B R I EFI N G SU M M ER 2018
NEW S500 RANGE Bremont revisits a classic, redesigning the S500 diver’s watch range
NEW ALT1-C Bremont adds two new models to its Classic range of timepieces
THE U-2/51-JET Bremont reveals a darker side with this stealthy new pilot’s watch
THE BREMONT WATERMAN Discover Bremont’s latest limited edition technical diving timepiece, tested by real life waterman and ambassador Mark Healey.
SEAN CONWAY SETS WORLD RECORD Read more about Sean’s unsupported crossing of Europe by bicycle Page 7
RETURN TO THE SAVAGE MOUNTAIN Find out more about Jake Meyer’s third attempt at climbing K2 Page 11
TIMING ON THE THAMES Bremont is the Official Timekeeper to Henley Royal Regatta this year Page 12
BRITISH MANUFACTURING Hear from Bremont’s Manufacturing Manager Tim Parker on British manufacturing Page 21
WELCOME
BREMONT BRIEFING SUMMER 2018
BREMONT HOSTS BRUNCH FOR THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE UK TEAM FOR THE INVICTUS GAMES 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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As an official supporter of the UK Team for the Invictus Games, Bremont was thrilled to host a brunch for the announcement of the 2018 team who will compete in Sydney this October. Hosted by Invictus Games medallist JJ Chalmers, the brunch presented an array of inspirational speakers from former captains to our very own Nick English. This year’s captain Mark ‘Dot’ Perkins told his story of how helping to rehabilitate soldiers who went on to take part in the Games inspired him to apply and he delivered a heartfelt message to his fellow athletes: “Elite sport is where heroes are made but the Invictus Games is where heroes come to compete. A hero is someone who finds strength to persevere despite overwhelming obstacles. United with these obstacles, the Invictus Games empowers us to be the best we can be.” Former captains Dave Henson, David Wiseman and Bernie Broad also joined a panel to discuss the legacy of the Games and talk about how they have helped to motivate and empower them to have a second chance at life beyond their recovery. During the announcement at the Guildhall, London, each member of the UK Team was presented with a bespoke, engraved Bremont bracelet, presented by CoFounders Nick & Giles English. Having worked extensively with the military around the world, the opportunity to honour those who have served our country in this way is something we are very proud to do. The team of 72 wounded, injured and sick serving military personnel and veterans will be competing in 11 sports in Sydney: Archery, Athletics, Indoor Rowing, Jaguar Land Rover Challenge, Powerlifting, Road Cycling, Sailing, Sitting Volleyball, Swimming, Wheelchair Basketball and Wheelchair Rugby.
OUR WOUNDED WARRIORS Bremont was extremely proud to present each of the UK Team for
the 2018 Invictus Games with a personalised bracelet at the launch brunch in London.
SHOW YOUR SUPPORT
You can show your support to the team with a Bremont Invictus Games UK Team Supporter’s bracelet, available online or from a Bremont Boutique, from which all profits will go to Help For Heroes. Visit www.bremont.com/invictus to show your support. Bracelets available while stocks last.
BREMONT BRIEFING SUMMER 2018
bremont 2018 collection
Introducing:
The Bremont WATERMAN Bremont adds a striking and remarkably technical dive watch to its collection. The Limited Edition ‘Bremont Waterman’ tested by ambassador Mark Healey. B R E M O N T.CO M / 3
B R E M O N T WAT E R M A N
BREMONT BRIEFING SUMMER 2018
“When you’re operating underwater on just a breath of air, timing is everything. Timing is life. You are counting down the seconds that you will remain conscious.”
Introducing:
Bremont adds a striking and remarkably technical dive watch to its collection, the Limited Edition ‘Bremont Waterman’. The mechanical chronometer follows an impressive line of marine predecessors which have built a reputation for durability and precision within the range. Bremont has worked closely with the world renowned freediver, adventurer, big-wave surfer and ocean environmentalist, Mark Healey, in testing this new timepiece. Crucially, Healey has helped the brand test the new Supermarine 500 sapphire crystal case back technology. Limited to 300 pieces, the beautifully engineered new Bremont Waterman incorporates a GMT hand and features deep-blue applied indexes on the dial. An extension, but modification to the Supermarine range, the Bremont Waterman uses the core S500 watch architecture as chosen by multiple military units and explorers all over the world. The open sapphire backed 500m water resistant case, helium release valve, anti-shock vibration mount and scratch resistant sapphire uni-directional bezel make it a watch that can be tested to extremes. Nick English, Co-Founder of Bremont: “We have a reputation for making incredibly tough and functional dive watches which are all tested intensively by the military and explorers alike; the Bremont Waterman is no exception. Not only is this new timepiece truly over-engineered which I love, but it has also been a real joy working with Mark. There is no one who respects the strength, beauty and fragility of the oceans more than him, he really is a waterman in every sense of the word. We are honoured to be working with an adventurer who is so driven by perfection, the ocean environment and who is totally uncompromising when it comes to his equipment. Mark has been testing the Bremont Waterman down to depths of 50m, whilst holding his breath for minutes at a time, and equally whilst riding the likes of Jaws, one of the biggest waves in the world.” While Healey encountered his share of close calls, from shark attacks to blackouts, he thrives on the elements of danger inherent in his work. “Anytime you step into the ocean, you’re in an environment that’s completely uncontrolled by humans,” he says. “Everyone needs to connect with that sort of wilderness in some way, especially in a time when there’s so much noise and distraction in our daily lives.” To that end, one of Healey’s main ambitions is to use film, photography, and hands-on education to deepen our relationship with the ocean. “I absolutely believe that people will only protect something if they value it, and it’s my life’s mission to inspire others to value the ocean the way I do,” says Healey, who once aspired to be a marine biologist and absorbed himself in malacology (the study of mollusk shells) as a preteen.
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Healey continues; “I really identify with Bremont’s commitment to design, function and durability. This piece is just as at home four atmospheres under the sea as it is at a black-tie affair. A well-made timepiece is the only thing that stays with you on your greatest adventures, as well as through civilised life. To me it’s a reminder of who you are and where you’ve been; a constant and reliable item in a dynamic life.” With over 5 trillion pieces of plastic currently littering our oceans, Bremont and Healey were keen to support a charity close to home for Mark with the release of its latest dive watch. Hailing from Oahu’s North Shore and with the largest ocean garbage patch being located between Hawaii and California, a percentage of proceeds from all Bremont Waterman sales will go towards ‘Sustainable Coastlines Hawaii’. The Bremont Waterman is designed to celebrate life on and indeed under the water and fundamentally to help contribute towards protecting our oceans’ legacy. The all-purpose Limited Edition diving watch hopes to add to the increasing awareness of the issues our oceans are facing all over the globe. Rubbish accumulates in 5 ocean garbage patches, the largest one being the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. If left to circulate, the plastic will impact our ecosystems, health and economies. Solving it requires a combination of addressing the source and cleaning up what has already accumulated in the ocean. Started in 2010, ‘Sustainable Coastlines Hawaii’ is a grassroots, local non-profit organisation run by a small team of dedicated staff and supported by passionate volunteers. The charity inspires local communities to care for their coastlines through fun, hands-on beach cleanups, as well as coordinating educational programmes, team building corporate cleanups, ocean plastic recycling, waste diversion services and public awareness campaigns.
CLEAR VISIBILITY The Bremont Waterman features an exhibition case back through which the modified automatic BE-932AE movement can be seen.
BREMONT BRIEFING SUMMER 2018
B R E M O N T WAT E R M A N
“Anytime you step into the ocean, you’re in an environment that’s completely uncontrolled by humans.”
UNCOMPROMISING DEMANDS Mark has put the Bremont Waterman through rigorous testing during dives which can be fraught with danger; from shallow water blackouts to shark attacks.
Head online to www.bremont.com/waterman to watch the official film and find out where you can purchase the new Bremont Waterman.
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BREMONT NEWS
News from the world of Bremont
Briefing:
F- 1 4 TO M CAT
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
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B R I T I SH F O RCE S W I L DCAT
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A M B A S S A D O R U P D AT E
BREMONT BRIEFING SUMMER 2018
BREMONT SUPPORTS TEAM TO PILOT FLIGHT IN RESTORED DC-3 DAKOTA FROM ENGLAND TO INDIA Aviation is in Bremont’s DNA, so the opportunity to play a part in the preservation of military flying heritage was not to be missed. In a year in which military aviation is being commemorated through the RAF centenary, Bremont was pleased to support a team of pilots as they flew a vintage Douglas DC-3 Dakota aircraft from Coventry to Delhi. The arrival of the aircraft helped to celebrate and communicate the heritage and relationship between the RAF and the IAF over the years. The Dakota, which played a crucial role in the 1947 India-Pakistan War carrying troops and supplies, joined a vintage restored Tiger Moth and Harvard at the Hindon Air base in India. The aircraft, which was acquired as scrap, was restored over 6 years by pilot Alex Woodeson and his team at Reflight and became a proud possession of the Indian Air Force. The DC-3 was stationed at RAF Benson in Oxfordshire and received an official launch on the 12th April from the Indian High Commissioner and UK Defence and Air Attache. The aircraft, Christened ‘Parashurama’ and with tail number VP905, was acquired by MP Rajeev Chandrasekhar with the aim of gifting it to the Indian Air Force Vintage Flight. It was offered as a permanent way to honour the men and women of the IAF past and present. The DC-3 was presented to IAF on behalf of his father Air Cmdr. (retd) M K Chandrasekhar who himself was a DC-3 Dakota pilot. Alex, wearing a Bremont MBII on the trip, was accompanied by 4 pilots, including two from the IAF, as they made the adventurous journey, stopping in 8 countries over 10 days including France, Italy, Greece, Jordan, Saudi, Bahrain and Oman before going on to India. The journey was not as straightforward as it seemed, Alex explains “It’s an old aircraft and it was a long way. One of the biggest issues was arranging specific fuel and oil along the route as she uses a lot compared to modern aircraft. It was an amazing adventure with some great views along the way, but we had to plan to be self-sufficient. You don’t get to do something like this everyday and we enjoyed every minute!”
FLIGHT READY The crew wore Bremont MBIIs during the flight which saw the DC-3 united with the Tiger Moth and Harvard at Hindon Air Base in India.
SEAN CONWAY SETS NEW WORLD RECORD Sean Conway has successfully broken the world record for the fastest, unsupported crossing of Europe by bicycle. His journey took him through 9 countries (Portugal, Spain, France, Switzerland, Germany, Czech Republic, Poland, Ukraine and Russia) and 3980 miles, all in 24 days, 18 hours and 39 minutes, beating the previous record by 9 hours. Travelling unsupported at all times, Sean cycled for 16 hours a day, slept rough on 19 occasions and showered just 4 times. Madness may have set in when in Portugal, he picked up a hitchhiker he named Pedro. The animal skull travelled with him all the way to the finish line. Arguably an odd decision when he travelled without a tent and cut off the end of his toothbrush just to save weight. Sean said, “After 6 years, 3 failed attempts and 60,000 miles, I have finally achieved a cycling world record!” Read more about Sean Conway and his incredible achievement online at www.bremont.com/blogbook
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MBII
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AN INTERVIEW WITH BEN SAUNDERS Following his return, Bremont caught up with Ben to discuss his most recent expedition. you’ve walked in the steps of Shackleton and Scott, what would you say you learnt about their endeavours? I think the thing that really blew me away, was the journey I did back in 2013-2014 which was three-anda-half months in Antarctica walking from the coast to the South Pole and back to the coast again. It hadn’t been finished for a century, a guy had done this journey and got close to it back in 1912 so I thought that the journey, literally walking in their footsteps would give me a great experience. I thought it would give a unique insight into what it must have been like for them. In some senses it did that but in other ways it left me with an even greater sense of just absolute awe, sort of awestruck respect at what they achieved and how far they got a century ago. In some ways the conditions were very similar, we spent 108 days on foot dragging sledges, it’s physically and mentally an extremely tough journey but in other ways we had 21st Century technology and we had a safety net that didn’t exist for them. When Shackleton turned around he was about 100m north of the pole. They were more than 18 months travel away from getting home, no communication so it’s a bit like the idea of flying to Mars now, the idea to take 18 months to get somewhere and then eighteen months back again, it’s extraordinary. I can’t imagine how isolated they must have felt. In some ways, yes, Tarka and I are the only living people to walk all the way up and all the way back down again. In some senses we’re privileged to have the insight into what it must have been like but in other ways I now feel just blown away at what they managed to achieve and how poorly equipped and clothed they were. HOW DOES THE CLOTHING AND TECHNOLOGY USED IN MODERN DAY EXPEDITIONS COMPARE TO THOSE USED IN YEARS GONE BY? In some ways the principles haven’t changed; they had a windproof outer shell and an insulator underneath, they had balaclavas and face masks and fairly rudimentary goggles. In other ways they’re a world apart, you know, the fact when Scott and Shackleton were making their expeditions, they didn’t have lifts, they hadn’t been invented yet. A lot of 21st Century technology was actually irrelevant to us, things like breathable membranes in jackets, it never rained in Antarctica, so we didn’t need stuff like that. In other ways you’ve got modern fabrics, one of the big changes for us was down filled clothes, so that’s got a lot better.
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IS WEIGHT A BIG DIFFERENCE?
HOW METICULOUS IS YOUR DIET PREPARATION?
Yes, although having said that it enabled us to do this trip in a way that would have been unthinkable if we had to be pulling everything ourselves. We both had big support teams, they had prepositioned depots, whereas we started pulling everything, so I’m not saying necessarily we had it harder but actually, yes, contemporary technology and equipment meant that we could start in a very minimalist style. The support teams were bringing everything they thought we’d need for nearly 12 months, so in some ways it was enormously different but in other ways, you know, the conditions haven’t really changed, and the experiences aren’t dissimilar. I think the big game changers are the electronic technology, things like GPS, they would have been absolutely gobsmacked by it. They had to do the really complex calculations to know their position, whereas we knew it, so GPS is a big one. Then, of course, satellites, which I think you always assume that having a phone and being able to send and receive emails makes things easier, but I think it’s a double-edged sword. If you’re not careful it can exacerbate home sickness and feelings of isolation. However, you are able to share the stories and I could answer questions from school kids, I loved that.
One of the funniest parts about preparing is fattening up beforehand, I put on 10kg, which sounds wonderful but it’s really frustrating when you’re feeling really fit and you have to deliberately overeat. Ideally you want to put on fat because it stores energy well. The food itself, that’s my fuel for the journey and that’s all packed in individual sealed bags. There’s a lot of thought and work gone into nutrition because ultimately, it’s an endurance challenge. Again, I had a real interest in the sort of human performance side of it, I always say, yes, I’m not trying to find out where the South Pole is, or the North Pole is, so for me this is almost an athletic challenge rather than an exploration. As far as performance goes, these long self-support expeditions are about as tough as it gets in terms of endurance. Often 9, 10, 11 hour days, there’s not much energy left so nutrition is important. It’s always evolving, always changing.
Typically, how MUCH PREPARATION IS INVOLVED IN GETTING READY FOR AN EXPEDITION? Thinking back to 2013, it was several years building up to it. It was training, expeditions in Greenland, testing equipment, clothing and food. There’s about 9 to 12 months of training and preparation. So in some ways it’s an iterative process but in other ways I’d say about 18 months and a year of physical training. You have to be a weird fitness jack of all trades because it’s an ultra-endurance event. In 2013, we covered 69 marathons back to back. I guess on the surface it seems quite simple, it’s two guys dragging a sled for several months and in other ways it’s incredibly complex and you’re so reliant on every bit of equipment, every bit of clothing. Even the smallest thing is quite stressful and you’re always aware the expedition is only as strong as the weakest link. So, I get pretty obsessive about clothing, equipment and nutrition.
BESIDES THE OBVIOUS SKI EQUIPMENT, what other equipment would you take with you? In some ways all of it’s essential, so having shelter, a tent, a stove to be able to melt the snow to get water, you know? There’s a whole string of stuff. One of the strange things about doing this is that you have 24 hours daylight, so there’s no obvious delineation between night time and day time, the sun is high in the sky the whole time so it’s very confusing. It’s entirely optional what hour to work in because it’s 24-hour daylight, so I opted to work on UK time just to make things easier with communications and so I don’t get jetlag. Your entire life, your whole daily routine is governed by the time, you know, where do you start? Where do you stop?
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BREMONT BRIEFING SUMMER 2018
Having a watch you trust. It is absolutely crucial that you can tell the time otherwise you’re stuffed, you’ll have no idea what time of day or night it is and everything is done by the clock. In some of the toughest conditions on the planet you had ambient temperatures of the -40s and the -48s, so pretty extreme. Anything with a battery, things like GPS, cameras you have to keep relatively protected so they tend to stay in the pockets of your jackets, but the watch had to be accessible and therefore it was on top of my jacket. HOW INVOLVED WERE YOU IN THE DESIGN OF THE BREMONT ENDURANCE? The Endurance is an evolution of another limited edition Bremont watch called the Terra Nova. That started back in 2012 and it was a watch I was wearing anyway and had proved really bomb proof, so we thought it was a good starting point. There are two things I asked Bremont for and I felt they were both important. The first one was having a 24-hour hand so a separate hand that does one revolution of the dial in 24 hours. This helped enormously with navigation. If you’ve got a watch with a 24-hour hand, then you point it at the sun and midday is point north, it’s as simple as that, you can use it to navigate, it’s very, very straightforward. It makes it very easy to navigate very quickly, so the first thing is having a 24-hour clock with a 24-hour hand and then the second thing came down to my obsession with saving weight. Obviously, I’m travelling under my own personal power so the less weight I’m carrying and the less weight I’m dragging around with me then the better. That goes into everything, the food will be dried, the tent, we sort of customise and cut the metal tabs off of zips and replaced them with cords to save weight. We even cut the handle off my toothbrush. It seemed like fairly minor things, but I set it, so the weight is always much lighter, it has to be done and I think there’s a sort of mental ego attached to this so you feel more confident when you set off. what do you MISS most DURING AN EXPEDITION? It’s funny. In some ways the grass is always greener. I spend months and years getting really excited about these big expeditions but without fail every expedition I’ve done, as soon as I start I can’t wait to get home and get back in my bed. It’s the most basic things, you miss sitting in a chair, eating with a knife and fork, drinking water out of a tap, being able to walk outside without a face mask. It’s funny how there’s always the initial few months where
everything is amazing when you get home. It’s amazing how quickly you take everything for granted and before long you’re fed up as you’re flying to New York and the WiFi on the plane isn’t working, so it’s amazing how you adapt. You must have seen some pretty amazing wildlife on your recent exploration?
of this place, particularly of Antarctica and I’ve got a few plans for taking groups of people down, especially young people to introduce them to this place and tell the story of Scott and Shackleton. It’s probably a couple of years off yet but we’ll do it. Storytelling, and sharing stories of experiences, you could have young filmmakers, writers, so that’s the plan.
In Antarctica, disappointingly the only life is around the coast, so I saw nothing last year. In 2013-2014 we saw seals at the very start and then at the very end we saw seals, penguins and killer whales. There’s no wildlife in the middle, there’s nothing at all. It’s completely sterile and just giant and white. It’s very exciting to get back to the coast. on your recent expedition what were the greatest dangers? It’s the conditions. It’s an extraordinary place, it’s as close as I can imagine to being in space. You’re in this environment that, without the correct equipment, you’d be dead in a few minutes. If you were in the hottest jungle or desert with a pair of speedos you’d survive for a day or two at least but in a cold windy day in Antarctica it would be minutes. It’s about as extreme a climate you can get. It’s really not conducive to life of any sorts and that’s why there’s nothing in it, no animals, no wildlife, there’s nothing living down there. It’s a harsh and hostile environment and that’s the biggest danger. It can feel quite intimidating when the weather is bad, you can get wind chill and it gets very risky. You become aware of the consequences of tiny mistakes and particularly being on my own there for a few months last year, just putting the tent up in a storm, you’re holding onto it and trying to get the poles fixed. If I slip and let go of the tent I’m screwed. Beyond the environment, the North Pole it’s polar bears, in Antarctica it’s crevasses and you don’t want to fall down a hole, so there are other risky places but the biggest one is the weather. What would be the ultimate exploration for you? In some ways it was the journey back in 2013-2014, which was finishing the trip Scott and Shackleton had done. It was the longest ever polar journey on foot, so I’m really chuffed with that. In other ways, I feel like I’ve scratched the edge in terms of my own personal goals and I’m more interested now in telling the story
THE BREMONT ENDURANCE 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 12 expeditions in the polar regions, having covered more than 7,000km north of the Arctic circle and South of the Antarctic 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. To find your nearest store visit: www.bremont.com/nearest-stores
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TIME FOR ADVENTURE
BREMONT BRIEFING SUMMER 2018
RUNNING DANGEROUSLY Bremont was delighted to partner with entrepreneur Jordan Wylie in his “Running Dangerously” quest to complete a 10K, HalfMarathon, and Full-Marathon in three of the most dangerous countries in the world. Jordan is a former British soldier and current entrepreneur, author and speaker. He aims to complete the endurance runs in Somalia, Iraq and Afghanistan with the aim to raise enough money to pay for the education of three children who have been affected by war. The three runs through each war-torn country will test Jordan’s mental and physical limits, putting his personal safety at risk. Jordan will document each endeavour from start to finish, which will culminate in a 30-minute online documentary to raise awareness and additional support for this very worthy cause. The first challenge “Running Dangerously” through Somalia was completed on 21st February 2018. Jordan’s previous experience in Somalia saw him dealing with pirates and criminals at sea as he was involved in maritime security operations. The next challenge took him to Iraq; a country Jordan has served in as a British soldier during his time in military service. Having not been back for over 10 years, this stint of Running Dangerously was emotional for Jordan, given the many friends and colleagues that he lost while serving alongside them. Jordan completed this half marathon on May 26th. Enduring the heat and humidity, he said it was one of the toughest things he has done physically. The final leg of the challenge will take Jordan to Afghanistan; a nation undergoing a large political and economical shift. Westerners are advised against travel there due to the high terrorist threat and security risks.
JAKE MEYER AND HIS RETURN TO THE SAVAGE MOUNTAIN Bremont caught up with ambassador Jake Meyer ahead of his third attempt at summitting K2. In June 2005, at the age of 21, Jake stood on the summit of Mount Everest and achieved his dream of becoming the youngest man in the world to complete the Seven Summits (the highest mountain on each continent) and the youngest Briton to climb Everest. Jake also broke the World Record for climbing the 48 highest peaks of Continental USA in the shortest time possible. The Freestyle® Challenge 48 was completed in just 23 days, 19 hours and 31 minutes as Jake reached the summit of Mount Katahdin in Maine. The Englishman shaved a huge 5 days off the existing record of 29 days. Jake last attempted to summit K2 in 2016 as part of a British Team, the first to attempt the mountain in over a decade. The British Team was considered one of the strongest on the mountain in the 2016 season, but during the summit attempt, an avalanche destroyed camp 3 at 7300m. When Jake and the Sherpa team reached the site of Camp 3, there was nothing but avalanche debris - all tents, oxygen, rope and equipment had been destroyed, buried or swept away. This event caused all teams on the mountain to call off their summit attempts. In June 2018, Jake returns to K2 for the third time, as part of a small international team. He hopes there will be a certain amount of poetic justice in ‘third time’s a charm’. You can subscribe to the expedition blog and follow Jake’s
journey at the expedition website: www.k2-2018.com. During the expedition Jake will be putting the Bremont S300 through its paces. During a recent visit to Bremont HQ Jake said: “For me, K2 has been a 10 year journey. I first thought about wanting to do it on the way down from the top of Everest. Standing on top of Everest when I was 21 and 134 days old was sort of my life’s ambition come true and from that point I thought, well what do I do next? K2 was an obvious answer. In 2008 I was due to go and I was part a team and had a sponsor and at the last minute, due to a number of reasons, the expedition fell apart and we didn’t go. Whilst I was incredibly disappointed, I then watched that season jealously as the various teams went off to Pakistan to attempt K2. Of course, the horror of then what turned into one of the worst disasters of K2’s history; eleven people dying within about 36 hours. I recognised that was certainly not the year I should have been there and I was rather pleased I wasn’t. I managed to become part of a team that went in 2009. We got to 7700 metres before bad snow conditions stopped us. A couple of the team members managed to get up onto the shoulder of the mountain at about 8000 metres but ultimately the weather conspired against us. This time I’m determined to achieve the goal and summit K2.”
GETTING HANDS ON Jake assisted in the assembly of the S300 that will accompany him on the expedition, a crucial part of his kit.
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
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TIMING ON THE THAMES
BREMONT BRIEFING SUMMER 2018
Briefing:
TIMING ON THE THAMES Mention the word Henley to an Englishman and he will immediately think of Henley Royal Regatta. Nestled amongst the rolling Chiltern Hills, the small Oxfordshire town of Henley-on-Thames hosts one of England’s most venerable sporting and social events. First held in 1839, Henley Royal Regatta is an annual highlight of the rowing competitive calendar. In more recent years, the town began earning a new reputation, as the home of British watchmaking. Bremont Watch Company established its headquarters in Henley in 2005. Bremont designs and builds beautiful mechanical timepieces near the banks of the River Thames and is focused on reviving the watchmaking industry in Great Britain. These two Henley organisations joined forces in 2017, when Bremont was appointed as the first Official Timekeeper in Henley Royal Regatta’s history. When the townspeople of Henley held a fair with an amateur rowing event in 1839, they launched what quickly became an annual sporting fixture. The Regatta received Royal Patronage in 1851 from HRH Prince Albert. Subsequently, each reigning monarch has been the event’s patron and the only breaks in its 178-year history were during the two world wars. Initially an afternoon event, the Regatta now spans five days with over 280 races. Attracting participants from all over the world, Henley offers both an exceptional atmosphere and a unique challenge to rowers. Amateur oarsmen may compete against Olympic greats, in head to head knockout races on Henley’s historic 1 mile and 550 yard course. Matthew Pinsent, Olympic rowing gold medallist and Steward of Henley Royal Regatta, explains the Regatta’s appeal: “Henley is special and exists with rules and historical setting all of its own. We like to think that it is the pre-eminent side by side race in the world - partly because of its history and partly because of its appeal from internationals through clubs to schools and juniors, all testing themselves on the same course the same days of summer.” As the wide River Thames meanders through the town, it divides the two counties that demarcate the race starting stations: Buckinghamshire on the north bank, and Berkshire on the south. Following tradition, races begin with shouted instructions of ‘Attention’, followed by ‘Go’ and the dropping of a flag.
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The oarsmen and women power narrow racing shells down the course, which is marked out with potentially perilous wooden posts and booms. An Umpire and Stewards follow behind in a wooden motor launch, using handheld stopwatches to check progress at marker points along the course. Once the exhausted crews have passed the Finish Line, both teams give a traditional three cheers for their opponents. What differentiates Henley from other regattas is the colourful and noisy ambience of Henley’s social scene. An essential fixture on the summer social calendar, over 300,000 visitors descend to enjoy the atmosphere and cheer on the participants. Henley’s long held customs extend to spectators, with men adorned in colourful rowing club blazers and boater hats, and ladies requested to keep hemlines below the knee in the Stewards’ Enclosure. Reminiscent of an Edwardian summer scene, the event has changed little since the nineteenth century, as if time stood still on the banks of the Thames. Enclosures, grandstands and every available space along the riverbank are packed with onlookers feasting on picnics and quaffing champagne. Pleasure craft on the river provide a unique vantage point with smaller boats moored right alongside the course, mere metres from the rowers. Surrounded by cheering spectators in such close proximity, competing at Henley is an unforgettable experience for the rowers. The river has always been at the heart of life in the historic market town of Henley-on-Thames, with ornate gabled buildings with pretty red roofs clustered along its banks. Surrounded by lush green woodland and rolling pasture, the town is considered one of England’s most beautiful. Whilst the social side of the Regatta provides a draw to Henley, the competition on the water is serious. For Regatta entrants, Henley involves lengthy preparation, the sheer effort of which is etched on their faces at the end of the course, whether basking in the relief of victory or the distress of defeat. Nick says, “At Bremont, we love to champion those who push themselves to the limits and we build our timepieces to withstand those extremes on the wearer’s wrist. ‘Tested Beyond Endurance’ is a strong part of the Bremont ethos. We have the utmost admiration for the Regatta entrants and their extreme physical effort to take victory on the Henley Course.”
AND THE FLAG DROPS The Umpires drop the flag to indicate the start of a race.
TIMING ON THE THAMES
BREMONT BRIEFING SUMMER 2018
TIMING MECHANISMS Competitors at Henley Royal Regatta are racing their opponents, but they are also racing the clock. Timekeeper Stewards were first appointed in 1906 but the straight course used today was set in 1924, enabling times to be truly comparable. Matthew Pinsent explains, “The records are all to the nearest second and still done with Steward thumbs on stopwatch buttons in the Umpire’s launch. I think the crews appreciate the history and it’s a big moment when you get to have your name go in the record section at the back of the programme.” To honour Henley’s traditional use of handheld timing, Bremont has handcrafted beautiful commemorative mechanical stopwatches for the 2018 Regatta.
A TRULY BRITISH COLLABORATION Whilst the word Henley conjures up images of the Regatta, the name Bremont has become synonymous with mechanical. At its Henley headquarters, Bremont’s watchmakers carefully construct highly accurate luxury mechanical timepieces. Nick English explains the enduring appeal: “There’s a wonderful longevity with all things mechanical. The intricacy of the engineering and the high level of craftsmanship required make a mechanical timepiece a small work of art.” For more than a century, Henley Royal Regatta has relied on handheld timing. For Bremont, the company’s mechanical Henley Royal Regatta stopwatches will honour this and the other customs unique to one of England’s most renowned and historic sporting events. Nick concludes, “Henley Royal Regatta has a phenomenal heritage that ties in beautifully with our core values at Bremont. The event is so quintessentially British and as Official Timekeeper, we are delighted to celebrate Henley’s long-held traditions.”
RACE DAY at henley Bremont Ambassador and double Olympic gold medallist rower Alex Gregory MBE shares his experience on racing at Henley Royal Regatta. Race day. A year of training boils down to minutes, even seconds. The flag drops. You’re now not only battling the clock but the competition beside you. It’s a straight head to head race. After 2 minutes your body is screaming to stop. The lactic acid in your muscles has started to build up and you’re starting to feel it. Your lungs start to burn. Deep, forceful hard breaths, sucking in the air to try to get more and more oxygen to the muscles, there is never enough. Each crew member feels the same. Another 2 minutes down the course, 4 minutes in, coming up to the half way marker you are desperate to stop. You wish you could stop. Your body is screaming at you and your lungs feel as though they are about to burst. You don’t see a way on earth you can make it to the finish line….yet no one stops. No one even backs off an ounce of effort in the stroke. Time stands still when you’re in a race. You’re hurting so badly, the end seems so far away. Races are neverending while you’re in them. But it’s timing that keeps you moving. You are a cog in a timepiece, you don’t have a choice, you have to keep moving. During the last 500 meters, the noise of the crowd is getting to fever pitch. You can sense the end, but you’re desperate. The stroke rate has just increased and you’re close to max.
You move in time because that’s all you have. Timing is never more important than now. In a race of over 300 strokes, one mistake and your race is over. 12 months of work boiling down to a fraction of a second…then it’s over. Emotions are running high and the pain is all encompassing. If you win you hurt, if you lose you hurt. Timing is the difference between victory and defeat. Head online to www.bremont.com to find out more about the partnership and to watch our film narrated by Alex Gregory MBE.
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ON TH E ROAD
BREMONT BRIEFING SUMMER 2018
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 aviator’s watches at this year’s 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.
THE English Tour AMERICA: West Coast Following on from the success of the ‘English Tour’ in 2017 Bremont Co-Founders Nick and Giles English embarked on another tour along the West Coast of America. The tour took place in June 2018 with the route taking them from Pheonix, Arizona all the way to San Fransisco.
In celebration of all things British, Bremont CoFounders Nick and Giles English drove 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 had to keep their mechanical wits about them to keep them moving in the right direction, particularly through ‘Death Valley’. This was a journey about mechanical machines, adventure, people and the Best of British. Nick and Giles also hosted a series of events along the way whilst stopping at some of Bremont’s Authorised Dealers, watch clubs and iconic landmarks. The brothers immersed themselves in the culture of each US state they passed through. To view content from this year’s English Tour, visit Bremont’s social media channels.
#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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ON TH E ROAD
BREMONT BRIEFING SUMMER 2018
HEVENINGHAM HALL concours d’elegance The Heveningham Hall Concours d’Elegance, inaugurated in 2016 as a motorsport event, bringing together some 50 of the world’s finest motor cars. Displayed amid the backdrop of Grade I listed Georgian mansion, Heveningham Hall, on dramatic grass terraces designed by renowned landscape architect Kim Wilkie, Bremont is proud to be supporting the event and exhibiting during the open days on 30th June and 1st July 2018.
BREMONT events
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
BREMONT & BICESTER HERITAGE This exciting partnership sees Bremont join Bicester Heritage as the official timekeeper of the Sunday Scramble open day events, furthering the collective passions of both companies for British craftsmanship and motoring heritage. As a key part of this collaboration, Bremont clocks will adorn prominent buildings around the historic former RAF Technical Site at Bicester Heritage. Bicester Heritage is creating a revolution in historic vehicle ownership. The unique location is the UK’s only hub for historic motoring excellence and is the national centre for a £5.5bn per annum industry that employs over 34,000 skilled people. Founded in 2013 Bicester Heritage has gone from a standing start to a home for over 30 specialist businesses, and growing, with a collective turnover of over £20m, making it the largest player in the industry and set to grow exponentially with a global reach. For Sunday Scramble events visit www.bicesterheritage.co.uk
win an exclusive watchmaking experience Bremont is thrilled to offer a unique chance for TWO PEOPLE to win a watchmaking experience day at Bremont HQ in Henleyon-Thames. Spend the afternoon with our watchmaking team and learn for yourself how to assemble a Bremont timepiece. Head online to enter for a chance to win this exclusive opportunity and to see what luxury British watchmaking is all about. www.bremont.com/hq18
#mybremont Share your best #MyBremont shots with us to feature on our Instagram page. BremontWatches
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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 line-up and has been a bestseller for the brand since its 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 watchmaking 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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BREMONT BRIEFING SUMMER 2018
BREMONT AIRCO
BREMONT BRIEFING SUMMER 2018
AIRCO
Bremont celebrates the history of military aviation with new additions to the classic AIRCO collection.
A I RCO M AC H 3 /BL
A IRCO MAC H 2/ WH
AIRCO MAC H 1 / WH
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 which could easily fit under the cuff.
FI N D YO U R N E AR E ST STO R E Discover the new 2018 releases at a Bremont Boutique or Authorised Dealer. To find your nearest visit: BREMONT.COM/NEAREST-STORES
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bremont u - 2 / 5 1 - jet
BREMONT BRIEFING SUMMER 2018
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 anti-shock 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 S 5 0 0
BREMONT BRIEFING SUMMER 2018
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, and 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 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 has released 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. 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 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.
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 boutiques
BREMONT BRIEFING SUMMER 2018
Inside Bremont:
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.
COMING SOON CANARY WHARF BOUTIQUE 8A Canary Wharf Shopping Centre Cabot Place, West Canary Wharf, London E14 4QS Tel: +44 (0) 203 943 5100 Email: canarywharf@bremont.com
New York Boutique 501 Madison Avenue, New York NY 10022 Tel: +1 212 321 0012 Email: madison501@bremont.com
Mayfair Boutique 29 South Audley St, London W1K 2PE Tel: +44 (0) 207 493 5150 Email: southaudley@bremont.com
Hong Kong Boutique 1 Lyndhurst Terrace, Central, Hong Kong Tel: 852 2395 0628 Email: hongkong@bremont.com
City of London Boutique Royal Exchange, London EC3V 3LQ Tel: +44 (0) 207 220 7134 Email: royalexchange@bremont.com
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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
inside bremont
BREMONT BRIEFING SUMMER 2018
BREMONT’S WORLD
01. British Engineering Great Britain has a wonderful history when it comes to watchmaking 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.
Five Questions with TIM PARKER, MANUFACTURING MANAGER, BREMONT WHAT DID YOU DO PRIOR TO WORKING FOR BREMONT? Prior to joining Bremont, nearly two years ago, I was working for an OEM weapons manufacturer for naval and aircraft weapons; from design to manufacturing, assembly and testing.
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.
ARE THERE SIMILARITIES BETWEEN THAT ROLE AND YOUR ROLE AT BREMONT? There certainly are, particularly the precision associated with both industries; everything has to fit correctly. In the field, if people are changing parts and replacing parts, they have to do everything with their hands so the accuracy of parts and the quality of the parts is absolutely paramount. In the watch world, tolerances are so small, so again, when you’re manufacturing parts the accuracy and precision is equal to or tighter than the weapons world because of the scale. can you tell us more about your role AND THE MACHINERY YOU USE here at bremont? We have the latest equipment technology that is at the top of its game. We need these machines because they are accurate, fast and reliable. We’re growing
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.
our range of machines so we can expand our product range here. We also have machines that help us develop new parts, parts that haven’t been made in this country for fifty or sixty years. WHAT EXCITES YOU MOST ABOUT BREMONT? Here, for me, the exciting bit about Bremont is that we’re embarking on challenges that nobody else in this country is doing on this scale. I’m immensely proud of what we do here, we’re growing, we have a great team of people that are making us achieve this and nothing pleases me more than constantly making new components so we’re self sufficient. WhAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THE FUTURE OF BREMONT? The future of the manufacturing facility here is only going to grow. We’re going to be making more and more parts and complex parts people say are too technically challenging for us and very difficult to manufacture. We’ve come a long way in the two years I’ve been here and I envisage the next two years will be a different chapter for us.
BRITISH PARTS Bremont is making significant steps towards bringing watchmaking back to the UK.
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BREMONT BRIEFING SUMMER 2018
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
BREMONT BRIEFING SUMMER 2018
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.
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.
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.
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