As we all know April is the time for speculation and guessing games as to what the watch and jewellery brands will be revealing at this year’s Basel Fair. In recent years we have had to wait till the day the show opens but this year we seem to have been flooded with pre-releases and teasers of the delights to come.
On Tuesday 2nd April 2013 Bremont Watch Company revealed two new pieces from their 2013 collection; these appear in the form of one brand new watch; the ALT1-B2 (GMT), and a new twist on a classic – the U-2 Blue.
Firstly, the ALT1-B2 (GMT)...
Bremont is famous for their classic designs and traditional British values, creating timepieces that have a story and play homage to some of the most famous and influential military personnel in the world. The new ALT1-B2 is no exception.
We first saw this model in 2012 when Bremont created a watch for the elite B2 ‘Stealth Bomber’ aircrew. Drawing on the positive response from the aircrew, and watch aficionados around the world, the British watch maker decided to develop this chronometer for the civilian market.
Having long established links with the military, a relationship it continues to develop through specially commissioned pieces and support, is at the core of the Bremont philosophy. They now work closely with multiple Air-Force, Navy and Army units around the world creating timepieces to suit their needs. More and more of their new releases play homage to their military links and in doing so the British brand are re-affirming their place at the forefront of highly developed timepieces designed for the real life situations the squadrons find themselves in. Bremont, however, also do something most watch brands shy away from - they have real people testing their watches in the most extreme conditions.
Bremont were originally approached by the B2 Squadron to make a very unique watch; the British watchmaker worked closely with the aircrew to produce a timepiece that was unique to them – unlike anything the watch company had ever produced before. The task was to create a piece that was so different from anything that had been produced before but encompassing all the features that Bremont has become famous for.
The result, a watch that features most of the advanced elements of the Bremont Chronograph range. It has a modified BE-54E movement, Trip-Tick® case with the Roto-click® internal bezel and black DLC case but most importantly the Bremont readability.
“Working on this project with the B2 crew could not have been a more interesting experience; they knew exactly what they were trying to achieve which was great. They are a fascinating group of people... The B2 watch was a huge success with the Squadron, it also received rapturous applause from the civilian watch aficionados so we knew there was a strong demand for a general release version, hence the introduction of the ALT1-B2 Chronograph.â€
Nick English
Co-Founder
This watch is a real twist on the classic look of previous Bremont watches and one that will no doubt be met with excitement from their ever-growing band of merry men. Having said that I have no doubt that this modern looking ‘stealth’ watch will also appeal to a whole new group of supporters thus adding to their expanding fan base.
The second of the new releases is the new look for one of the brands most popular core range watches - the U-2. This watch was first released in 2010 with a military edition, two civilian models and a Limited Edition and has grown to be one of the most desired of the Bremont range.
Developed following the huge success of the Martin Baker watch the U-2 chronometer encompasses the technical features Bremont have become famous for following their partnership with the largest ejection seat manufacturers in the world; namely the Anti-shock rubberized movement mount; designed to withstand the MB ejection seat programme. However, I must say this is not the only impressive feature of this watch... it is the rigorous testing it goes through at extreme altitudes at 100,000 feet and temperatures reaching -50 degrees C that sets this watch apart as a true ‘tested beyond endurance’ timepiece.
In the early 1950’s, during the tense time of the Cold War, the US military required better strategic reconnaissance to help determine Soviet capabilities and intentions; however, due to the lack of aircraft that could carry out such delicate missions without being noticed the US military developed the U-2 ‘Dragon Lady’ - an aircraft that could fly at 70,000 feet, thus placing itself beyond the reach of Soviet fighters, missiles and even radar. Essentially the ‘Dragon Lady’ was an aircraft that could fly at such a high altitude in a country’s airspace with the sole intention of surveillance and the chance to take aerial photographs whilst remaining undetectable.
The elite 9th Reconnaissance Wing at Beale, CA approached Bremont wishing to develop a watch with the same testing history as the Bremont MB but with the added custom-testing that mirrored their unique requirements. Thus the U-2 was born.
This new edition for 2013 features, as standard, an open case-back which is unlike the original U-2; as well as a blue leather strap to match the blue dial and barrel. The blue is reminiscent of the ALT1-P and this fresh new look for the U-2 is sure to entice Bremont wearers to consider a new watch for their collection.
“It was a complete honour to work with the U-2 crew at Beale, CA. Their attention to detail was second to none and the end result was a rather special military watch that became the Father of the U-2 retail range. The introduction of the new U-2 Blue is a striking addition to the collection. The range of aesthetics and advanced technical attributes makes the U-2 chronometer a great choice for the price point.â€
Nick English
Co-Founder
All this month we are running a competition to win £300 worth of Bremont goodies when you enter your guess for the Bremont Limited Edition watch of 2013. To enter just 'like' our Facebook page and leave your guess on our wall.