Bremont | Luxury British Watches
Quintessentially British, Bremont are firmly making a name for themselves in the watchmaking world. Engineering luxury watches with a deep rooted passion for aviation, Bremont timepieces are crafted for the extreme. With collections such as Altitude, Supermarine, Armed Forces, and Motorsport, Bremont have explored all types of action-filled adventure, from the air to the sea.
Tested rigorously to aviation standards during their production, Bremont watches embody micro-precision and expert mechanical engineering to the very last detail. But in a world where Swiss watches tend to rule all, how (and why) do Bremont stay true to their British roots?
British beginnings
Founded by brothers Nick & Giles English (yep, we clocked the very-British name as well!), Bremont’s story is an interesting and moving one.
The two brothers share a deep vested interest in flying and aviation, thanks to their father Euan. In March 1995, Nick was practicing for an air display with Euan in a 1942 WWII Harvard aircraft, when they were both involved in an accident. Sadly, Nick & Giles' father, Euan was killed, and Nick had broken over 30 bones.
Six months later however, Nick was back in the air being flown by Giles. The two brothers decided to pursue what they enjoyed most; a life crafting beautifully engineered mechanical devices.
When they weren’t flying old aircraft, Nick & Giles spent most of their childhood in the workshop of their gifted father – an ex-RAF pilot with a PHD in Aeronautical Engineering. Euan was also passionate about mechanical timepieces, bringing home old clocks from auction for the brothers to try and get going again.
In the late 1990s, Nick & Giles were flying across France in their 1930s biplane when they were forced to make an emergency landing. Keen to avoid the French authorities, the brothers accepted the gracious help of the farmer whose field they landed in. They stayed in his home, the aircraft was kept in the barn, and it transpired their host had flown aircrafts during the war as well as being a gifted engineer. Similar to their late father, half-restored clocks where everywhere, together with numerous engine parts.
The brothers promised his warm hospitality would never be forgotten and they'd repay him one day. Can you guess where we’re going with this? Yup, the farmer was called Antoine Bremont. A name suspended in history forever (okay, we know this is French, but still... ).
With the foundations for an intriguing watch brand now laid, here's how the two brothers began to build their British empire.
British watchmaking
Watchmaking is actually a very British trade. Many horological advances were made in Britain, including every major escapement design and around three quarters of related innovations.
Today, Bremont’s ultimate goal is to bring back as much of the process to the UK as possible and to play a pivotal role in the re-invigoration of this industry on British shores. We visited The Wing, Bremont’s headquarters, for a first hand view into their exceptional British watchmaking.
In 1800, Britain made around half of the world’s watches, but by 1900 this had declined by half. The problem lay in the handmade nature of English watches. The Swiss and the Americans were much quicker and more successful in adopting mass production techniques, meaning the industry in Britain pretty much collapsed.
All Bremont watches are designed, manufactured and assembled in England – including most of the bespoke parts used in limited editions and their handmade leather packaging - within Bremont’s watchmaking headquarters is located in Henley-on-Thames, South Oxfordshire.
Custom built for watch manufacture, this beautiful building is where all of Bremont’s key movement and case components are assembled and finished.
And, for those that don’t know, it goes without saying that all of Bremont’s movements are of the highest quality and all of the watches in their core range are COSC certified – placing them amongst only a few Swiss giants such as Breitling, Omega and Rolex.
It’s a big YES from us to bringing back the art of mechanical watchmaking to Britain.
British traditions
Britain’s history as a manufacturing base for pilot watches has always been important to Bremont, combined with their passion for flying and aircraft that was instilled in them from an early age. The two brothers established Bremont with the intention to be recognised as a watch brand with aviation at its heart.
Many of Bremont’s collections and partnerships showcase this deep-rooted passion…
Bremont & Martin Baker
Martin Baker is a British ejection seat manufacturer that supplies 70% of the world’s Air Forces with fighter ejection seat technology. Combining two expert brands in British craftsmanship and engineering, Bremont and Martin Baker collaborated to create a timepiece that knows no bounds.
Bremont Limited Edition Martin Baker Viper Automatic Men’s Watch
The MB Viper has been tested to the most extreme limits, equalling that of fighter ejection technology, to create a watch that can undergo these circumstances if a pilot may need to. A lightweight model crafted in titanium and anodised aluminium, it’s safe to say that this watch is built for endurance like no other.
This thrilling limited edition timepiece features a bright orange bezel on a black case and matching canvas strap, and is limited to only 300 pieces.
Bremont Altitude
Bremont and British aviation watches are synonymous, and the Altitude collection pays homage to the brand’s dedication to the past and present of pilot watches. With love, experience, and knowledge for flying creating the fundamentals of each Altitude timepiece, you can be assured you’re in safe hands whilst in the air or on land.
Bremont ALT1-C Griffon Chronograph Men's Watch
Displaying quality technical accuracy in a 43mm case, this Bremont ALT1-C Griffon Chronograph Men's Watch pays tribute the Spitfire, an aircraft that Nick and Giles’ father once operated. This sturdy watch provides a water resistance of up to 100m, with a hardened stainless steel Bremont Trip-Tick construction for expert protection. A black dial features sub-dials for extra precise timekeeping with a date window at six o’clock as another handy feature. Complete with a brown leather strap to complement a detailed dial, the case back also displays the captivating interior movement.
Bremont Supermarine
The Bremont Supermarine collection is crafted for explorers of the land and the sea. A classic diving watch inspired by aviation principles, this collection is crafted for those willing to dare into the most extreme environments, upholding the iconic Bremont spirit of adventure.
Shark and marine conservationist and Bremont Ambassador Ocean Ramsey is a professional freediver and scuba instructor. The Supermarine timepieces accompany Ocean on her dives and underwater adventures, and Ocean embodies the dedication and spirit of the Supermarine collection.
Bremont Limited Edition Supermarine Ocean Automatic Watch
Limited to only 400 pieces, this Bremont Limited Edition Supermarine Ocean Automatic Watch was made in association with Ocean Ramsey and her partner, photographer and videographer Juan Oliphant. Ocean Ramsey wears this daring timepiece during her underwater quests, and during her inspiring work as a shark and marine conservationist. The proceeds from the sales of this watch go towards ‘Save the Turtles International’, raising funds for a worth-while cause. Crafted in stainless steel with a water resistance of 300m, this watch is crafted to accompany you on your freediving and aquatic adventures. Its dark dial also features detailing in Super-LumiNova, for visibility beneath the waves.
Bremont Supermarine WR-22 Chrono Automatic Men’s Watch
This Bremont Supermarine WR-22 Chrono Automatic Men’s Watch combines two leading forces in British design and manufacture, featuring a partnership with Williams Racing, for all you Formula 1 fans. The chronograph dial showcases the Williams Racing colour palette of Oxford blue, electric blue, and white as a subtle nod to the collaboration, with the Williams Racing logo displayed on the open-work case back. Innovative throughout its functions, too, this timepiece includes a tachymeter on the dial, a water resistance of up to 200m, and a power reserve of 42 hours.
Bremont Supermarine Automatic Men's Watch
A perfect blend of watchmaking history, aviation, and effective diving watch qualities, this Bremont Supermarine Automatic Men's Watch features a water resistance of up to 300m, with a stainless steel case and matching bracelet. The unidirectional rotating ceramic bezel is engraved with a 60 minute diving scale, and the timepiece also includes an etching of the Supermarine Seaplane, in case you’d like a reminder of Bremont’s dedication to aviation principles.
Bremont Supernova
The Bremont Supernova collection encompasses innovation and contemporary design, three years in the making. The collection hosts Bremont’s first integrated bracelet, and features robust craftsmanship within the hardened top bezel, anti-shock technology and a scratch resistant sapphire crystal.
The collection features dials in a Midnight blue, bold black, and an Albus white dial.
Bremont H1 Supernova Stainless Steel Blue Automatic Men’s Watch
With a striking midnight blue dial, this Bremont H1 Supernova Stainless Steel Blue Automatic Men’s Watch is a masterpiece amongst a ground-breaking collection from Bremont. Exquisite craftsmanship takes form in this timepiece’s intricately finished detailing, power reserve indocator at three o’clock, and a skeleton case back, from which you can observe the in-house manufactured movement. The stainless steel hands and hour markers are filled with super luminova, in case you need to effortlessly ready that dreamy midnight blue dial anywhere.
Bremont Armed Forces
Approved by the Armed Forces and trusted by professionals, the Armed Forces collection is one that’s prepared for the unexpected. The Bremont Broadsword Bronze timepieces are inspired by the ‘Dirty Dozen’ a collection crafted for the British Army during World War II
Bremont Broadsword Bronze Automatic Chronometer Men's Watch
Don’t underestimate this vintage-style Bremont Broadsword Bronze Automatic Chronometer Men's Watch based on its handsome appearance. Crafted to be at the heart of the action and endure the extreme, this timepiece is designed with a CuSn8 bronze case, a strengthened copper alloy to avoid wear and corrosion. The blue dial features a sub dial at six o’clock and a date window at three o’clock, presented on a classic brown leather strap to complement the stand-out copper hues.
A solo special
A ladies watch that’s as beautiful as it is unique, this Bremont Maya Rose Gold Mother of Pearl Ladies Watch is one that will always remain fascinating. The mother-of-pearl dial is inspired by the natural beauty of the deep water pools that provided water to the ancient Maya, found in the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico.
Bremont Maya Rose Gold Mother of Pearl Ladies Watch
The delicate stainless steel case and matching bracelet houses the 18ct rose gold bezel, which we can’t help but be captivated by. Perfect for someone who appreciates an enchanting timepiece with an adventurous spirit, this watch is simply stunning.
We sat down with Nick & Giles about their wonderful watch brand, and we were suitably enthralled with what we found out... Watch the video of our chat with the two brothers below.
Bremont are not only bringing watchmaking back to British shores, but they're doing it in serious style. Swiss or not, a watch can be judged on its quality, authenticity and history - and Bremont are not only ticking the boxes, but going above and far beyond.
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