After their first two collaborations, Bamford Watch Department and Black Badger have once again united for a third project that incorporates an innovative superconductor material. It is a special edition timepiece built on a Zenith El Primero chronograph.

A superconductor is a material that offers almost zero resistance to electric current. There are many variations and types of superconducting materials. The BWD X BB Zenith El Primero Superconductor watch features a solid case made from Copper-Niobium superconductor.

In this superconductor material, filaments of niobium metal are housed within copper and extruded to the desired length. The superconductor used for the BWD X BB Zenith El Primero Superconductor watch is comprised of a tight orientation of silver metal and copper housing. There is a fantastically organised network honeycomb aesthetic. However, when angles and curves are introduced to the metal a brilliant high-tech wood-grain array is revealed.

You can expose the finished superconductor piece to a special acid that will eat away the copper but leave the niobium structure untouched. This gives a highly dramatic, skeletonised effect with unrivalled contrast. This material has been machined down into the mid-case of the watch and it has been lightly acid etched to make the honey-comb stand out more and the finish matt with glass bead. However this material can also be polished to a light finish.

This 42mm diameter watch houses an El Primero 400B Automatic column-wheel chronograph that beats at 36,000 vibrations per hour. This 31-jewels self-winding movement delivers a power reserve up to 50 hours.

The BWD X BB Zenith El Primero Superconductor watch features a black dial with gold accents, 3 sub-dials (small seconds and chronograph 12-hour & 30-minute counters), date display at 6h and a tachymeter outer dial ring.

This BWD X BB Zenith El Primero Superconductor watch will be offered in a limited edition of 20 pieces. The watch is fitted with a genuine suede leather strap in black with gold contrast stitching.

Technical details

Movement
El Primero 400B Automatic, 31 jewels, 326 components, 36,000 VpH, (5 Hz)
Type: Automatic El Primero column-wheel chronograph
Power reserve: min 50 hours

Functions
Small seconds at 9 o’clock
Tachymetric scale
Date indication at 6 o’clock
Chronograph with central chronograph seconds hand; 12-hour counter at 6 o’clock; 30 minute counter at 3 o’clock

Case
Material: Copper Niobium Superconductor
Case diameter: 42 mm
Case thickness: 13 mm
Case-back: Sapphire crystal
Water resistance: 100m / 10 ATM
Lug width: 21 mm

Dial
Black dial with gold accents
Sub dials and tachymeter
Hands with Super-Luminova

Strap
Genuine suede leather in black with gold contrast stitch

Edition
Limited Edition of 20 pieces

Price
£14,500

Availability
Available to order online from 17th August 2020