Those interested in the sometimes wacky world of after-market modified Rolex watches should take note of this new limited edition Bamford Watch Department x The Rodnik Band Snoopy Rolex Datejust watch. Once again, Bamford is working with fashion label The Rodnik Band on a Charles Schulz’s Peanuts-inspired watch, with both Snoopy and Woodstock on the dial this time.
This newest Bamford Watch Department (BWD) x The Rodnik Band Snoopy watch uses a base Rolex Datejust (36mm wide), while their previous collaboration used a modified and black-colored Rolex Milgauss with Snoopy on the dial. That previously-produced limited edition came in a 40mm-wide case with Snoopy on the dial wearing sunglasses. For this newest watch, we have a more celebratory Snoopy (again with his arms as the watch hands) and Woodstock the bird at the end of the seconds hand against a black face.
Speaking of hands, on this Bamford Watch Department x The Rodnik Band Snoopy customized Rolex Datejust watch, they are quite short in the scheme of proper watch dial dimensions. Having said that, they are designed to be proportional to Snoopy’s body – so it is an understandable design choice. I am pretty sure very few people are going to be inclined to get the Bamford Watch Department x The Rodnik Band Snoopy customized Rolex watch because of its tendency to be a precise horological instrument. Though, of course, it will tell the time well, given that underneath the modifications it is a Rolex watch with a Rolex automatic mechanical movement.
Interestingly, you’ll find only The Rodnik Bands’ logo on the dial of the watch. On most Bamford Watch Department timepieces, they maintain the Rolex logo and add their own over the text near the bottom of the dial. Here, we clearly have a totally custom dial including the hands, so this makes sense. The demographic of people who purchase these watches are usually less interested in luxury watches as they are “cool expensive stuff.” For example, the first Bamford Watch Department x The Rodnik Band Snoopy customized Rolex Milgauss watch was sold via the retailer Colette in Paris – which, if you understand their audience, makes perfect sense.
In addition to the customized Snoopy and Woodstock dial, Bamford customizes the case of the Rolex Datejust to give it a matte-finish versus the typically polished and brushes surfaces. This changes the character of the watch overall, but also helps the colors pop a bit more. I do appreciate how it is more than just a custom dial.
The Rodnik Band already has licensing rights to Peanuts characters and offers other Peanuts products such as clothing and accessories. The brand is a fusion of fashion and pop art/culture – created by Mr. Philip Colbert. A lot of The Rodnik Band’s stuff is really weird and something that most people wouldn’t consider buying, but the type of weird stuff that people like to look at pictures of. Think shark-themed handbag or Campbell’s tomato soup dress. George Bamford of Bamford Watch Department has a shared passion for Peanuts, and their collaborative watch products are actually among the more “normal” looking items from The Rodnik Band.
One of the funner elements of the Bamford Watch Department x The Rodnik Band Snoopy customized Rolex Datejust watch is the box, which is meant to look like a “Bamfordized” version of Snoopy’s dog house. The set also comes with a Woodstock -shaped USB memory drive. These additions are custom-made for this limited edition set.
While most traditional watch lovers will not find a huge appeal in the avant-garde nature of a customized Rolex with Snoopy on the dial… timepieces such as this are strictly for artistic types with the type of disposable income and personality to wear a comic-strip character on a modified luxury watch from what is one of the world’s most important luxury brands. This 2015 Bamford Watch Department x The Rodnik Band Snoopy Rolex Datejust watch is limited to 25 pieces with a price of ￡16,500. This time around, the watches are available exclusively from Bamford directly.
