). This level of resistance makes the watch suitable for everyday wear, including exposure to rain, splashes, and recreational swimming, though it's generally not recommended for diving. It adds a layer of practicality and robustness, ensuring the watch can handle daily life's incidental encounters with moisture without issue.



The design language represents a fusion of the collaborators' core identities. Rowing Blazers brings its affinity for narrative, character, and slightly subversive classicism. Bamford London contributes its technical watchmaking know-how, experience with customization, and often bold use of color within a specific design framework. Babar provides the anchor of recognizable charm and worldly sophistication. The integration of Babar's arms as hands is a hallmark of creative character watch design, executed here within the context of a more complex GMT movement.

This Rowing Blazers x Bamford Babar GMT is explicitly designated as a limited-edition, made-to-order release. Production is capped at just 99 units worldwide. This scarcity significantly enhances its collectible nature, ensuring that owners possess a truly exclusive piece born from this unique three-way partnership. Limited runs like this often appeal to dedicated fans of the brands and character, as well as watch collectors seeking pieces that stand out from mass-market offerings.

Adding to the ownership experience, each watch is delivered in special packaging. Described as a collectible box, it likely features unique branding or artwork related to the collaboration, perhaps incorporating elements from Rowing Blazers, Bamford London, and Babar. Thoughtful packaging elevates the product, making the unboxing process part of the enjoyment and providing appropriate storage for the limited timepiece.



This project fits neatly into the ongoing narrative of both Rowing Blazers and Bamford London engaging in high-profile collaborations. For Rowing Blazers, it follows ventures with brands ranging from heritage labels to artists and, significantly, the prior Bamford partnership on the TAG Heuer Carrera. For Bamford, it adds to a long list of co-branded projects and character watch interpretations, demonstrating their ability to adapt their platform to diverse themes while maintaining their identity.

For those looking to acquire this unique timepiece, the Rowing Blazers x Bamford Babar GMT is priced at $2,348 USD. The watch will be sold online directly through both the Rowing Blazers website (rowingblazers.com). Given the strict limitation to only 99 units, prospective buyers will likely need to act quickly on the release date to secure one.

Case: 316L grade stainless steel. 40 mm diameter. 11.7 mm thickness. Sapphire Crystal glass with antiglare. Stainless Steel case back. Water-resistance 100m / 10 ATM.

Movement: Sellita SW330-2 automatic GMT. Self-winding mechanism with ball bearing. 25 Jewels. 28,800 Vph. 56 hour power reserve. Second time zone by central hand. Quick date setting.

Dial: Babar motif with arms as hour/minute hands. Internal rotating bezel. 3 O’Clock date position.

Strap: 20mm lug width.

Price: $2,348 USD

Notes: Swiss-made. Limited edition of 99 units. Collaboration between Rowing Blazers, Bamford London, and Babar. Packaged in a special collectible box. Available April 24, 2025.