NEW S500 RANGE Bremont revisits a classic, redesigning the S500 diver’s watch range
THE U-2/51-JET Bremont reveals a darker side with this stealthy new pilot’s watch
THE BREMONT ENDURANCE New limited edition tested on polar expedition
Bremont Unveils New 2018 Collection Bremont is thrilled to introduce a range of beautifully engineered chronometers at its Townhouse events in London and New York
BRITISH WATCH MAKING REVIVAL Find out more about Bremont’s long-staged investment in British watch making Page 21
AN ICON REDEVELOPED: THE ALT1-C Bremont has revisited the ALT1-C range; the first range ever designed Page 10
MILITARY & SPECIAL PROJECTS Discover Bremont’s latest military and special projects timepieces Page 15
SPECTRE EXPEDITION COMPLETED Bremont ambassador Leo Houlding and team complete 1,700km expedition in 50 days Page 18
coming up
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The Bremont Townhouse 2018 Bremont is thrilled to be showcasing its new watch collection in London and New York
WELCOME from nick and giles We would like to say a personal thank you for your interest in the Bremont collection, developed to meet the expectations of those who demand more from a mechanical watch. Time began for Bremont in 2002, when we embarked on a journey to make beautifully crafted watches of exceptional quality. Inspired by a love of flying historic aircraft, of watches and of all things mechanical, our timepieces had to be tested beyond the normal call of duty - and not just in the workshop. Immensely precise, reliable and durable, Bremont watches are hand built in limited numbers; we’re proud that all are now assembled in the UK. Each is designed to appeal to those who share our passion for and appreciation of the innovation and mastery behind a beautiful mechanical wristwatch. We hope you enjoy the same satisfaction when you wear a Bremont watch, as we do in creating one.
Nick & Giles English, Co-Founders
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The 2018 Bremont collection debuts at the London Townhouse event where, over the course of a week in Westminster, the brand is brought to life with the help of its esteemed Ambassadors and Partners. Most notably the Bremont Townhouse sees Polar Explorer, Ben Saunders, announce an incredibly special Limited Edition that had been designed for his recent Trans-Antarctic Solo expedition. This is an exciting development further to the success of the 2014 Limited Edition Terra Nova. After exhibiting at the Basel Watch Fair for many years, in 2017 Bremont decided to host its inaugural annual event on home turf, in the UK. Since inception in 2002, Bremont has made huge strides towards bringing watch making back to Britain and reinvigorating this once booming industry, as such it’s lovely to have set a new tradition in releasing the new collections on British shores. This year, Bremont will be holding a 4 day event at One Horse Guards. Befitting for a brand with extensive links to the military, the iconic townhouse location sits opposite the Ministry of Defence in London. In addition, 2018 sees Bremont taking its townhouse concept across the pond, bringing a touch of Britain to the US. As the US business is ever increasing it seemed only fitting to formally launch the new collection in New York as well as London.
BRINGING DOWN THE HOUSE The highlight of the 2017 Townhouse saw rock and roll icon
Ronnie Wood unveil Bremont’s B-1 Marine Clock which he had hand-painted.
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bremont 2018 collection
Introducing:
The Bremont Endurance Announcing Bremont’s latest limited edition watch, tested beyond endurance by Ben Saunders B R E M O N T.CO M / 3
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Introducing:
Bremont watches are designed to be fit-forpurpose in the most severe places on earth, they are designed to be Tested Beyond Endurance. To have the opportunity to work with record-breaking polar explorer Ben Saunders on the testing and development of a new Limited Edition watch for his latest Trans-Antarctic Solo Expedition was a natural progression further to the success of the purposebuilt Terra Nova back in 2014. Whilst the Terra Nova was designed to accompany Ben on what was set to be the longest human-powered polar journey in history, an incredible 1,800 mile trip, the new Bremont Endurance set out with Ben in November 2017 to make the first solo and unsupported crossing of Antarctica. This west-to-east traverse from Berkner Island to the Ross Ice Shelf via the South Pole and the Shackleton Glacier was planned by Ben’s close friend Lt Col Henry Worsley, who nearly completed the expedition before falling ill and passing away in hospital in Chile in January 2016. Named in honour of Shackleton’s most famous expedition - one which saw him rescue his entire crew after his ship ‘Endurance’ was crushed in the sea ice - the route of which Ben was retracing solo, the name is of course also a nod to the company maxim of being ‘Tested Beyond Endurance’. Shackleton getting his men back alive is one of the greatest stories of human endeavour and leadership, qualities Ben has certainly demonstrated over his twelve expeditions in the polar regions, having covered more than 7,000km North of the Arctic circle since 2001. Naturally, the timepiece had to be able to withstand the extreme climate conditions of the Antarctic continent, being worn on the outside of Ben’s jacket to serve as a crucial navigational device with its GMT hand. The black dial together with its robust bi-directional rotating sapphire bezel features orange compass heading markers, complementing the North indicator on the GMT hand, all designed for ease of navigation and clarity against the stark white of Antarctica. Having already tried and tested the Terra Nova walking 1,800 miles across Antarctica, Saunders was keen to be involved in as much of the design process as possible, insisting on titanium again for its obvious lightweight advantages. Knowing the level of micro engineering that goes into these mechanical machines and how beautifully finished the Bremont movements are, Ben also felt strongly that the Endurance should have an exhibition case back. To that end Bremont designed a new back, one which was robust enough to enable the watch to still reach depths of 500m and still be able to function in the rigorous climate conditions of the Antarctic plateau. The development for the thicker case back came from a military project, drawing on the experience gained from the brand’s links and work in this area. Only being made in a limited run of 300 pieces, the Endurance features new contemporary styling on the applied indexes and comes on an orange nato strap.
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Bremont Co-Founder, Giles English; “As a business we are incredibly proud of Ben, he has an unrivalled list of polar achievements and we’re privileged to have him testing new watches for us out in the field, this is what we built the business on and is very much at the core of what we’re about as a brand. We actually had 3 adventurers all on Antarctica independently at the end of 2017 and to have had them all sporting Bremont is an honour, we’re thrilled to be the polar explorers watch of choice.” Ben Saunders; “I am delighted to continue to be a Bremont brand ambassador. Bremont designed the bespoke Terra Nova watch for my 2013/2014 Scott Expedition, and I wore a prototype of the new Limited Edition Endurance during my Trans-Antarctic Solo Expedition. A reliable timepiece is a vital piece of equipment on a polar expedition, and this new watch performed faultlessly on some of the toughest conditions I’ve ever encountered.” THE TRANS-ANTARCTIC SOLO EXPEDITION 28 December 2017, Antarctica – 52 days and 1,086km into his Trans-Antarctic Solo Expedition, Ben Saunders reached the South Pole. He is the third person in history to have skied full-length expeditions to both poles solo, and the first person in the world to have skied solo, unsupported and unassisted to both poles solo.
BREMONT ENDURANCE
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a warm front Ben paid a visit to Bremont HQ before the expedition to discuss his requirements and the developments that had to be incorporated into the Endurance.
Throughout the expedition, Saunders faced unrelenting sastrugi – hard packed wind-blown formations of snow and ice, which are usually ankle to knee height but on this expedition have reached shoulder level and higher – and endured almost continuous white out conditions, meaning navigation was a constant challenge. Saunders commented, ‘the physical exertion has felt more like a North Pole expedition, the conditions have left me depleted physically and mentally. I am 52 days into the expedition, and my Scott expedition in 2013 / 2014 saw us sled hauling for 105 days on the ice. I have never seen conditions like this in Antarctica’. Having expected to reach the South Pole with 20 days of food remaining to see him through the final 576km of the journey, which he expected to take a minimum of 17 days, Saunders was left with only 13 days of food due to the ferocious conditions he faced, which drastically hampered progress. Taking on more food at the Pole would have rendered his unsupported record attempt a failure and continuing with depleted rations would have meant banking on near perfect conditions and unhampered skiing. There are also sections of the final glacier where air rescue was impossible due to the nature of the terrain. ‘I made a promise to Henry to get home in one piece. As much as I am determined to finish this trip for him, I need to make my decision based on safety and not let my own determination cloud my judgement. There is a very fine line between success and failure in extreme environments’.
‘I don’t think Henry would be telling me to go for it given my concerns about the diminished safety margin. It feels like the most respectful thing I can do after Henry’s fate is to be prudent and safe. I’ve been in this position before on my Scott expedition, gambling on leaving the Pole with less food than I’d planned. It resulted in us getting into serious trouble - Tarka and I were forced to halve our rations for a few days to try to make our first depot, the weather turned bad, we both became exhausted and hypothermic, I therefore have very little inclination to gamble on setting off from the Pole again without sufficient food’. Having reached the South Pole at 1600 on 28 December, and with 13 days of food left, Saunders decided to halt his expedition. In reaching the South Pole Saunders became the third person in history to have completed full length solo ski expeditions to both the North and the South Poles. He is the only Briton to have ever done so. Ben is proud to be supporting The Endeavour Fund, part of The Royal Foundation of The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry, which supports wounded, injured and sick veterans through providing opportunities in sport and adventurous challenge. Ben is dedicated to continuing the efforts of Henry Worsley, who was raising funds for the Endeavour Fund when he died in Antarctica. Henry’s legacy raised over £500,000 for the charity, and Ben is determined to continue this fundraising in memory of him.
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BREMONT S500
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Introducing:
S500
Bremont revisits an old classic: New diving models added to S500 line. The first diving watch Bremont ever produced was the 43mm Supermarine 500 which was introduced back in 2009. Co-Founders Nick and Giles English had wanted to build a robust but beautifully engineered diving watch that was very practical in design, but also tied into the brand’s strong aviation heritage. The watch had to also hold its own against any other mechanical professional diving watch in terms of engineering, design and price point. The range was named as a tribute to the brothers’ love of the iconic British aircraft manufacturer responsible for the Supermarine S6B Schneider Trophy Seaplane and of course the incredible Supermarine Spitfire. One new entrant to the range is the Supermarine S501 which has drawn direct inspiration from the S301 released in 2017. The more vintage feel was a big differentiator within this series and has proved incredibly popular since its launch. Translating some of those design cues into the slightly bigger size was a natural development. Once again, the black dial is accented by coloured applied indexes which use the company’s iconic ‘P-51’ Super-LumiNova®, the new look unidirectional ceramic rotating bezel has also been carried on along with the band of copper around the crown to set off the indexes. A knurled effect on the dial has been incorporated for the first time, an effect also seen on the middle barrel of the MB range, which adds certain depth to the face of the watch. Bremont has used an exhibition case back with this model, another first for the Supermarine range, enabling the beautifully finished and decorated movement to be showcased. Much of the development for the thicker crystal case back came from a military project, something that was critical to ensure the watch could still reach depths of 500m. Additionally, Bremont is releasing two new variants of the S500, the S500/BL and the S500/BK. Both models are an evolution of the original S500 line-up. Whilst the S500/BL no longer has a solid 20 minute marker on its sapphire bezel, the day date window has been kept from the original design. The blue dial has been updated to match the same pantone as the S300 Blue and the applied indexes are filled with C3 lume. The S500/BK draws on some of the design elements from the more technical S2000 model, its black dial is framed by a new unidirectional ceramic bezel insert. Still very much aviation inspired, the closed case backs of both models feature an engraving of the Supermarine Seaplane, something that has become somewhat of a trademark of this range, and subtly highlighting the connection between sea and air.
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Nick English, Bremont Co-Founder; “Having introduced, and seen such a positive response to the new S300 range last year we felt it was time to revisit our original diver’s watch. We have always believed this line to be a huge amount of watch for the price point with the innovative ‘anti-shock’ technology it houses, which can also be found in the MB range, from the movement suspension mount to the anti-magnetic faraday cage in the models with closed case backs. The Supermarine has become a bit of an explorers watch of choice due to the watch being immensely durable. We have elite military forces both in the UK and US wearing the Supermarine line, and some inspirational ex-military like the Row2Recovery duo who have just smashed the world record for the fastest row across the Atlantic. We’re incredibly proud to have created a product which military and dive professionals alike can rely on.” Inspired by Bremont’s core principles, these specialised 43mm dive watches are all built to chronometer specification and are certified to 500m. Over-engineered in all respects, the design of the Supermarine has been built using Bremont’s unique Trip-Tick® three-piece case construction and features the distinctive off-set crown with crown protector on the side of the inner barrel.
A WATCH THAT TELLS A STORY The range was named as a tribute to the brothers’ love of the iconic British aircraft; the Supermarine S6B Schneider Trophy Seaplane, which features on the case back of the S500/BK and S500/BL.
S 50 0/ BL
S 50 0/ BK
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BREMONT S500
Photo: Gishani Ratnayake
PRESSURE TEST Timing is everything for a diver. Whether you dive for pleasure or your livelihood, you need to know your watch won’t let you down. The Bremont S500 has been tested at 500 metres and further, and is trusted by professionals, including the military.
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BREMONT AIRCO
Introducing:
AIRCO
Bremont celebrates the history of military aviation with new additions to the classic AIRCO collection Following the successful launch of the AIRCO range in 2017, Bremont releases three new additions to the line including the introduction of a MACH 3 model. The brand has seen huge success in producing the 40mm AIRCO watches which has undoubtedly appealed to customers wanting something more compact. Named after the ‘Aircraft Manufacturing Company Limited’, one of the first British military aircraft manufacturers, the AIRCO collection signalled the first time Bremont produced a slightly smaller watch geared towards men. Harking back to the older classic pilot’s watches in terms of design, and with 2018 marking 100 years of British military aviation, it seemed fitting to extend the range with the addition of the new AIRCO MACH 3 which features the signature military RAF blue on the dial. The watch comes in a satin case finish, the dial bears applied baton index markers inlaid with SuperLumiNova® and the red tip of the seconds hand makes for a smart contrast against the blue dial. Bremont Co-Founder, Giles English; “Nick and I have always loved our blue dialled watches which have proved rather popular within other ranges over the years. This particular pantone not only looks handsome on the dial but we love the subtle nod to 100 years of British military aviation which is at the heart of what inspired the AIRCO line. These timepieces are designed to be understated classics that can really stand the test of time.” A natural extension to the range for 2018 also sees the MACH 1 and MACH 2 available in white dial variants. Similar in design to its dark-dialled counterpart, the MACH 1 with satin steel case now boasts a red second hand presenting a distinctive contrast against the white dial. The design has quite a military feel to it, particularly with the vintage C3 lume on the numerals and teamed with a brown vintage leather strap. The AIRCO MACH 2, featuring a polished stainless steel case and white dial set with applied indexes, remains very classic in style and will sit beautifully alongside the anthracite dial Bremont released in 2017. This was a design, inspired by what would have been more of an officer’s dress watch, that very much responded to a demand for a smarter model that could easily fit under the cuff.
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BREMONT AIRCO
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A IRCO M AC H 3 / BL
A IRCO MAC H 2/ WH
AIRCO MAC H 1 / WH
Bremont Co-Founder, Nick English; “Having focused on 43mm watches for many years, the introduction of the AIRCO range last year was really the first deviation from this in terms of the men’s range. We felt it was important to diversify the Bremont offering, adding something a little more compact. Both Giles and I have been surprised by how different it feels on by comparison with the 43mm cases. It’s certainly a very comfortable everyday watch. We’ve been encouraged to see how well the watch has been received since launch, appealing perhaps to a slightly different demographic.” As with all Bremont timepieces, the AIRCO range is constructed using Bremont’s technical three piece ‘Trip-Tick®’ cases which are produced at the company’s facilities in the UK, housing the smaller but beautifully finished chronometer rated BE-92AE movement.
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B R E M O N T A LT 1 - C
Introducing:
ALT1-C Bremont redevelops an icon: Introducing new designs to the original ALT1-C range.
Not only was the original ALT1-C the first Bremont ever designed, but it has become an iconic part of the Bremont line-up and has been a bestseller for the brand since launch back in 2007. Over the years the ALT1-C collection has been extended with some slightly dressier polished variants on the original design whilst the satin finish hasn’t been altered in 11 years, until now. Bringing together the art of watch making with the very best of technical innovation, precision and durability, the ALT1-C is a timeless classic. New applied indexes replace Arabic numerals creating a more minimalist and contemporary feel to the 2018 ALT1-C/BL and ALT1-C/WH-BK models providing a contrast to the existing core range. The satin case features an enlarged exhibition case back for better visibility of the beautifully finished BE50AE chronometer-rated movement with 42 hour power reserve. More elegant and contemporary hands inlaid with Super-LumiNova®, previously only seen within the ALT1-C Polished watches, adorn these new classics. With 2018 marking 100 years of British military aviation, the ALT1-C Blue has been redesigned in the signature blue synonymous with the RAF. The understated blue pantone works well with a blue nubuck strap and celebrates this landmark year, befitting for a brand steeped in aviation heritage. The panda dial design of the ALT1-C White featuring black subdials and incorporating a subtle internal black bezel is a nice counterpart to the heritage themed ALT1-C/CR. Bremont Co-Founder, Giles English; “The ALT1-C is a watch very close to our hearts. Nick and I spent far longer designing this watch than any other as it was to define the brand aesthetic back in the early days. Despite its success we felt it was time to breathe some new life into the range, perhaps broadening its appeal further with a slightly refined dial design and offering some different colour options. We feel these new models retain the core values of the collection but offer something fresh. The new panda dial has a more vintage feel to it whilst the allure of the RAF blue makes the ALT1-C/BL a rather special aviation timepiece.”
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B R E M O N T A LT 1 - C
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ALT1 -C / WH-BK
A LT 1 - C/ B L
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bremont u - 2 / 5 1 - jet
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Introducing:
U-2/ 51-JET
Bremont reveals a darker side with the introduction of the ‘U-2/51-JET’ Based on the design of the U-2 range which was originally developed for and inspired by a select number of elite military squadrons, 2018 sees the launch of the Bremont U-2/51-JET. The new timepiece incorporates a striking combination of the brand’s trademark vintage ‘51’ lume, originally found on the Limited Edition P-51, together with heat treated steel blued hands. As well as drawing inspiration from some of the past U-2 models, the U-2/51-JET adds a new dimension to the range taking fresh design cues from a military project commissioned by the RAF’s 100 Squadron to celebrate their centenary and complement their Hawk T1 Jet aircraft. The 100 Squadron was the first squadron formed for night bombing back in 1917 and its stealthy appearance led to the introduction of a new case and middle barrel colour for this watch, aptly named ‘Jet’. Turning the watch over reveals an exhibition case back showing the beautiful automatic movement through tinted black smoked glass. Nick English, Bremont Co-Founder; “Our military projects continue to be an amazing test bed for new design features and the work we did for the Hawk T1 Fighter Squadron is a prime example of this. The jet black that is synonymous with them was a key focus to translate into the watch design; to that end we developed a new type of anodization which helped us achieve a much deeper black on the aluminium barrel. If you compare this to the U-2 DLC for instance you can really see the difference. The colour contrast between the jet black, vintage lume and blue hands makes for arguably our stealthiest watch to date.” By changing the radiuses on the traditional U-2 case, the U-2/51-JET is tougher and more hard wearing than ever. The extensive testing history behind this range and its proven military credibility, having been put through its paces on missions flying at 80,000 ft for over 12 hour stints and tested to temperatures as low as -50 degrees, makes this an incredibly durable pilot’s watch. Equally this timepiece incorporates some advanced technology including Bremont’s renowned antishock rubberised movement mount, designed to withstand the MB ejection seat programme, and Roto-Click® technology on the bidirectional rotating inner bezel which measures 60 minutes.
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IN FLIGHT The U-2/51-JET takes design cues from a military project commissioned by the RAF’s 100 Squadron and their Hawk T1 Jet aircraft.
B remont and mr porter
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Five Questions with Toby Bateman, Managing Director of Mr Porter What was your decision to stock watches on Mr Porter? ‘Purely from a business perspective, and it seemed like there was a gap in the market too, because we could see that men were willing to spend on luxury clothing online at MR PORTER, so then logically why wouldn’t they also be happy to spend on a fine watch too…’ O F F I C I N E G ENERA LE F IELD JACKET
What made Bremont a great fit to come on board as the first watch brand? ‘As an independent business, Bremont was free to break the rules that were universally applied within the watch industry at the time, which was “no to online.”’ What are your style tips for the season ahead? ‘Workwear continues to be a trend in menswear, allowing a man to be both smart and practical as he goes throughout his day, with brands such as Officine Generale, Junya Watanabe, and our own
brand Mr P. paving the way. But no matter what the season, you can never beat a well-fitted suit. I would generally advise buying a suit you can wear just as well with a t-shirt and trainers as you can with a shirt. Prada and Boglioli both certainly have these bases covered.’ What Bremont timepieces would you style with these looks? Workwear: ‘I would couple the Bremont Supermarine Type 301 with a Workwear outfit, as the utilitarian aesthetics of the Supermarine, especially the brown leather strap and hardy stainless steel case, work perfectly.’ Suit: ‘The Bremont U-2 in Blue is a nice addition to wear with any suit - the distractive blue dial and strap brings a contemporary look, perfect when wearing a lightweight suit with a white t-shirt.’ What is your favourite Bremont watch? ‘Bremont U-2 in Blue and Supermarine S500.’
P RA DA MIDNIG HT B LUE SUIT
S301 The 40mm diving watch was released in 2017 as a response to a demand for a professional dive watch in a slightly smaller iteration.
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If it can survive being ejected from a plane, it can survive near enough anything. Should you treat your Bremont MB watch with respect? Not really. We don’t. We freeze it, we bake it, and we shake it. For hours on end. Then we shoot it out of a plane. Just to make sure it’s as tough as we claim it is. What’s more, it has been assembled and tested at our headquarters in Henley-on-Thames. So don’t worry about looking after a Bremont MB. It can look after itself.
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News from the world of Bremont
Briefing:
F- 1 4 TOMCAT
military & special projects Bremont has built very close working relationships with military organisations around the world. As a result, we develop exclusive bespoke mechanical chronometers that pay tribute to individual units and their unique missions. It allows us to do something unlike any other luxury watch company: create mechanical watches that not only reflect our values, but also incorporate the 'DNA' of our military customers’ professions, aircraft and equipment. If sensibly maintained, a mechanical watch should last forever - unlike battery alternatives. So a quality watch is more than simply a timepiece, it is an heirloom to be passed down through the generations. Bremont’s passion for crafting beautifully engineered chronometers is shared by many of our military clients. We go to extraordinary levels to produce unique timepieces for air force, navy and army units around the world, far surpassing any other brand. For more information head online to Bremont.com/military
@BREMONTMILITARY Share your best Bremont wrist shots with us #BremontMilitary
ROYA L TA N K REGIMEN T
B RIT I SH F ORCE S WIL DCAT
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1 0 0 years o f the ra f
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Flying Legends Airshow The Flying Legends Airshow, produced by The Fighter Collection, combines flying displays of remarkable historic aircraft with engaging nostalgic activities to create an authentic 1940s atmosphere at IWM Duxford’s wartime airfield. Bremont is a proud sponsor of the flight lounge and will be showcasing its collection of aviatior’s watches at this years event taking place on the 14th–15th July. Duxford is the home of Bremont’s partner The Aircraft Restoration Company who has restored some iconic and historically significant aircraft such as the Bristol Blenheim, Hawker Hurricane, P-51 Mustang and Supermarine Spitfires. The organisation’s Director and Bremont Ambassador, John Romain, flew some of these aircraft in the 2017 Blockbuster film ‘Dunkirk’. This included the MKI Spitfire, Messerschmitt 109 and the only flying Blenheim MKI left in the world. ARC is also home to the Supermarine Spitfire MKI N3200 of which parts are contained in the Bremont 1918 Limited Edition.
Celebrating 100 Years of British Military Aviation The 1st of April 2018 marks an important milestone in British military and aviation history when the Royal Air Force celebrates its centenary year. Globally respected and steeped in tradition, this venerable institution provides aerial protection for the United Kingdom and her interests. In 2017 Bremont commemorated the centenary with a limited edition timepiece; the Bremont 1918. A Bristol Blenheim, a Supermarine Spitfire and a Hawker Hurricane which all flew during the summer
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of 1940 are incorporated into this remarkable timepiece. Each of these Battle of Britain aircraft forms a propeller blade in the rotor and are complemented by a veneer of original wood from the Shuttleworth Collection’s 1917 SE5a which can be found at its centre. A percentage of proceeds from the sale of the 1918 will go to the Royal Air Forces Association (RAFA), which has supported current and former RAF personnel for almost 90 years.
on the road
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Timing on the Thames
BREMONT events
2017 marked the first time in 178 years that renowned British event, Henley Royal Regatta, partnered with a small number of luxury brands. British Watch Company Bremont is proud to have been the first Official Timekeeper in the Regatta’s established history. The event attracts thousands of visitors over five days and spectators enjoy over 200 races of an international standard, including Olympians and crews new to the event. This year, Henley Royal Regatta will take place from 4th – 8th July and Bremont will again be exhibiting its collection of timepieces a stonesthrow from it’s headquarters. Henley Royal Regatta was first held on the River Thames in 1839 and has been annual ever since. Originally staged by the Mayor and the people of Henley as a public attraction with a fair and other amusements, the emphasis rapidly changed so that competitive amateur rowing became its main purpose. Today it has an unparalleled tradition and place in the hearts of top rowers around the world. To see how 2017’s event unfolded and for more information visit: Bremont.com/Henley-Regatta
The English Tour: West Coast Following on from the success of the ‘English Tour’ in 2017 Bremont Co-Founders Nick and Giles English will be embarking on another tour across the West Coast of America. The tour will take place in June 2018 with the route to be announced soon.
Authorised dealer events We regularly hold joint events with our authorised dealers. To find out if there’s an upcoming event near you or to register for event updates please email: events@bremont.com
In celebration of all things British, Bremont CoFounders Nick and Giles English will drive a 1970 Series II E-Type Jaguar, restored by their late father, and Giles’ 1973 Porsche 911T through the USA. With a combined age of nearly 90 years between the cars, the brothers will have to keep their mechanical wits about them to keep them moving in the right direction. A journey about mechanical machines, adventure, people and the Best of British, Nick and Giles will host a series of events along the way. Stopping at some of Bremont’s Authorised Dealers, watch clubs and iconic landmarks, the brothers will immerse themselves in the culture of each US state they pass through. To stay up to date and be part of the tour, visit Bremont.com/EnglishTour
Once a month Bremont hosts an Adventurers Club event at some of its Boutiques. This is an evening where a Bremont Ambassador or friend of the brand will share tales of adventure, exploration, inspiration or innovation and invites the audience to ask questions. If you would like to be invited to future events at any of our Boutiques, please email: events@bremont.com
Briefing:
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time f or adventure
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A New World Record
SPECTRE EXPEDITION COMPLETED
Congratulations to friends of the brand, Row2Recovery, who crossed the finish line in first place in the pairs category of the 2017 Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge. Wearing their Bremont S500s, Captain Jon Armstrong and Lance Corporal Jordan Beecher set a new World Record as the fastest pair to cross the Atlantic Ocean. They rowed across the Atlantic in 37 days, 8 hours and 8 minutes, beating the previous record by 3 days! Jordan and Jonathan both served in the Parachute Regiment and in 2007 were deployed to Afghanistan as part of the Special Forces Support Group. Jonathan went on to take a commission in the Royal Gurkha Rifles and Jordan returned to Afghanistan. Sadly in 2013 Jordan triggered an IED, which claimed his left leg. He has used rowing as a way to recover, both mentally and physically, and has represented Great Britain at the Invictus Games, winning four gold medals. Together, they are the Row2Recovery team and the first pair with an amputee to compete in the race.
Bremont Ambassador Leo Houlding and his teammates Jean Burgun and Mark Sedon have successfully completed their Spectre expedition, reaching Union Glacier after 50 days. Leo, Jean and Mark safely reached Union Glacier, completing their journey of 1700km over 50 days unsupported with 31 separate camps. During their time in the Antarctic, the three adventurers have man-hauled and snowkited with loads of up to 200kg, spent days confined to their tent during raging storms, had close shaves with deep crevasses, spent Christmas and New Year thousands of miles from family and friends, and witnessed incredible solar phenomena. They also all succeeded in reaching the summit of the most remote mountain on Earth, the Spectre, by a partly new route on its north face. THE MISSION Leo and his team embarked on an expedition aiming to utilise modern polar knowledge and techniques that enable low impact, long distance travel at high speed to access and explore a region previously beyond the reach of independent expeditions, the most remote mountains on Earth; the Spectre in the Gothic Range of the Transantarctic Mountains. A complete, unsupported traverse of the Antarctic continent was undertaken assisted by kite by the 3-man international team.
Briefing:
#bremontspotted An array of people in the public eye have been seen wearing Bremont watches over the last few years, here are a few of our recent favourites
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our charity partners
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Bremont proudly SupportS UK team for Invictus Games Bremont is immensely proud to be an official supporter of the UK Team for the Invictus Games. We marked the partnership by creating bespoke Bremont bracelets for each of the 90-strong team and have now created a collector’s edition, with all proceeds going to support the UK Team via Help for Heroes. There are still some available to purchase via shop.bremont.com while stocks last. Bremont is fortunate to have had the opportunity to work extensively with the military, designing and
manufacturing watches for squadrons all over the world. The opportunity to honour those who have served our country in this way is something we are very proud to do. This year, the games are to be held in Sydney, Australia from 20th – 27th October, where over 500 athletes from 18 nations will compete. The UK team came away with 87 medals from the 2017 games in Toronto, including 24 golds. Visit Bremont.com/Invictus to find out more.
Fitzdares Fighting Futures Bremont was proud to support Fitzdares, the bookmakers, in its ambitious grassroots initiative ‘Fighting Futures’ to unearth and celebrate the amateur boxing stars of tomorrow. The inaugural event, hosted at The Ned, showcased prospective 2020 Olympians, talented up-and-coming fighters from historic North and South London gyms: Fitzroy Lodge, Finchley ABC, Dale Youth, Lynn Boxing Club and Lewsey Boxing Club. These amateur clubs have nurtured the likes of Anthony Joshua, David Haye, George Groves and James DeGale – professionals that the evening’s fighters were looking to follow in the footsteps of. Prior to the event, the boxing enthusiasts at Fitzdares spent six month in the gyms, scouting and working with veteran coaches to uncover the country’s most promising future champions. The revenue from the professional game rarely trickles down to these amateur clubs, who have to raise their own funds to keep their doors open. All fighters at the event fought on behalf of their gym to earn a share of the purse, with the money being invested in new equipment, in turn helping to bring on the next generation of talent to grace the canvas. The explosive Tosin Olaekan, fighting out of Fitzroy Lodge, was awarded boxer of the night after defeating his opponent with style and power in equal measure. Bremont was the official time keeper for the 3x3 minute rounds. It was a pleasure to back an event which will have a real impact at grassroots level for many years to come, not to mention in local London communities.
#mybremont Share your best #MyBremont shots with us to feature on our Instagram page BremontWatches
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bremont boutiques
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Briefing:
Where to find us Get the full Bremont experience – drop into one of our boutiques and check out the full range In 2012 Bremont opened its very first flagship store in the heart of Mayfair, London’s luxury quarter. It was awarded ‘Store Design of the Year’ at the prestigious UK Retail Jewellery Awards. Since then, Bremont has opened three additional boutiques. Simply book an appointment or stop by to chat with our friendly staff and discover our collection of watches and accessories.
C AN ' T G E T TO A B R E MO N T BO U TI QU E ? Bremont also works with carefully selected Authorised Dealers across the globe. To find out where your nearest one is, use our store finder online: BREMONT.COM/NEAREST-STORES
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Mayfair Boutique 29 South Audley St, London W1K 2PE Tel: +44 (0) 207 493 5150 Email: southaudley@bremont.com
New York Boutique 501 Madison Avenue, New York NY 10022 Tel: +1 212 321 0012 Email: madison501@bremont.com
City of London Boutique Royal Exchange, London EC3V 3LQ Tel: +44 (0) 207 220 7134 Email: royalexchange@bremont.com
Hong Kong Boutique 1 Lyndhurst Terrace, Central, Hong Kong Tel: 852 2395 0628 Email: hongkong@bremont.com
inside bremont
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BREMONT’S WORLD
01. British Engineering Great Britain has a wonderful history when it comes to watch making and has probably been the home to more advances in horology than any other nation. Bremont is determined to play a pivotal role in the reinvigoration of this industry on British shores. Bremont builds many of its own watch components at its state-of-the-art parts manufacturing facility in Ruscombe, near Henley. As a company we verge on the obsessive in the desire to produce watches that are over-engineered for the task in hand. This passion becomes very evident when you hold a Bremont watch.
investing in british watch making Bremont is excited to be at the heart of a British revival in watch making. Our goal has always been to bring back as much of the process to the UK as possible and our watches are all designed, manufactured and assembled in England. Our British watch making facility is located in Henley-on-Thames, South Oxfordshire. A beautiful oak-framed building in the heart of the Chiltern Valley, it has been custom built for watch manufacture. Our long-term staged investment programme is aimed at developing watch making expertise in the UK. All of our key movement and case components are assembled and finished in Henley. Bremont is making considerable investment in its UK watch making and manufacturing and in
02. Aviation And Military The love and passion for aviation has coursed through the founders' veins from very early in their childhoods. There has always been a very close association between time and aviation since the first brave adventurers took to the skies over 100 years ago. The love of aviation and its uncompromising demands are both inherent in every Bremont watch. Hand-in-hand with Bremont's love of aviation is the company's appreciation of military. Bremont has worked closely with the military for a number of years.
03. Adventure A key design requisite for the timepieces from the outset was the desire to make beautifully robust and durable watches that were at home both in the workplace, and of course in rather more physical environments. The watches continue to be tested to the limits, both in the workshop but also by Bremont’s ambassadors and partners.
2014 launched a new facility to produce case and movement components. This has seen Bremont invest in some state-of-the-art CNC mill-turning, metal cutting and finishing machinery, some of which are the first of their kind in this country. This investment will enable Bremont to manufacture significant quantities of beautifully engineered and finished watch parts on British shores. Alongside Bremont’s Henley based watch assembly facility, Bremont’s Parts Manufacturing Facility offers the best foundation for growth. Bremont is also incredibly proud to support The British School of Watch making and the BHI (British Horological Institute) providing education with the aim of securing the future of the UK watch making market. Discover more online at Bremont.com
Clockwise from top left: All Bremont watches are manufactured and assembled at our workshops in the UK; Bremont owns its own ultra-precise turn and mill machining facility, used to manufacture cases and other parts; Bremont’s cases are polished by hand following the CNC mill-turning process; all Bremont watches feature automatic movements, and almost every watch in Bremont’s core range is COSC certified. The watches are all assembled and tested at Bremont HQ in Henley-on-Thames.
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THE BREMONT BRIEFING
Engineering by bremont
Technology:
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2 Bremont Anti-Shock Designed by Bremont initially for the MB range of watches, our unique rubberised movement mount encloses the inner workings. A flexible ring then connects the mount to the outer case, absorbing shocks and allowing the inner case and movement to float. 3
The Mechanical Watch Bremont is built on precise timekeeping. Only the highest quality components are used in our movements. Every watch in our core range is chronometer-tested, then further subjected to a rigorous quality control programme. The results are all documented in detailed records securely stored at our headquarters. The only exceptions are some of our limited edition pieces, for which a stringent testing programme is well inside the C.O.S.C parameters. Every watch in our core collection is accompanied by a performance certificate issued by the ‘Contrôle Officiel Suisse des Chronomètres’ (C.O.S.C). The certificate confirms that the mechanical movement has passed each of the rigorous precision tests necessary for the chronometer designation. Watches are the most precise mechanical devices on the planet. Bremont aims to keep it that way. Our watches are subjected to rigorous testing procedures. For example, chronometer certifications take 15 days to complete over several different temperature ranges and watch positions. The average daily variation rate must be between -4 and +6 seconds. With 86,400 seconds in a single day, it means every single Bremont watch is 99.998% accurate. The BWC/01 movement, pictured here within the Jaguar MKI, has been part-developed and designed in Britain with our Swiss partners. A number of the key constituent movement parts are also manufactured at the company’s workshops in the UK, which is the first step for Bremont towards manufacturing movements in their entirety on these shores.
Bremont Roto-Click® Many Bremont watches have been designed from a clean sheet of paper. New bezel technology designed and built in-house is now integrated into a number of models such as the MB. The bezel rotates while gliding on a series of four ball bearings. These bearings knit into the gearing of the bezel to produce a most satisfying click for every minute rotated.
Anti-Magnetic Faraday Cage A number of Bremont models are designed to withstand the detrimental effects of magnetism on a watch’s movement. With a limited amount of space available, this is achieved by encasing the movement in a soft-iron Faraday cage. Any potentially harmful magnetic fields are then routed around the movement.
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These features apply to some models only
BREMONT’S TRIP-TICK® CASE CONSTRUCTION All Bremont watch cases use Bremont Trip-Tick® construction consisting of three parts:
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1 The hardened steel bezel element, containing the sapphire crystal. 2 The central body section, consisting of a titanium or DLC treated middle barrel. 3 The steel and crystal case back. The separate middle section offers flexibility in both durability and design. It allows us to manufacture cases from different metals, such as titanium, to alter the watch’s weight. DLC, meanwhile, adds to the variety by using contrasting colours to distinguish between models.
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beyond endurance
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BREMONT TESTING Testing. It’s something of an obsession. Our first five years were devoted to it, both in the workshop and in the field. Watch parts are continually tested for tolerances, strength, hardness and finish. In fact, every single component undergoes the most rigorous quality controls and it doesn’t stop there. Each movement in our core range is independently chronometer-tested over 15 days. Once assembled in their hardened cases, the movements are then checked and tested again before being regulated by the watch makers. The watches then enter a further testing programme involving mechanical and visual inspections. Finally, chronometers are assessed for accuracy, functionality, automatic winding and water resistance. So yes, testing is an obsession. But one that results in every timepiece leaving our workshop with a 3-year warranty. Our intention from the outset was always to design and manufacture a mechanical watch in the UK. The watch would be designed around the principles of engineering and not fashion. It would look as visually arresting in decades to come as on the day it left the workshop. And it would be equally at home in the boardroom as above the clouds or below the sea. Bremont watches have been tested beyond endurance by explorers, adventurers, extreme divers and the military. Now, it’s your turn.
BREMONT FEATURES
Bremont Sapphire Watch Crystals Our convex sapphire crystals come with a Mohs hardness rating of 9. That’s also the equivalent to 2000Hv on the Vickers scale. Untreated crystals can allow light to reflect back, significantly affecting the legibility of the dial. So anti-reflective coatings are vapour-deposited to both sides of the glass in a vacuum environment, reducing reflections to less than 0.5% for optimum legibility.
Helium Escape Valve The Bremont Supermarine range features a helium escape valve. This spring-loaded single-direction valve is activated when the differential between the inner and outer pressure reaches a critical level. This results in the release of the gases trapped in the watch case. Watches with helium escape valves are pressure tested at our workshop.
Super-LumiNova® Bremont carefully applies as many as 15 to 20 coats of Super-LumiNova® paint to a range of dials in our collection. It ensures optimal visibility in the poorest of lighting conditions.
Bremont B-EBE2000 Watch Case Treatment Bremont watches, including our polished models, are treated for hardness with B-EBE2000 technology. During this special stage in the case production the metal is heat-treated and defused with carbon, then bombarded with electrons. The process dramatically increases the hardness and scratch resistance of the stainless steel. On the Vickers scale of hardness, for example, B-EBE2000 produces a watch case with a value of 2000Hv approximately seven times that of the normal stainless steel used for watch cases.
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