British timepiece maker, Bremont has launched its 2022 Townhouse Collection, homage to legends of WWII aviation and the brand’s classic dive pieces.
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Collection at ‘The Wing’ at the brand’s Henley-on-Thames headquarters.
The new collection comprises several series, including the Supermarine Jet and the S502 Jet.
It’s all about stealth with new additions to the Jet series, each finished with a sleek DLC (Diamond-Like Carbon) coated Trip-Tick® case for a robust yet tactical appearance.
In line with Bremont’s more technical Supermarine models, the two new timepieces incorporate certain vital functions required for extreme diving, in particular the uni-directional and bi-directional rotating bezels respectively and a protective patented antishock movement mount.
Bremont’s iconic ‘Jet’ black palette extends to a black rubber strap on both models or an optional black leather stitched strap on the S502 and each of the robust 43-millimetre timepieces houses a chronometer rated movement complete with a 42-hour power reserve.
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When operating under a cloak of darkness, senses are heightened, and visibility is key. As such, Bremont has integrated a high degree of blue emission Super-LumiNova® across both models.
Working with extreme adventurers and explorers has always been a key tenet of the Bremont brand DNA and a crucial part of the product testing.
For these specific models, Bremont has enlisted the help of two ex-Special Forces Operators and brand ambassadors to test the watches to the limit.
“I regularly operate in extreme diving conditions and most recently undertook an underwater mission to collect ice samples for a scientific mission in the Arctic Circle, only 450 miles from the North Pole,” said former Royal Marines Commando, extreme, remote and hostile locations expert, Aldo Kane.
“The reliability of my kit is what keeps me alive, there is no quick escape when you’re diving in the pitch black under ice. I must trust everything that I wear and depend upon it for survival.
“My watch is often the only light I can see in an otherwise completely dark and very unforgiving environment.”
Commemorating the 80th anniversary of the Lancaster Bomber and the historic Dambuster Raid, one of the most daring air operations in history. The Limited Edition Dambuster pays tribute to this remarkable feat of engineering and to those who paid the ultimate sacrifice.
As part of its partnership with Britain’s Ministry of Defence (MoD), Bremont has chosen to commemorate the anniversary of the Lancaster Bomber first seeing service in 1942, and the subsequent Dambusters Raid in 1943, paying tribute to this iconic Second World War aircraft and courageous mission with the release of a new Limited Edition.
The Bremont Dambuster timepiece takes design cues from many of the military watches of the 1940s and the 42mm chrono features a mono pusher movement and date function, ‘aviator’ style hands across the dial and sub-dials and a red centre second chrono hand for readability. The military aesthetic is enhanced by Bremont’s iconic ‘51’ vintage lume, set against a ‘Dirty Dozen’ inspired black military dial.
Turning the watch over reveals a closed case back with an elegant engraving of the Avro Lancaster and the heraldic badge of the 617 Squadron, formed in 1943 at RAF Scampton, specifically for the Dambusters Raid using the Barnes Wallis-designed ‘bouncing bomb’ – codenamed ‘Upkeep’.
Rather poignantly, the case back also features each of the call signs of the 8 Lancaster Bombers that never returned, namely: ‘Sugar’, ‘Charlie’, ‘Apple’, ‘Zebra’, ‘Baker’, ‘King’, ‘Easy’ and ‘Mother’.
On closer inspection the beams of the Lancaster’s low level Aldis lights can be seen shining below the aircraft, which when reflected off the smooth water of the dam’s reservoirs under cover of darkness at 60ft, converged into a figure of 8 indicating that the Lancaster was flying at the correct height to deploy the bouncing bomb.
The 232-piece, limited edition nods to the speed at which the Lancaster had to fly (232mph), at precisely 60-feet in order to successfully bounce the bomb with it spinning at exactly 500rpm when dropped.
Only then would the bomb be able to bounce nimbly across the water, avoid the torpedo nets, and then sink at the right spot to detonate at the base of the dam.
Bremont Co-Founder Nick English commented, “Undoubtedly wartime has prompted some of the greatest moments of ingenuity and innovation in history and the story of the Dambusters Raid exemplifies this beautifully.
“Equally the agility, skill and precision demonstrated by the 617 Squadron in the successful deployment of the bouncing bombs continues to amaze me. As we approach the 80th anniversary of the raid we wanted to pay tribute to both Barnes Wallis and the brave men who fought for crown and country, 53 of whom lost their lives.
“We are proud to be donating one of these Limited Edition timepieces for auction to raise money for the RAF Benevolent Fund, an incredible charity that has been supporting members of the RAF Family for more than 100 years.”
Named in tribute to one of the earliest British Military Aircraft manufacturers ‘The Aircraft Manufacturing Company Limited’, The Airco Mach 1 Jet is a contemporary twist on one of Bremont’s most traditional and best-selling pilot’s watch designs.
Bremont brings back the ‘Descent’ with the release of the Supermarine Descent II, a striking new addition to the renowned Supermarine 500 collection.
Practical, robust and beautifully engineered, the 43-millimetre Supermarine 500 diving watch follows an impressive line of marine predecessors which are not only iconic in design but highly durable and extensively tested out in the field.
The Supermarine Descent II is named as a tribute to the original Limited Edition Bremont Supermarine Descent, the brand’s first limited edition dive watch.
The Special Edition Supermarine Descent II is made from aviation grade titanium and bronze boasting a 42-hour power reserve with GMT functionality. The bronze hands and applied bronze indexes are set against a black dial and filled with Super-LumiNova whilst the uni-directional rotating bronze bezel features a sapphire insert.
A contrasting blue GMT hand further elevates this Supermarine model with dramatic effect. Turning the watch over reveals an open case back through which the beautifully finished and chronometer tested mechanical movement can be seen.
As with all Supermarine models, high performance and endurance is key. The signature thicker crystal case back, originally tested for specific military units, is critical in ensuring that the watch can still reach depths of 500-metres.
As with all Bremont watches, the new GMT diver is built to chronometer specification. Over-engineered in all respects, the design of the Supermarine has been built using Bremont’s unique Trip-Tick® three-piece case construction with DLC treated barrel featuring an automatic helium escape valve and a distinctive off-set crown with crown protector on the side of the inner barrel.
The Supermarine Descent II is available on a Harbour Blue or Black Rubber Strap.
Adding to the Armed Forces Collection, the Argonaut Bronze is specifically dedicated to the Navy.
Its 42-millimetre two-piece case is constructed from CuSn8 corrosion resistant bronze which is considered to be a ‘marine metal’. Bronze is entrenched in naval heritage, making it the perfect material selection for this 300-metre military diving watch.
Founded in 2002 by Nick and Giles English and inspired by their love of flying historic aircraft, of watches and all things mechanical, Bremont is based in a state-of-the-art “Manufacturing & Technology Centre” in Henley-on-Thames, England. Bremont watches are precise, reliable, durable and hand built in limited numbers.
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