CONTENTS THE PA RT N E R S HI P MART I N - BA KE R
3
5
TESTE D BE YO N D E ND U R A N C E THE B R E M O N T M B R A N G E
17
9
BREMONT MB | 3
THE PARTNERSHIP Martin-Baker is a British aviation company responsible for supplying 70% of the world’s Air Forces with fighter ejection seat technology. They first approached Bremont to create the definitive aviation watch in 2007. More than simply putting a logo on an existing model, the watch had to withstand the same rigorous testing programme as the ejection seats themselves. Two years later, the Bremont MBI was born. The limited edition MBI remains solely for pilots who have ejected from an aircraft using a Martin-Baker seat whereas the MBII and MBIII are available to all. The robust nature of the MB watch range is not only down to the testing, but the over engineered design of the watch. Both the movement and mechanism of the MB have been designed to ‘float’ in a controlled manner within the Bremont patented Trip-Tick® case by attaching the inner case to it via a flexible ring. In doing so, shocks to the movement are minimised and shock energy absorbed. As well as this, the inner case that encloses the movement of the Bremont MB has the function of an anti-magnetic shield. This inner case is made from soft iron MBIII
and has been created to work as a ‘Faraday-Cage’ making the Bremont MB watch immune to extreme magnetic fields, and a timepiece that has truly been ‘Tested Beyond Endurance’.
BREMONT MB | 5
MARTIN-BAKER ‘Martin’s Aircraft Works’ was founded by Sir James Martin as an aircraft manufacturer in 1934. The factory was established in 1929 and four aircraft prototypes were produced: MB1, MB2, MB3 and MB5. It was during the designing and testing of the MB1 that James Martin and Captain Valentine Baker started their friendship and ‘Martin-Baker Aircraft Company Ltd’ was established. On 12th September 1942, during a test flight of the Martin-Baker MB3 prototype, Captain Valentine Baker was tragically killed. The engine seized and he was forced to make an emergency landing, during which the aircraft’s wing tip struck a tree stump, causing the aircraft to cartwheel. Captain Valentine Baker’s death greatly affected Sir James Martin, so much so that pilot safety became his primary focus. In 1944, James Martin was invited by the then Ministry of Aircraft Production to investigate the All Martin-Baker products are of the highest quality and reliability and will always perform as designed – first time, every time.
practicability of providing fighter aircraft with a means of assisted escape for the pilot. After investigating alternative schemes, it soon became apparent that the most attractive means would be by forced ejection of the seat with the occupant sitting in it, and that the most effective way of doing this would be by an explosive charge. The Martin-Baker ejection seat was then born.
6 | BREMONT MB
With facilities spanning the globe, Martin-Baker has established an extensive range of unique, specialist engineering capabilities. They ensure that all MartinBaker products are of the highest quality and reliability and will always perform as designed – first time, every time. Past and continued success has defined the iconic British company as the number one choice for over 88 air forces throughout the world, fitted in over 53 aircraft types. This equipment may represent a crew member’s last chance to survive and there can be no compromise. Every facet of the safety system must work perfectly to safeguard a precious life. Furthermore, aircrew members must reach the ground uninjured, especially in a hostile environment, if they are to have the best possible chance of survival. This understanding is reinforced by over 60 years of experience dating back to the first live ejection in 1949. So it comes as no surprise that MartinBaker is the only company worldwide able to offer a fully-integrated escape system that satisfies the very latest in pilot operational capability and safety standards. To date, Martin-Baker has saved over 7,488 aircrew lives from more than 88 Air Forces world wide.
BREMONT MB | 7
I would like to thank Martin-Baker for saving my life recently. I am sitting here with my family because of the amazing performance of my seat. The accident happened on 23rd July 2010 at approximately 1810Z. The jet developed a problem and I was forced to eject at around 30 metres. It was way too close but the seat saved my life. Words cannot express how I feel right now, but thank you. – Capt. Brian Bews Ejectee #5668
Capt. Brian Bews ejection from 23rd July 2010.
8 | BREMONT MB
SECS SECS SECS
0.3
SECS
0.1
SECS
0.2
0.4
0.5
BREMONT MB | 9
TESTED BEYOND ENDURANCE Working with Martin-Baker, Bremont were able to use the same
SECS
0.6
SECS
0.8
rigorous testing techniques as the ejection seats themselves, ensuring the watches ability to sustain extremes of heat, cold and altitude as well as aggressive vibration.
LIVE EJECTION testing The Bremont MB range has successfully endured 12-30g throughout the 1st second of ejection. 1. Catapult Phase 12-15G 2. Rocket Motor 12-15G 3. Drogue Stability 30G (600kt sled test) 4. Parachute Deployment 15G This image depicts the processes that occur during a high speed, zero altitude ejection.
1 0 | BREMONT MB
ALTITUDE TESTING The watches are held in an Altitude Test Chamber to simulate taking them up to 100,000 feet for 60 minutes before being rapidly brought down again.
BREMONT MB | 11
aircraf t carrier deck test The test pictured 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.
12 | BREMONT MB
VIBRATION TESTING The test shakes and vibrates the watch on the wrist of a test dummy to simulate a 30 year life of an aircraft.
BREMONT MB | 13
E XTREME TEMPERATURE ENDURANCE The Bremont MB watches have been subjected to Temperature Testing to ensure they continue to operate in extreme conditions. The watch is held for one day in temperatures as low as -40째 C, and then up to +40째 C for a further 24 hours.
14 | BREMONT MB
BREMONT MB | 15
MFOS CRASHWORTHY TEST The Multi-functional Operators seat (MFOS) is used in helicopters such as the Blackhawk. This particular test pictured was simulating a dynamic forward crash at over 18G, moving at 42ft per second.
To watch the Martin-Baker live testing footage visit: www.bremont.com/testing
16 | BREMONT MB
BREMONT MB | 17
THE BR EMONT MB RANGE The Bremont MB range was designed to be quite simply the definitive British aviation chronometer. The MBI is only available to those individuals who have ejected using an MB ejection seat and can be quickly identified by its red aluminium barrel, whereas the MBII and MBIII are available to all. The MB movement is protected by an anti-magnetic Faraday cage and a specifically designed anti-shock case mount. The range had to withstand the same rigorous testing as the seats themselves.
18 | BREMONT MB
BREMONT MBI Movement
Modified calibre 11 ½’’’ BE-36AE automatic chronometer, 25 jewels, Glucydur balance. Anachron balance spring, Nivaflex 1 mainspring, 28,800 bph, 38-hour power reserve, Bremont moulded and skeletised decorated rotor. Functions
Hour/minute/second, date and day at 3H. Case
Hardened stainless steel Trip-Tick® case construction. Inner soft iron anti-magnetic Faraday cage to protect movement. Protective patented anti-shock movement mount. The MBI comes with a “Martin-Baker Red” centre barrel, exclusive to this watch. Patented inner bi-directional Roto-Click® bezel. Operated by crown at 4H. Case diameter 43mm, lug width 22mm. Stainless steel decorated case back, 6 stainless steel screws with polished heads. DIAL
Black metal dial. Super-LumiNova® coated numerals and hands. CRYSTAL
Domed anti-reflective, scratch resistant sapphire crystal. Water resistance
10 ATM, 100 metres. Strap/Bracelet
Calf-skin leather and canvas NATO strap. Certification
Individually serial numbered with accompanying C.O.S.C certification.
BREMONT MB | 19
The Bremont MBI is a unique and bespoke watch available to Martin-Baker ejectees only and can be quickly identified by its red aluminium barrel. Every watch is engraved with a personal engraving of up to 10 digits consisting of their call sign, name, or date, and will feature the individual’s MartinBaker Tie Club membership number. If you are interested in ordering one of these very special timepieces please contact military@bremont.com to request an order form and begin the approval process.
MBI
20 | BREMONT MB
BREMONT MB | 21
The reason fighter pilots are so effective in combat is due to their equipment and training. The pilot hurls his body through the skies at incredible speeds with the knowledge that if something goes wrong he can save his life by ejecting from his plane. Martin-Baker saved my life with their ejection seat. I view that day as my second birthday. Every time I look at my MBI I am reminded of the second chance at life Martin-Baker has given me, and how lucky I am to have Bremont honour that day with my Tested Beyond Endurance timepiece, the MBI. – Capt. James Leslie Ejectee #5702
2 2 | BREMONT MB
BREMONT MBII Movement
Modified calibre 11 ½’’’ BE-36AE automatic chronometer, 25 jewels, Glucydur balance. Anachron balance spring, Nivaflex 1 mainspring, 28,800 bph, 38-hour power reserve, Bremont moulded and skeletised decorated rotor. Functions
Hour/minute/second, date and day at 3H. Case
Hardened stainless steel Trip-Tick® case construction. Inner soft iron anti-magnetic Faraday cage to protect movement. Protective patented anti-shock movement mount. Patented inner bi-directional Roto-Click® bezel operated by crown at 4H. Case diameter 43mm, lug width 22mm. Stainless steel decorated case back, 6 stainless steel screws with polished heads. DIAL
Black or White metal dial. Super-LumiNova® coated numerals and hands. CRYSTAL
Domed anti-reflective, scratch resistant sapphire crystal. Water resistance
10 ATM, 100 metres. Strap/Bracelet
Calf-skin leather strap and Temple Island rubber strap. Certification
Individually serial numbered with accompanying C.O.S.C certification.
BREMONT MB | 2 3
ORANGE
MBII-BK
MBII-WH
GREEN
ANTHRACITE
24 | BREMONT MB
BREMONT MBIII Movement
Modified calibre 13 1/4” BE-93-2AE automatic chronometer, 21 jewels, Glucydur balance, Anachron balance spring, Nivaflex 1 mainspring, 28,800 bph, 42-hour power reserve, Bremont moulded and skeletised decorated rotor. Functions
Hour/minute/second, date at 3H, 24H GMT hand. Case
Hardened stainless steel Trip-Tick® case construction. Inner soft iron anti-magnetic Faraday cage to protect movement. Protective patented anti-shock movement mount. Patented inner bi-directional Roto-Click® bezel. Operated by crown at 4H. Case diameter 43mm, lug width 22mm. Stainless steel decorated case back, 6 stainless steel screws with polished heads. DIAL
Black metal dial. Super-LumiNova® coated numerals and hands. CRYSTAL
Domed anti-reflective, scratch resistant sapphire crystal. Water resistance
10 ATM, 100 metres. Strap/Bracelet
Calf-skin leather strap and Temple Island rubber strap. Certification
Individually serial numbered with accompanying C.O.S.C certification.
BREMONT MB | 25
BRONZE
MBIII
ORANGE
ANTHRACITE
26 | BREMONT MB
IN SIDE THE BRE M ON T M B 1
Bremont Roto-ClickÂŽ 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.
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 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.
BREMONT MB | 27
MBIII/BZ
28 | BREMONT MB
Bremont Watch Company, PO BOX 4741, Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire, England RG9 9BZ Tel: +44 (0) 845 0940 690 Email: info@bremont.com Visit: www.bremont.com/testing TestedBeyondEndurance Bremont BremontWatches Photography Acknowledgements Martin-Baker, Michael Lam, Phil Broadhurst.
BREMONT.COM/ TESTING