If the men in grey suits at the Bank of England want to jazz up their looks with a customised TAG Heuer timepiece, they need only hop across the road to George Bamford’s first retail outlet at The Royal Exchange.
The shop is actually branded and stocked with Mr Bamford’s male accessories lines under a Bamford Grooming Department sign, but watch lovers will be able to meet for consultations in store to design their own unique timepieces.
“We will have the watch guys here every Thursday, and of it goes well we’ll come more often,” Mr Bamford told WatchPro at an official opening event tonight.
His customising business, Bamford Watch Department, is officially sanctioned to design one off pieces by TAG Heuer, Zenith and Bulgari.
The Royal Exchange boutique is squeezed into a former cigar shop, and occupies a ground floor no bigger than a walk-in wardrobe and an equally bijoux basement where watch design meetings will take place.
The Royal Exchange has developed into a minor destination for watch connoisseurs, with Omega, Bremont, Watchfinder and Watches of Switzerland all present in The City of London’s most historic shopping centre.
