TOWNH OU SE
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ARMED FORCES COLLECTION
NEW S2000 RANGE
MB LIMITED EDITION
SOLO-34
Three new robust timepieces, approved by Her Majesty’s Armed Forces
Two new 45mm robust diving watches introduced into the Supermarine range
A new Limited Edition marking 10 years since the first Bremont MB model was released
Four new elegant 34mm ladies’ chronometers introduced into the SOLO range
APPROVED BY HER MAJESTY’S ARMED FORCES Discover the new Bremont Armed Forces Collection, introduced at this year’s Bremont Townhouse.
MADE TO MILITARY STANDARDS Find out why Bremont has been appointed as the provider of fine timepieces to Her Majesty’s Armed Forces Page 3
S300: PROJECT POSSIBLE 14/7 Discover how the new Supermarine S300 is being put through its paces by ambassador Nirmal ‘Nims’ Purja MBE Page 8
TESTED BEYOND ENDURANCE Discover Bremont’s latest adventures and military projects from around the globe Page 13
INSIDE BREMONT Take a look inside Bremont’s workshop as we interview one of our talented team members Page 19
WELCOME
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THE BREMONT TOWNHOUSE 2019 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 2019 Bremont collection debuts at its third London Townhouse event where, over the course of three days in Clerkenwell, the brand is brought to life with the help of its esteemed ambassadors and partners. Most notably the Bremont Townhouse sees the announcement of an incredibly special partnership which marks the introduction of three new robust timepieces, all approved by Her Majesty’s Armed Forces. In addition to this, Bremont is excited to announce a series of new Supermarine models as well as the introduction of a limited edition MBIII and an elegant new ladies’ chronometer range. 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 is delighted to present its third Townhouse event. The 2019 edition will also be making its way ‘across the pond’, bringing a touch of Britain to the US. Following the success of the NY Townhouse in 2018, the US business continues to grow and the brand is thrilled to be launching its new collection there once again.
THE HIGHLIGHTS FROM LAST YEAR Highlights from the Bremont Townhouse 2018 include the launch of the Bremont Endurance, exclusive evening
events packed with Bremont’s friends, ambassadors and esteemed guests as well as watchmaking demos from Bremont’s Head Watchmaker.
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BREMONT 2019 COLLECTION
Introducing:
THE BREMONT ARMED FORCES COLLECTION Bremont’s new range of robust timepieces, approved by Her Majesty’s Armed Forces. B R E M O N T.CO M / 3
BEST OF BRITISH
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Introducing:
THE ARMED FORCES COLLECTION The Ministry of Defence selects Bremont as official luxury watch partner to Her Majesty’s Armed Forces.
Bremont is proud to enter into a partnership with the Ministry of Defence (MoD) honouring Her Majesty’s Armed Forces. Through this partnership, Bremont will become the sole luxury watch producer allowed to legitimately use the signs, symbols and insignia of all three services. This will mark the first time that civilians can purchase official Bremont Military timepieces bearing these symbols. Consequently, Bremont will be releasing a new military inspired range of watches incorporating the Heraldic badges of the Royal Navy, British Army and the Royal Air Force. Bremont’s well-respected heritage and reputation within the military, specifically with the British military, made the British watchmaker the natural partner of choice for the MoD. Bremont has created numerous special-order projects at the request of personnel from all branches of the British armed forces and is widely recognised throughout for its discretion, its patriotism and its reputation for supplying products that are fit for purpose. “It is difficult to think of a more significant recognition that has been received by Bremont in the 12 years since we sold our first watch,” said Nick English, who co-founded the brand in 2002 with his brother, Giles. “The fact that so many British military personnel from across the three forces have chosen to privately buy bespoke Bremont watches as a means of demonstrating their pride for the regiments, squadrons and ships companies in which they serve has long been extremely humbling to us and we are, of course, immensely honoured to now be an official partner of Her Majesty’s Armed Forces.” Bremont ambassador Brian Wood MC comments, “A medal glitters, but it also casts a shadow. My story is a journey through adversity, I’m proud to have served my country and to have earned the Military Cross for my actions in Iraq. I’ve been tested beyond battle and now I’m proud to be partnering with Bremont, to be testing their watches beyond endurance. I know just how proud Nick and Giles English are of their military work to date and I can’t
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The Bremont Armed Forces Collection features a two-piece hardened steel case and multiple layers of Super-LumiNova® paint on the hands and dial.
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think of a more fitting watch company for the Ministry of Defence than Bremont who are at the heart of bringing back watchmaking to the UK. Being ‘Tested Beyond Endurance’ couldn’t be a more apt strapline for both military personnel and undoubtedly for this watch collection too.” A Captain Royal Navy said: “As a Royal Naval Officer, I am pleased that the wider community can share with us the pride and passion and that is the ethos of the Royal Navy. We too have been tried and tested and never found wanting. Always there, always ready and ever vigilant in protecting our Nation’s interests”. A Colonel British Army said: “The Army’s relentless drive for innovation is encapsulated by our exceptional soldiers who are always at the cutting edge of military performance. This event is an excellent opportunity for people to see what it takes to be the best”. A Group Captain Royal Air Force said: “21st Century airpower relies on dedicated people, cutting edge technology and, of course, precise timekeeping. The Bremont Arrow encapsulates that spirit of the skies and new horizons”. To launch the new partnership, Bremont has developed the Armed Forces Collection which comprises three new MoD-inspired chronometer-rated timepieces. Whilst there will be a different design dedicated to each of the military branches, all will feature the collective historic and heraldic insignia of the three services clearly stamped on the casebacks. As with all Bremont watches, these will be produced at the company’s headquarters in Henley-on-Thames, UK. The Armed Forces Collection draws inspiration from the original ‘Dirty Dozen’ watches, a series of timepieces commissioned for the British Army during WW2 when Britain’s Ministry of Defence needed watches to issue to military personnel. Very strict performance specifications, for the time, were set which included waterproofing, regulation to chronometer specification, luminous markings on the dial and a robust case construction. In homage to these criteria Bremont has designed three stylish and sturdy timepieces that reflect the needs of Her Majesty’s Armed Forces today. Taking design cues from the original 1940s models, produced by various brands around at that time, Bremont has developed a new, more traditional two-piece case with a screw-in, stamped case back. The Bremont Broadsword is a contemporary take on the three handed ‘Dirty Dozen’ watch design which houses the chronometer rated BE-95-2AV movement inside its twopiece 40mm hardened steel case as well as a sub-seconds hand at 6 o’clock. Multiple layers of luminous paint on the hands and dial complete the original specification for the British Army.
The Bremont Arrow is a 42mm cased mono-pusher chronograph. The pusher at 2 o’clock on the twopiece hardened steel case will start, stop and reset the stopwatch on the chronometer rated BE-51AE movement. The Arrow plays on the same British military DNA as the Broadsword but is aimed at the airman with its chronograph functionality, a necessity for any timed mission. The sub-dial at 9 o’clock is a running seconds, and the chronograph has elapsed minutes on the 3 o’clock counter. Engineered with the utmost integrity, the Arrow is steadfastly accurate, durable and legible. The final model in the new range is the Argonaut, a name inspired by Greek mythology and synonymous
BR E MONT B ROA DSWOR D
BREMONT ARROW
with Navy history having appeared on Commissioned ships for nearly 250 years. This exciting new 42mm hardened steel-cased military dive watch, houses a three-handed chronometer rated BE-92AV movement. The internal rotating bezel is operated by a crown at 4 o’clock, and readability on both the hands and dial have been crucial in the design process. With minutes being so critical in the marine environment, the highly legible orange minute hand can be seen very clearly and is filled with custom green Super-LumiNova®. The Bremont Armed Forces Collection aims to appeal to both military personnel and civilians alike, delivering a range that combines the need for performance and reliability.
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Introducing:
S2000
Bremont ambassador Ross Edgley tests ultimate dive watch, the new Bremont S2000. With a strapline of being ‘Tested Beyond Endurance’ Bremont has always prided itself on working with adventurers who test these mechanical British watches to the absolute extremes and often in the harshest environments on earth. From the very beginnings of the brand, in the 5 years of R&D it went through before launching the first Bremont watches on the market in 2007, the likes of Charley Boorman and Ewan McGregor were rattling around on ‘The Long Way Down’ testing prototype Bremont watches for durability, reliability and general robustness. Bremont has since been privileged to have worked with a host of talented and adventurous individuals who have helped reinforce its ambition of becoming the definitive watch of choice, whatever the challenge. The original S2000 model, released in 2013, is the most technical professional dive watch in the Bremont range being able to withstand depths of up to 2000m. Having been used extensively by professional divers and the military alike, the overengineered S2000 has proved its metal and some. 2019 marks the introduction of a refreshed design for the S2000 with the release of two new distinctive red and yellow models, replacing the original. Bremont has enlisted the help of British swimming champion Ross Edgley to put this new design through its paces. Ross is an adventurer and author most recently known for becoming the first person to make history by swimming all the way around Great Britain in 2018. After 2,000 miles and 157 days, the swim was announced as the ‘World Swim of the Year 2018’ and it became officially recognised as “The World’s Longest Staged Sea Swim.” As Ross is looking ahead to future challenges, adding to his already impressive roster, Bremont is excited to see the journey he will take the new S2000 on. Bremont Co-Founder, Giles English: “The S2000 undergoes considerable in-house testing and has been engineered to truly be the definitive dive watch. We’re so excited to have Ross on board as part of the Bremont family, a great British adventurer who can corroborate that the watch lives up to expectations out in the field. Ross has some epic challenges in the pipeline and we’re thrilled to have Bremont involved, he is exactly the kind of person we aspired to have wearing, and indeed testing, our watches when we set out in 2002.” Since inception, the Bremont Supermarine range has had a distinctive look and feel. The robust diver’s series began with the introduction of the S500 and eventually, by increasing the Supermarine case size to
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45mm, Bremont developed the more technical S2000 enabling it to withstand further depths and making it the deepest diving watch within the entire collection. The new S2000 designs feature an updated sapphire uni-directional rotating bezel with 20-minute coloured marker, a throwback to an early S500 design, which ties in the red and yellow tip at the end of the minute hand on each respective colourway. The knurled effect on the dial’s centre teamed with clean and crisp linear markings on the bezel and inner dial ring offer a fresh look for the S2000. Turning the timepiece over reveals its updated case back design showcasing a stamped submarine screw instead of the original S6B Supermarine aircraft. Named as a tribute to the iconic British aircraft manufacturer responsible for the Supermarine S6B Schneider Trophy Seaplane and of course the incredible Supermarine Spitfire, each Bremont Supermarine is built using Bremont’s Trip-Tick® three-piece case construction with DLC treated barrel featuring a helium escape valve. Extensive testing in the UK by Bremont has led to the design and construction of the ‘Anti-Shock’ movement mount to help protect it against large shocks. The beautifully finished and chronometer tested movement is also housed inside an anti-magnetic Faraday cage to protect the balance, balance spring and escapement from any effects of magnetisation.
Turning the timepiece over reveals its updated case back design showcasing a stamped submarine screw.
Friend of the brand Jason Heaton testing the original S2000 model whilst ice diving. Credit: Gishani Ratnayake
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Bremont has enlisted the help of British swimming champion Ross Edgley to put this new design through its paces.
“Britain has an incredible history and heritage of great explorers from Sir Francis Drake, Captain James Cook to the modern living legend Sir Ranulph Fiennes, but one of my favourite stories has to be Captain Matthew Webb, the first recorded person to swim the English Channel on 25 August 1875. Worth noting is many people believed the swim to be impossible because the tides were too strong and water too cold, but Captain Webb, in a woollen wetsuit and on a diet of brandy and beef broth, swam breaststroke (because “front crawl was ungentlemanly like”) and battled waves for over 20 hours to make history. For me this story just embodies what being a true British explorer is all about, since (for whatever reason) it seems adventure and exploration is engrained in our British DNA.” Ross Edgley, Bremont ambassador
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S20 0 0/ YE L LOW
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PEAK PERFORMANCE
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Introducing:
S300
Bremont introduces S300 White, the new Supermarine to be tested on “Project Possible: 14/7”. One man will embark on a record-breaking attempt to scale 14 of the world’s highest peaks, all of them over 8,000m. The previous attempt took over 7 years. If this attempt is successful it will smash that record by completing the challenge in just 7 months. As a retired member of the Gurkhas and SBS, as well as being the current world record holder for climbing 3 of the 8,000ers in the fastest time ever recorded, Bremont ambassador Nirmal ‘Nims’ Purja MBE will embark on this challenge in March 2019 sporting the new Bremont S300 White. If successful, Nims will undoubtedly establish a paradigm shift in the perception of human potential, breaking more than 7 speed world records on mountains above 8,000m. Known for producing watches which are tested far beyond the normal call of duty, and with the extensive military pedigree that Bremont has, Nims knew the British watch company could deliver a tough and reliable timepiece for this epic adventure. Commenting on the partnership, “I firmly believe that everything in life is possible armed only with a determined approach and positive mindset, this much Nick and Giles have proven in their own way in terms of bringing back watchmaking to Britain. Now that my military career is behind me, I will strive to break more boundaries and help others move forward in their lives, realise their dreams and exceed my and their limitations. This challenge I am about to embark on is certainly hard, but I’m excited and driven by the prospect of creating history. When so many elements are out of my control, having failsafe equipment is a necessity and I couldn’t be more confident in having Bremont as my timing partner.” From the launch of the Supermarine range some ten years ago, the Bremont dive watch collection is now a well-established and recognisable part of the Bremont offering. Inspired by aviation principles and named as a tribute to the iconic British aircraft manufacturer responsible for the Supermarine S6B Schneider Trophy Seaplane and of course the incredible Supermarine Spitfire, each Bremont Supermarine is built to be thoroughly robust. Manufactured using Bremont’s Trip-Tick® case construction, each of the brand’s specialised dive watches houses beautifully finished and chronometer-tested movements. The new S300
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White adds to the other 40mm dive watches which were introduced in 2017 to meet a demand for a professional dive watch in a slightly smaller iteration. The S300 line specifically nods to the Type 300, the first ever Spitfire prototype from the 1930s, from which was born one of Britain’s most iconic aircraft.
Having proven incredibly popular since launch, introducing the S300 White into the mix is the perfect counterpart to the other darker dialled variants within the line. The contrasting blue ceramic bezel sets off the lighter dial beautifully and matches the blue indexes and two tone Nato strap. In keeping with the existing models, the S300 White features a unidirectional bezel, Super-LumiNova® hands and the 40mm steel case is decorated with the silhouette of the original Supermarine aircraft on the back. Bremont Co-Founder, Nick English: “The original S300 already has some serious mountaineering credibility, having been tested by long-standing Bremont ambassador Jake Meyer in 2018 when he summitted K2. We’re so fortunate to work with such inspiring people and are constantly amazed by the incredible feats of our ambassadors. What Nims is setting out to achieve is nothing short of extraordinary, particularly if he manages to smash the previous record of 7 years, 11 months and 14 days to just 7 months. There’s an inherent grit and determination that a military background instils, and you can certainly see that in Nims. We’re thrilled to be supporting him and are looking forward to adding to the mountaineering legacy of the S300.”
S 300/ WH
“I grew up with British Gurkha and Special Forces heritage, it’s an honour to represent what I believe is the ‘best of British’ in teaming up with this pre-eminent British watch company in their endeavour to reinvigorate the British watch industry. Project Possible 14/7 is a time sensitive mission and I look forward to testing the S300 to the next level, where no man or woman has taken it before.” Nims, Bremont ambassador
B R E M O N T The S OBremont LO -3 4
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SOLO-34/LC line is named in honour of arguably one of the most remarkable female pilots of WWII, Lettice Curtis.
Introducing:
SOLO-34 Bremont updates its chronometer collection for women with the introduction of the Bremont SOLO-34.
Bremont is refreshing its collection of ladies’ mechanical chronometers with the introduction of the new Bremont SOLO-34. Building upon the continued interest in the women’s range, the brand has redeveloped the elegant timepiece in a slightly larger 34mm case size. The chronometer-rated SOLO-34 collection is built using beautifully polished stainless steel and boasts two different dial designs. The AJ line has the more modern aesthetic with applied index markers and named in honour of Amy Johnson, who flew her DH-60 Gypsy Moth from England to Australia in 1930. The addition of a mother-of-pearl dial is not only new to the women’s offering but is also something entirely new for the brand. Complementing this design is the classic and timeless LC timepiece with its elegant, applied Roman numerals adorning the dial. Named after Lettice Curtis, the SOLO-34/LC celebrates arguably the most remarkable female pilot of the Second World War who flew a wide range of military combat aircraft with the Air Transport Auxiliary and was the first woman to qualify to fly a four-engine bomber. Bremont Co-Founder, Giles English: “We have seen increasing interest in our smaller SOLO ranges and are therefore pleased to offer this new case size with updated movement, improving on the former SOLO-32 editions. Producing accurate, chronometerrated, durable and stylish watches is something we pride ourselves on at Bremont and we feel the new SOLO-34 timepieces will deliver on every level. We’re looking forward to adding further to our women’s collection in the future.” The beautifully finished BE-92AV automatic movement, with 42-hour power reserve, can be seen through the open case back and is housed in a 34mm case that is a little over 10.5mm in thickness. The watches are manufactured using Bremont’s trademarked Trip-Tick® case construction and, as with other core collection timepieces, the polished SOLO-34 steel cases will undergo a similar hardening treatment to 2,000 Vickers. Originally inspired from a technique used widely in the aerospace industry, the signature coating provides high impact resistance whilst maintaining its polished surface finish.
The convex sapphire crystal is treated with nine layers of anti-reflective coating applied to both sides of the glass for increased legibility. The high standard of finish and attention to detail can be seen in the meticulous machining of the three-part cases which take considerable time and skill to apply. The SOLO-34 range of watches will be available on a variety of straps as well WATCH as a polished stainless steel bracelet.
SOLO-34/AJ-BK
SOLO-34/AJ-WH
SO LO - 34 / LC-W H
SO LO - 34 /A J - M P
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10 YEARS OF THE MB
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Introducing:
MBIII LIMITED EDITION Bremont launches anniversary MB timepiece celebrating 10 years of working with Martin-Baker.
10 years on from the launch of the Bremont MB range, a partnership which has not only become synonymous with the Bremont brand, but which celebrates pioneering British engineering, the luxury British watch company introduces the anniversary MBIII/WH GMT chronometer. The new white dialled MBIII, limited to only 310 pieces, has been designed and built to mark the 10th Anniversary since the release of Bremont’s first MB watch back in 2009. Martin-Baker, the British aviation company responsible for supplying over 70% of the western world’s Air Forces with fighter ejection seat technology, is at the very pinnacle of British engineering and innovation; the now iconic Bremont MB range has redefined the aviation watch world. Martin-Baker first approached Bremont to create the definitive aviation watch in 2007. More than simply putting a logo on a dial, they wanted to challenge conventional mechanical watch design and create a timepiece which could withstand the same rigorous testing programme as the ejection seats themselves. Two years later, in 2009, the Bremont MBI was born. Whilst the MBI remains solely for pilots who have ejected from an aircraft using a Martin-Baker seat, the MBII and MBIII are available to all and have become Bremont best sellers. Its unique case design, distinct coloured barrels, and ground-breaking technical features have made it an instant favourite among aviators in the military and civilian worlds alike. The new Limited Edition MBIII has GMT functionality operated by a skilfully manufactured inner Roto-Click® bezel which has a series of minute ball-bearings, with microns of tolerance, to achieve a very satisfying 48-clicks with one full rotation of the bezel. The dial bears the ejection danger triangle logo displayed proudly at 6 o’clock, and the case back features an etching of the state-of-the-art MK16 seat, from the F-35 fighter jet. The stainless steel 43mm case, machined at Bremont’s manufacturing facility near Henley-on-Thames in the UK, is complemented by its knurled effect titanium case middle. The knurled barrel, inspired by components on the ejection seats
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themselves, has become signature to the MB design together with the yellow and black loop at the end of the second hand referencing the ejection pull handle. The watch houses a beautifully finished chronometerrated BE-93-2AV mechanical movement. Andrew Martin of Martin-Baker, “We take precision engineering and quality extremely seriously, the standards to which we have to work determine the integrity of a device that is the difference between life and death. To have worked with another British company over the past decade which shares the same work ethic and passion for the best of British engineering has been very special indeed and has led to us creating something truly unique in the watch space. I am incredibly proud of what we have achieved together to date; the sheer numbers of very happy military and civilian air-crew out there wearing the Bremont MB range says it all.” The intensive and extensive testing schedule that the watches needed to undergo was a prerequisite, and so determined the necessity for a robust and over-engineered MB design. Both the movement and mechanism of the Martin-Baker have been designed to ‘float’ in a controlled manner within the Bremont patented Trip-Tick® case by attaching it to the inner case via a flexible ring. In doing so, shocks to the movement are minimised and shock energy absorbed enabling the watch to survive extreme G forces from live ejection launch testing. Additionally, the inner case that encloses the movement of the Bremont Martin-Baker has the
The MB range has been put through rigorous testing including live ejection.
The case back of the new MB features an etching of the state-of-the-art MK16 seat from the F-35 fighter jet.
function of an anti-magnetic shield; made from soft iron it has been designed to work as a ‘Faraday-Cage’ making the watch resistant to extreme magnetic fields. Truly ‘Tested Beyond Endurance’, some other testing that the watches undergo include being held in an Altitude Test Chamber to simulate taking them up to 100,000 feet for 60 minutes before being rapidly brought down again. The Aircraft Carrier Deck Test simulates the level of salt fog and humidity that an aircraft carrier deck would endure during a 6-month tour; exposure to salt, and then drying for 96 hours, tests the watches against corrosion and the binding of moving parts. Prototype watches are put through extreme vibration testing where, during a 4-hour test, they experience the level of vibration on an aircraft over the course of a 30-year lifespan. Extreme temperature endurance testing ensures the watches still function at temperatures as low as -40° C and up to +40° C whilst tests such as the MultiFunctional Operators Seat simulate a dynamic forward crash at over 18G, moving at 42ft per second. Bremont Co-Founder Nick English comments, “I cannot believe 10 years have already passed since the first MB watch was released. I have nothing but complete awe for what Martin-Baker has accomplished for the aerospace industry and to have done so on British soil. They are undoubtedly one of the most impressive engineering companies today and are world leaders in their field. The MB range has become a musthave for any serious collector, the story and indeed the product speak for themselves.”
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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BREMONT CONTINUES TO EXPAND ITS PRODUCTION FACILITY Bremont has made considerable new investment in CNC and case-finishing machinery. The company now has one of the most advanced micro machining facilities in the country for the manufacturing of small tolerance metal components. Bremont is making considerable investment in its UK watchmaking and manufacturing. Tens of thousands of parts are being made to extremely small tolerances each year at Bremont’s facilities near Henley-on-Thames. New investment will allow Bremont to double its manufacturing capabilities and will provide the opportunity to develop new components. Bremont has invested in a new CT500 Grinding Machine, which was delivered at the end of January 2019. This machine will not only give Bremont the opportunity to develop new components, but will significantly increase production allowing the firm to meet the growing demand. These machines carry out the final grinding operations before the components are manually polished or satin finished.
These are exciting developments for Bremont as the British watch company continues to bring back as much of the watchmaking process to the UK as possible.
Further investment in an additional NTX1000 Machining Centre has been made and the new machine will facilitate in increasing production levels and developing new components. The NTX1000 handles the initial milling and turning stage of producing top bezels from a Ă˜60mm 316L stainless steel bar.
Movement components are milled out of brass plates on a vertical mill.
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The latest CT500 in action showing the external grinding of an MB top bezel, an operation which utilises 6 axes of complex 3D profile machining. Additionally this machining operation will grind between the strap lugs and drill the 4 holes in between for the spring bars.
All polished top bezels are hand-finished by an extremely skilled team who have spent years perfecting this fine art and can achieve the high quality standards that Bremont insists on.
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NEWS FROM THE WORLD OF BREMONT
Briefing:
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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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OFF- ROAD
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DAKAR RALLY For those who are not familiar with the Dakar Rally, this annual off-road endurance event has been dubbed the world’s toughest motor race and sees its competitors traverse across tough terrains in true off-road vehicles. Now held in South America, each stage of the race can cover distances of up to 900 kilometres per day across terrains including dunes, mud, rocks, camel grass and erg. Among those competing in this year’s race was British driver Harry Hunt. Born and raised in London, Harry comes from a family of motorsport enthusiasts and learnt how to ride a motorbike and a quad bike on a farm when he was only 6 years old. The mix of off-road rallying and adventure at Dakar ticks all the boxes for Harry. As we followed Harry’s journey in the world’s toughest motor race, we asked him to tell us about his car, his navigator and what the rally meant for him… WHAT IS SPECIAL ABOUT THE CAR YOU DROVE? My car is a Peugeot 3008DKR Maxi based on a Peugeot 3008 road car although not a huge amount has been transferred across. The engine is a diesel 3.0 litre V6 and weights 1800kgs. The body panels are 100% carbon fibre. TELL US ABOUT YOUR NAVIGATOR AND HOW YOU BECAME PARTNERS FOR THE DAKAR RALLY... My navigator is Wouter Rosegaar, he is Dutch and an extremely well respected navigator with huge amounts of experience. I think he’s done Dakar 12 times and he is only 35 years old. WHAT WERE THE BIGGEST CHALLENGES YOU FACED? This year’s Dakar rally was held in Peru and the terrain consisted mostly of sand dunes. Sand dunes are very tricky to navigate and hard to read. They can catch you out easily especially at midday when you have 12 o’clock sun and no shadows to give any reference. Also, the long stages and days take their toll on the body physically. IS THERE A PARTICULAR TYPE OF TERRAIN YOU PREFER? Being from England I love driving on mud and slippery surfaces but unfortunately this is not common on the Dakar Rally. I prefer fast gravel/sand mountain tracks which were towards the end of the rally but unfortunately I didn’t make it that far due to a back injury. HOW DID YOU TRAIN FOR DAKAR? As Dakar is such a long race with huge stage distances you have to be physically fit. I mainly did cardio work to prepare for the rally - rowing and cycling is my preferred exercise. I occasionally used a heat chamber to train in as this imitates what the temperature in the car can get up to, around 40 degrees. Unfortunately, Harry had to retire from the rally early due to a back injury after rolling his car. He hopes to be back again in 2020, so keep an eye on him as he prepares for his comeback.
Briefing: BRIAN WOOD MC: TRULY TESTED BEYOND ENDURANCE ‘Tested beyond endurance’ on the frontline of battle and in the courtroom defending his honour, friend of Bremont, Brian Wood MC, tells us what the term really means to him... “During my 16 year career in the military, I faced many challenges from training soldiers and leading them into battle to operations and high intensity combat. I had to make life-or-death decisions under pressure and up against the clock. At the battle of Danny Boy I had to make a splitsecond decision to lead my men into enemy fire in the first bayonet charge by British soldiers in 25 years. We were under great danger but we defeated the enemy without any serious casualties that day. Outside of the military, I faced the mental battle of adjusting to family life with PTSD and then nearly a decade later, I faced the allegations against me for hideous war crimes.”
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Following his courageous leadership in Iraq, Brian was awarded the Military Cross, one of Britain’s highest awards for gallantry in combat, by Her Majesty the Queen. His testimony in court for the allegations against him led to full vindication and Brian has now documented his story in his book ‘Double Crossed.’ Stay tuned for more with Brian this year.
E X T R AO R D I N A RY I N D I V I D UA L S
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WAR HERO AND TRIPLE AMPUTEE MARK ORMROD AUCTIONED HIS BREMONT RAISING £30,000 For the second year running, remarkable war veteran Mark Ormrod generously offered his Bremont RMC350 up for auction in honour of a cause close to his heart. In 2017 the former Royal Marine Commando raised an incredible £25,000 to then have the watch given back to him. Mark offered the watch up for auction at the same annual event and trumped the money raised in 2017 by a further £5,000 only to be reunited with his cherished watch once again. The 2017 Royal Marines Charity Gala saw Lord Jeffrey Archer host an animated live auction post dinner which included a lot for Mark Ormrod’s Bremont RMC350 mechanical timepiece. The special edition military watch, commissioned to commemorate the 350th anniversary of The Royal Marines, became the centre of a bidding war with the price soaring up to £12,500. In a fantastic twist of fate, the leading bidder suggested they should both contribute and further return the watch to Mark, to which they both agreed, doubling the money raised by the watch to £25,000. Mark was of course humbled to have his Bremont returned to him, which is uniquely engraved with his service number, but it didn’t stop him generously donating his watch again at the latest charity event aiming to raise money and awareness for the Royal Marines Charity organisation and all of the families affected. With an incredible and unprecedented repeat of last year’s generous proceedings, two individual
donors reached an agreement to each give £15,000 for Mark’s watch, promising to then give him his watch back. With anticipated gift aid from these phenomenal donations the charity hopes that, to date, Mark’s watch will have raised £61,500. The money raised contributed to the huge £923,000 total sum from the evening’s festivities. Catherine Villeneuve, Bremont’s Head of Military and Special Projects commented, “The exclusivity of Bremont’s military watches has always drawn an incredible amount of interest because they’re so unique and only available for the military to purchase. It is very rare to see these up for auction, and the fact that two years running donors have generously given to the charity as well as allowing Mark to keep this special timepiece is extraordinary. We are incredibly proud to support the military where we can and to know that this watch has now helped to raise over £50,000 to this important cause is very special indeed”. Former Royal Marine Commando Mark Ormrod, was on a routine foot patrol in Helmand Province in 2007 when he stepped on and triggered an Improvised Explosive Device. He lost both his legs and right arm. Determined not to let it define him, Mark now competes in cycling, rowing and swimming as a key part in his recovery journey. He saw huge success during the Invictus Games winning medals in both 2017 and 2018. In 2017 he was congratulated by HRH Prince Harry for his performance, receiving the Jaguar Award for Exceptional Performance.
BREMONT BOOK CLUB The Bremont Book Club is a new feature of the Briefing. In each issue, we will be sharing books handpicked by Bremont that highlight how extraordinary individuals have been tested beyond endurance in their work and life. In this first issue, Bremont recommends Jason Fox’s ‘Battle Scars; A Story of War and All That Follows’ and Brian Wood’s ‘Double Crossed’. Foxy served with the SBS for over a decade, thriving on the close bonds of the Special Forces brotherhood and the ‘death or glory’ nature of their missions. ‘Battle Scars’ tells the story of his career as an elite operator, from the gunfights, hostage rescues, daring escapes and heroic endeavours that defined his service, to a battle of a very different kind: the psychological devastation of combat that ultimately forced him to leave the military, and the hard reality of what takes place in the mind of a man once a career of imagined invincibility has come to an end. ‘Double Crossed’ is a compelling memoir that follows the journey of Brian Wood MC through the infamous battle of Danny Boy. A story that is both powerful and moving, Brian recounts the three battles in his life, from being ambushed with no cover in one of the most famous contemporary battles, the mental struggle to adjusting at home and to being falsely accused of horrific war crimes.
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NEWS FROM HENLEY
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TIMING ON THE THAMES British Watch Company, Bremont, is proud to be the Official Timekeeper to the Henley Royal Regatta for the third year running. An organisation with an established rowing heritage, 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 3rd – 7th July and Bremont will again be exhibiting its collection of timepieces at the event which is a stonesthrow from its 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 2018’s event unfolded and for more information visit: Bremont.com/Henley-Regatta
PROUD TO SUPPORT THOSE WHO SERVE:
BREMONT IS THE FIRST WATCH COMPANY TO SIGN THE ARMED FORCES COVENANT DEC EMB ER 2 0 18
BREMONT IS THE FIRST WATCH COMPANY TO SIGN THE ARMED FORCES COVENANT
Bremont Co-Founder Nick English and Air The signing took place at Bremont’s Commodore John Wariner met for the official Headquarters in Henley-on-Thames and is the first signing of the Armed Forces Covenant, a promise time an Armed Forces Covenant has been signed from Bremont to treat those who serve or who by any watch brand. Air Commodore John Wariner, have servedNick in the armedand forces, and their Air Officer Force at High Bremont Co-founder English Air Commodore John Wariner met A6/A6 this week forCommander the officialbased signing of the families, fairly. Wycombe signed on behalf of Defence to signify thein Armed Forces Covenant, a promise from Bremont Watch Company to treat those who serve or who have served
start of a mutual relationship in support of Defence which will be further developed over time. The Armed Forces Covenant is tailored to each business, organisation or charity that signs and can include a whole range of pledges usually including the employment of veterans, service leavers, spouses and partners; providing a supportive environment for employees wishing to be Reservists; and taking part in Armed Forces Day events. It is a ‘living’ document which can be amended and updated at any time. Nick English said “As a business we have always been incredibly proud to support those who serve and the growth of our military division over the years is testament to this. As a British brand, working with the British Armed Forces has been a hugely important part of our military journey; we’ve enjoyed a close connection with Her Majesty’s Forces which has been a great privilege.” English continues; “We pledge to continue our charity work with the military and we believe it’s hugely important for companies like Bremont to support the gallant men and women who serve this great nation. Bremont has proudly worked with Invictus, Walking With The Wounded and the Royal Air Forces Association amongst others so this feels like a natural and very special next step.” Air Commodore John Wariner said “I was delighted to sign the Armed Forces Covenant with Bremont. It is clear that Bremont has a fantastic approach to Armed Forces personnel and are a role model employer who recognise the terrific value of their people who have served previously, and those that continue to enjoy Reserve Service.”
the armed forces, and their families, fairly.
The signing took place at Bremont’s Headquarters in Henley-on-Thames and is the first time an Armed Forces Covenant has been signed by any watch brand. Air Commodore John Wariner, Air Officer A6/A6 Force Commander based at High Wycombe signed on behalf of Defence to signify the start of a mutual relationship in support of Defence which will be further developed over time.
For further press information, images or to arrange interviews please contact Natalie Keigher natalie@bremont.com ∙ Telephone +44 0845 0940 690 ∙ www.bremont.com
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#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
50 YEARS OF CONCORDE
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TIME FLIES Concorde made the dream of supersonic travel a reality. She was a landmark in aircraft design and her incredible achievements make her a classic example of British engineering at its finest. Only 20 Concordes were built, seven of which entered service with British Airways. Concorde was the flagship of their fleet. She was cutting edge throughout her 27 year service and nothing has rivalled her since. She halved the time of Transatlantic flights, setting a world record of 2 hours 52 minutes and 59 seconds from New York to London and enabled civilians to break the sound barrier in comfort and style. Her pilots witnessed the sun rising in the west. When she was finally withdrawn from service in 2003, hundreds of thousands turned out to wish her a fond farewell. Whilst she undoubtedly saved her passengers time, there were many who wished the flight lasted longer. Here reads the fond memories of those who experienced first-hand one of the most famous and iconic planes in history - Concorde. "I was a senior agent on the ground working as a part of the Concorde Premium Team in T4. As for the special touches; the suiter service was always very slick, brand tags that were genuinely nice and well made, special boarding passes, the Concorde cellar as well as the cutlery and crockery from Wedgwood. I always remember the early mornings in the Concorde Room with the sound of champagne corks and a sprinkling of A-listers as well as business leaders. It felt like a secret club, with the team and customers often on first name terms. I remember Lord Marshall sat on the reception desk with me once, laughing with customers about the 'trainee' which he genuinely seemed to enjoy also. It felt special and we felt special being allowed to be a part of it." "I only managed to fly on Concorde once due to a family emergency. I was working in NYC at
BREMONT EVENTS
the time for BA and was at a meeting in Waterside when my wife went into labour. The CFO had to be found to authorise the use of Concorde to get back to NYC asap and by the time this came through I was rushed to the airport through the lounge and straight onto the aircraft. I had my video camera with me and filmed the curvature of the earth and the MACH2 sign. When I got back to my apartment, pre mobile phones, my wife was lying on the sofa - false alarm (she had pulled a muscle at yoga)." "I was crew on Concorde and there are a few of us still flying. A few memories include shaking hands with Michael Jackson. Kneeling down to pick something off the floor with Madonna and Magic Johnson both either side staring at me. The once in a lifetime passengers that had saved for a very long time for that special trip. It was a very special aircraft to work on with amazing crew and passengers." "I did 3 trips on Concorde and like many staff I travelled as a courier taking over Cargo docs. My first trip was a day return…Concorde both ways. I took the bus to work as normal but then flew to New York and back in the same day! Quite an experience. Only staff could travel as a courier, so on another trip my wife took a subsonic flight whilst I took Concorde. I was there at T4 to wave her off at 08:45am, hung around for a couple of hours, then caught the morning Concorde at 10:30, overtook her somewhere over the Atlantic and arrived at JFK in time to meet her as she arrived. Quite a plane!" "I remember feeling like I was in a fighter jet as the aircraft banked out over Jamaica Bay right after take off, a move that I was reminded of every day, when several years later I had transferred to JFK. Every afternoon as I awaited the staff shuttle into the terminal for my 14:00 shift start, the afternoon departure would hit the air about 13:30 and set off all the car alarms in the staff parking lot. It's strange to think that in those days, the Concorde was just a daily part of one's life as a BA employee at JFK. And unless I'm imagining it... I'm sure I saw the curvature of the earth." With 2019 marking the centenary of British Airways and the 50th anniversary of Concorde, Bremont’s unique timepiece celebrates these two iconic names in British aviation. To learn more about the Bremont Supersonic, visit www.bremont.com/pages/supersonic or join us in one of our boutiques to view the watch up close over a glass of fizz.
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
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:
#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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Inside Bremont:
BUYING BREMONT Get the full Bremont experience – drop into one of our boutiques for a glass of fizz and to discover the full collection. A LT1 -ZT/51
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 five additional boutiques. Simply book an appointment or stop by to chat with our friendly staff and discover our collection of watches and accessories.
VISIT AN AUTHORISED DEALER You can purchase your Bremont through our global network of Authorised Dealers. Find your nearest online at: www.bremont.com/stores
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CANARY WHARF BOUTIQUE 8A Canary Wharf Shopping Centre Cabot Place, West Canary Wharf, London E14 4QT 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
AUSTRALIA BOUTIQUE St Collins Lane, 260 Collins Street, Melbourne Tel: +61 1300 36 2200 Email: bremont.mel@bremont.com.au
Shop the collection online at Bremont.com
INSIDE BREMONT
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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 Bremont verges 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 JULES, BREMONT PRODUCTION TEAM HOW DID YOU GET YOUR JOB AT BREMONT? I met Nick English when he first came to Henley as I did a freelance accessories project for him. So I knew about Bremont when it first began. Nick would always talk about the company enthusiastically when we saw him and I was fascinated by it. I then saw an advert for a job role here and had the opportunity to come for a bench test and I thought I’ll just turn up and see what happens. I took the bench test and passed it and two weeks later I came to Bremont. In the meantime, Nick had seen my CV on the table and recognised the name so when I came in, he was there and I was very embarrassed, but we had a good laugh about it and that was nearly five years ago.
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 the military. Bremont has worked closely with them for a number of years.
WHAT DOES A TYPICAL DAY AT WORK LOOK LIKE TO YOU? Production at Bremont relies very heavily on teamwork because we have precise, exacting standards. My role is production support team leader. The day usually starts with testing and looking at all the watches that I have in my care. It’s a three day process, the first day will be setting watches on our new winder, the second day is visually testing for 24 hours and checking all their calibrations and the third day will be doing power reserve tests and deciding whether they will
pass or fail. I also spend my day making up cases so I might make up a kit of say 20 of the S500 cases and then they will be wet tested and pressure tested. I also take many of the tours of Bremont HQ so I could be showing the production workshop to a group of military pilots one day and a retailer group the next. WHAT WAS YOUR PREVIOUS CAREER? I graduated from the Royal College of Art with a Masters degree in jewellery design and making and I worked in the industry for many years. I also taught in leading polytechnics and universities and I ran my own business so I was designing and showcasing my own work nationally and internationally. Jewellery demands fine precision which relates very closely to the watch industry. It’s not often that you get the opportunity to take your skills in one area and directly transfer them to another. WHAT BREMONT DO YOU WEAR AND WHY? I’m very proud to wear a Bremont U-2 Blue which I built myself. I love its very clear dial and neat date window. It has a Roto-Click® which is very useful when I’m timing watches or when I’m in the kitchen boiling an egg! I wear a lot of classic navy so it really does fit effortlessly into my wardrobe. DO YOU HAVE A FAVOURITE WATCH TO BUILD?
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.
Bremont is proud that all watches are hand-built in the UK at the company’s workshop in Henley-on-Thames.
I would say the ALT1-ZT/51 is my favourite to build because it has seven hands that you have to apply absolutely perfectly and it has a black dial which means it’s incredibly challenging to remove all the dust and contamination. It has a great Roto-Click®, regulates like a dream and looks really impressive when finished. I’m glad it’s popular with everyone else too.
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