Bremont Chronometers Launch in Australia

AndrewD's report introduces Bremont's entry into the Australian market, chronicling the brand's Melbourne launch event. He provides an overview of Bremont's philosophy, its aviation-inspired designs, and the technical features that define its chronometers, offering a valuable early look at the brand's presence down under.

It is always exciting to see a new brand coming into the local market and we were recently invited to the Melbourne launch held at Pickings & Parry in Fitzroy, a men’s shop featuring hand made and traditional objects for everyday life.

On the wrist of the Australian importer, Nick Hooper, the Martin-Baker MB2. The MB1 is officially available only to those who have used the Martin-Baker fighter ejection seat. It of course features the anti-shock system appropriate for such a watch. This watch is housed in a 43mm x 13.5mm steel case with a bi-directional Roto-Click bezel which is operated by the crown at the 4 o’clock position.

The Supermarine and Martin-Baker watches (Martin-Baker is a British aviation company specialising in ejection seats) have an internal Faraday cage shielding the movement against magnetic fields and a rubberised vibration-resistant mounting improving the shock resistance of the watches.

The themes are obviously aviation inspired and I think the Bremont watches are at their best when channelling simple pilot watches with superior legibility. This was my favourite of the evening, from the Solo Collection, inspired by classic Pilot’s watches. This is the SOLO/CR and the watch is also available on bracelet. Inside is the Bremont automatic BE-S6AE movement with glucydur balance. The case is 43mm in diameter with a PVD treated case barrel and attractively sculptured lugs. I found it very comfortable on the wrist with a tang buckle.

All the movements are COSC certified which adds a degree of reassurance regarding performance. In addition, the company offers a 3 year warranty which is unusual in the industry where 2 years is the norm and 1 year not unexpected. The COSC certificates are kept at the Manufacture and are available to owners when they register their watches after purchase.

From the U-2 Collection is the U2/SS in steel. A black DLC version is available as well. The U-2 is a high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft so the watch has been tested to 100,000 feet and minus 40oC, not that I would like to be in those conditions. It also features the Bremont anti-shock mounting and antimagnetic Faraday cage and RotoClick bezel.

The ALT1-P with bracelet and blue dial.

The ALT1-C with cream dial contains a modified Valjoux 7750 in a case measuring 43mm x 15.8mm. Other dial colours include silver, black, green and anthracite.

Andrew