Tested Beyond Endurance…

On July 17, 2012, UK-based Bremont hosted an event to celebrate the launch of its first boutique, located at 29 South Audley St. (Mayfair), London.  It was a milestone moment for the young brand, and one which caused me to realize that I was yet to discuss Bremont here on Perpetuelle.  Shame on me for just now getting to the brand,  because on more than a handful of occasions I have been told — and seen firsthand — that Bremont is making some superb watches and making great waves for such a young brand.  So here we go, with an inside look at the Bremont Watch Company as the brand makes its Perpetuelle debut.

Bremont was founded in 2002 by brothers Nick and Giles English, both watch and aviation enthusiasts.  In fact both are long-time pilots, taught and inspired by their father, Euan.  Euan’s tragic death in a plane crash in 1995 proved to be a tipping point in the brother’s lives, pushing them to live life in pursuit of their passions which ultimately led to the formation of their own watch company.

Giles (left) and Nick (right) English

Bremont’s beginnings in 2002 were humble, and the fledgling brand did not launch its collection of highly developed aviation inspired timepieces until 2007 — after 5 years in development.  Early on the brothers enlisted the support of Peter Roberts, now Bremont’s Technical director.  One of the very few British watchmakers to have been trainted at WOSTEP in Switzerland, Robers has advised Bremont on all elements and creation of Bremont’s timepieces, including the modification of some of Bremont’s watch movements.  A highly trained and skilled watchmaker, Mr. Roberts has worked with IWC (in Schaffhausen), Rolex (in Geneva), and as the Head of Watch-making at the Hackney Watch School in London where he taught many eminent watch experts such as Stephen Forsey and Peter Speake-Marin.

Bremont takes pride in its British roots and assembles and manufactures as much as it can in Britain.  For example, all Bremont watch cases are hardened in the UK under a proprietary process that gives them a hardness that is 7x standard watch-grade stainless steel. As well, every Bremont watch is delivered in a British hand-made leather watch wallet or roll, and some models arrive accompanied by a NATO styled nylon strap – again made in the UK.  Some Bremont pieces are built from the ground-up in the UK, such as the B1 clock, shown here:

Bremont B1 Clock

100% Designed and Built in the U.K.

In its workshops in Oxfordshire, England and in Biel-Bienne, Switzerland, all Bremont wristwatches, without exception, are heavily tested, adjusted and registered.  Unlike the majority of mechanical watch brands, Bremont is also very proud to offer a three-year guarantee on all of its watches.

A large part of Bremont’s ethos is been focused on the design, specification and quality of the materials used combined with its desire to produce a watch unrivalled in quality for the money.  Though Bremont’s movements are not mechanically unique (many movements are ETA-based) all are COSC chronometer certified (i.e. highly accurate), and the brand has found a way to further differentiate itself through the select use of high quality components and unique design.  As such Bremont has been able to command strong pricing for its watches (prices start around $4,000 US/2500 GBP), and some sold-out limited edition pieces have even fetched rates above their initial sales prices in the secondary market, something that does not happen for many brands, let alone one as young as Bremont.

All Bremont watches are chronometer certified (COSC)

Bremont is now one of the Top 20 chronometer producers in the world

When it comes to component quality, for example, Bremont uses the best available high quality Glucydur balance wheels (as opposed to the ‘elaborate’ nickel equivalent found in many high-end luxury watches); robust anti-reflective treatments (all Bremont’s have nine layers  found on both sides of its sapphire crystals); and specially hardened cases (which utilize the B-EBE2000 hardening technology which makes them, on average, 7 times harder and more scratch-resistant than its competitors).

Design-wise, unique touches such as propeller-shaped sub-dial hands and rotors are details you won’t find anywhere else.

With this combination of dedication to quality and distinct design, Bremont has put itself on the wish lists of watch enthusiasts around the world; it is no surprise then that since the launch of its first watches in 2007, Bremont has never looked back.

To best illustrate what has engendered such a loyal following for Bremont, let’s now take a look  at some of Bremont’s many impressive timepieces.  This is far from an inclusive list of models and many of these are limited edition pieces, but I believe they form a good cross-section of what one can expect from Bremont.

Bremont EP 120 (2008)

with parts from a battle-proven Supermarine Spitfire

Bremont P-51 (2010)

with parts from a battle-proven P-51 Mustang

Bremont SOLO (2011)

Bremont U-2 (2010)

Bremont ALT1-C Classic

While the English brother’s heart clearly lies in aviation, even producing watches for a number of military divisions around the world, the brand has had a compelling lineup of marine watches since 2009.  Not surprisingly the Supermarine collection has been a big hit.  Stay tuned for more to come in the superb Supermarine line, soon.

Bremont’s first marine watch (2009) – the Supermarine 500

In addition to aviation- and marine-inspired pieces, Bremont has proven adept at associating itself with other marquee brands and individuals who share in many of the same principles as the English brothers.  The Jaguar car company, Ronnie Wood (Rolling Stones guitarist), Ben Saunders (polar explorer), and Sara Campbell (world champion freediver), just to name a few.  Many celebrities including Orlando Bloom and Ewan McGregor have also taken a liking to Bremont watches, having been seen wearing them in public.

Ben Saunders (polar explorer)

Bremont Dashboard Clock for Jaguar XC-75 Supercar

Special B1 Clocks with Dials Hand Painted by Rolling Stones Guitarist Ronnie Wood

Orlando Bloom wearing Bremont, with Nick English

In summary, I think you can see that the future holds great promise the brothers Giles and Nick English and their 10-year old Bremont Watch Company.  One senses a level of ambition in Bremont that will rightly take it far beyond being just another niche, independent brand.

I know I have certainly enjoyed following the brand’s many achievements over the past few years, and I look forward to the future.  And with that with a proper introduction, I guess that the stage is set here at Perpetuelle for more regular coverage of the brand.  In fact, I will soon share with you some of Bremont’s exciting watches for 2012, including the Supermarine 2000 (a 2,000 meter water resistant marine watch) as well as a special edition North Sea Supermarine 500.  If you’ve come this far, thank you and I hope you enjoyed learning about the Bremont Watch Company.

More at http://www.bremont.com/