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Fine watchmaking isn’t exclusive to the Swiss.
Bremont’s mission is to produce luxury watches of high quality with as much of the design, manufacturing, and assembly done in England as possible. This mission includes the brand's dedication to timekeeping precision, durability, and functionality.
A closer look at Bremont showcases its proprietary technological achievements to create incredibly robust luxury watches, which includes their Trip-Tick case construction. Trip-Tick consists of three elements: The sapphire crystal (20,000 Hv) and hardened steel bezel; the central body (titanium or DLC-treated middle barrel); and the hardened steel and crystal case back.
In addition to the Trip-Tick construction, all Bremont watch cases are treated for hardness with the B-EBE2000 treatment, a special process that makes them seven times harder than traditional steel. The advantage to the consumer is a watch that is substantially less prone to scratching and scuffing. ("Over-engineering" is an understatement, in this case.)
Bremont watches are utilized beyond the public consumer market: Their Military and Special Projects Division works with elite military units worldwide to produce custom timepieces. (For a taste of these projects in action, check out the Bremont Military Instagram profile.)
Today, all new watches within Bremont’s core range are COSC or ISO chronometer rated and offer a three-year warranty.
Brand History
Bremont was founded in 2002 by two brothers, Nick and Giles English. Euan English, the brothers' father, was passionate about vintage aircraft and timepieces, and taught his sons to fly. In one memorable incident, the two brothers were forced down over France and had to hide their aircraft in a local farmer's barn. The farmer's name: Bremont.
Tragically, Euan was killed in the 1990s in an aviation accident, and Nick nearly died as well. The death of their father provided the catalyst the brothers needed to begin their own business manufacturing mechanical objects, which they named after the kind French farmer.
The English brothers would go on to play a major role in bringing the tradition of fine watchmaking back to the United Kingdom, an initiative which did not happen overnight. It wasn’t until 2010 Bremont had solidified itself as a player in the luxury mechanical watch industry and was able to bring its manufacturing to England.
Throughout the 2010s, Bremont continued to refine its offerings through functional design and durability. (Bremont's motto, "Tested Beyond Endurance," is not for nothing.) Nick and Giles English’s passion for military aviation and adventure continued to shine as Bremont grew in popularity. Bremont still wasn’t mainstream, yet — however, street cred was building in the enthusiast and military communities as Bremont became a popular timepiece choice for those in the know.
The firm's grand list of brand ambassadors and partnerships is rivaled by few in the luxury watch space. Notable Bremont brand ambassadors include Nirmal “Nims” Purja (record-breaking climber and ex-SAS operative), Carey Lohrenz (the first female fully qualified F-14 Tomcat Fighter Pilot in the U.S. Navy), and Peter Hickman (Isle of Man TT record-holder).
All Bremont watches are assembled in Henley-on-Thames, England, where the company goes to great lengths to use as many components as possible that are made in England. To expand on its mission, Bremont opened the "Bremont Manufacturing & Technology Centre" in 2021. Known as The Wing" for its aeronautic-inspired design, the facility measures 35,000 sq. ft and features state-of-the-art equipment. Its opening constitutes a significant step towards Bremont’s goal of manufacturing its caliber movements in-house.
In October 2021, Bremont released its first in-house caliber movement, the ENG300. This move was met with controversy, as naysayers cited that it was a re-engineered version of the Swiss K1. However, Bremont does own the intellectual property for the K1 caliber movement.
Though the in-house debate is a complicated one, the launch of the new caliber remains quite an achievement for the independent British watch manufacturer to accomplish within its first twenty years.
NOTE: The following is an abridged guide featuring selections from the Bremont catalog, which is extensive and broken down into five sections:
Altitude (pilot's watches
Supermarine (dive watches)
Motorsport (automotive watches)
Armed Forces (military-inspired watches)
Time Capsule (limited editions)
For a deeper dive into any particular Bremont line or model, be sure to check out their website.
Buying Guide
Broadsword Recon
The Bremont Broadsword is a contemporary 40mm field watch referencing the spirit of the British “Dirty Dozen” watches of the 1940s. It comes in a relatively modern-styled version and a newer model (the Recon) with a vintage colored lume and a "sandwich dial," meaning a dial with cutouts to lume below for plenty of glow. In partnership with the British Ministry of Defense, Her Majesty’s Armed Forces' Heraldic Badges are engraved on the case backs.
Movement: Cal. BE-95-2AV automatic
Dimensions: 40mm
Material: Stainless steel
Water Resistance: 100m
Strap: Steel bracelet or canvas strap
Price: $3,695
ionBird
A partnership with Rolls Royce, the Bremont ionBird is a GMT-style watch that can track multiple time zones by adjusting the 24-hour hand. A unique feature is the crown: Located at four o’clock, this design keeps the crown from digging into your wrist. A matching steel bracelet gives the whole package a cohesive look.
Movement: Cal. BE-92AE automatic
Dimensions: 43mm
Material: Stainless steel Trip-Tick
Water Resistance: 100m
Strap: Steel bracelet or nubuck strap
Price: $6,395 (bracelet); $5,795 (strap)
Argonaut
The Bremont Argonaut in its compressor-style case is easily identified by the dual crowns and internal rotating bezel. (To rotate the internal dive bezel, simply use the lower crown at four o’clock.) The Bremont Argonaut features Super-LumiNova® and an orange minute hand for exceptional legibility, as well as a significant 300m of water resistance.
Movement: Cal. BE-95-2AV automatic
Dimensions: 42mm
Material: Stainless steel
Water Resistance: 300m
Strap: Steel bracelet or sailcloth strap
Price: $4,295 (bracelet); $3,695 (strap)
ALT1-C
Taking inspiration from horological classics, the Bremont ALT-1 combines a handsome panda chronograph dial with modern robustness due to the Trip-Tick case. It also comes in classically colored dials such as white, cream, grey, blue and black, and there's even a rose gold version if you want to go top-shelf.
Movement: Cal. BE-50AE automatic
Dimensions: 43mm
Material: Stainless steel Trip-Tick
Water Resistance: 100m
Strap: Steel bracelet or leather strap
Price: $6,595 (bracelet); $6,295 (strap)
MBII
The Bremont MBII or “Martin-Baker” is a pilot’s watch with a unique inspiration: Note the black and yellow counterbalance on the running seconds hand that looks like an ejection control handle. In short, the MBII is the civilian version — only pilots who have had their lives saved thanks to a Martin-Baker ejection seat are eligible for the red-barreled MBI. (EJECT! EJECT! EJECT!)
Movement: Cal. BE-36AE automatic
Dimensions: 43mm
Material: Stainless steel Trip-Tick
Water Resistance: 100m
Strap: Steel bracelet or woven strap
Price: $5,595 (bracelet); $4,995 (strap)
SUPERMARINE S300
If there's a single British watch that could compete with the those of the Swiss, the Bremont Supermarine S300 is it. A fantastic 40mm case and a choice of black, blue, or white dials options allow the Bremont S300 to naturally fit into your daily kit. It's is a true go-anywhere-do-anything watch and deserves serious consideration for those considering a dive watch from a luxury brand.
Movement: Cal. BE-36AE automatic
Dimensions: 43mm
Material: Stainless steel Trip-Tick
Water Resistance: 100m
Strap: Steel bracelet or rubber strap
Price: $4,295 (bracelet); $3,795 (strap)
AIRCO MACH 2
The AIRCO MACH 2 has less of a military feel for those looking for a more contemporary luxury timepiece, though if you look carefully, you can find the early-pilot's-watch inspiration. It features a 40mm polished case with Trip-Tick® construction, while contrasting Arabic numerals on the dial make it easy to read at a glance.
Movement: Cal. BE-92AE automatic
Dimensions: 40mm
Material: Stainless steel Trip-Tick
Water Resistance: 100m
Strap: Steel bracelet or leather strap
Price: $4,295 (bracelet); $3,795 (strap)
SOLO 43
The Bremont SOLO is a classic pilot’s watch with modern touches. The big crown evokes the spirit of the golden age of flight while the case is manufactured using Bromont’s modern and robust Trip-Tick features. An extremely versatile watch, it's offered in 43mm, 37mm, and 34mm sizes.
Movement: Cal. BE-36AE automatic
Dimensions: 43mm
Material: Stainless steel Trip-Tick
Water Resistance: 100m
Strap: Steel bracelet or leather strap
Price: $4,595 (bracelet)/$4,195 (strap)
ALT1-P2 JET
The Bremont ALT1-P2 is a no-nonsense pilot’s watch: The black chronograph dial blends in with the DLC-coated case, while the red lollipop chronograph seconds hand is easy to read under extreme circumstances. Bremont even tinted the crystal on the case back to give the movement a stealthy vibe. A black DLC-coated steel bracelet completes the kit.
Movement: Cal. BE-53AE automatic
Dimensions: 43mm
Material: DLC-coated stainless steel Trip-Tick
Water Resistance: 100m
Strap: DLC-coated steel bracelet or leather strap
Price: $6,195 (bracelet); $5,595 (strap)
ALT1-ZT
Bremont packed an abundance of aviation features into the ALT1-ZT. The red-tipped 24-hour hand can be set to Zulu Time, also known as UTC or GMT. The UTC offset, as used for aviation, can be set by rotating the inner 24-hour bezel on the chapter ring using the crown at eight o'clock. If that’s not enough, the ALT1-ZT features a mechanical chronograph in addition to the watch’s multi-time zone capabilities.
Movement: Cal. BE-54AE automatic
Dimensions: 43mm
Material: Stainless steel Trip-Tick
Water Resistance: 100m
Strap: Steel bracelet or leather strap
Price: $6,395 (bracelet); $5,795 (strap)
ALT1-WT
Polished and refined, the ALT1-WT is more "business class" than "cockpit." Travelers will appreciate the multi-time zone functionality in the ALT1-WT presented differently than in the ALT1-ZT. After the home time is set, the traveler aligns the inner bezel with the offset of their destination. The GMT hand quickly references the time in the corresponding city. While on the go, use the crown at eight o'clock to make adjustments on the fly.
Movement: Cal. BE-54AE automatic
Dimensions: 43mm
Material: Stainless steel Trip-Tick
Water Resistance: 100m
Strap: Steel bracelet or fabric strap
Price: $6,395 (bracelet); $5,795 (strap)
ALT1-B
Bremont went full-stealth mode with the ALT1-B, win which the "B" stands for "B-2 Stealth Bomber." It’s clear to see the inspiration behind this military aviation timepiece: A black DLC coating has been applied to the stainless steel case, and it features a unique black dial. It's also got a dive-style elapsed time inner bezel and military time printed on the outer dial for tracking a second time zone.
Movement: Cal. BE-54AE automatic
Dimensions: 43mm
Material: DLC-coated stainless steel Trip-Tick
Water Resistance: 100m
Strap: DLC-coated steel bracelet or leather strap
Price: $6,395 (bracelet); $5,895 (strap)
U2
For those who prefer to have a day and date, the Bremont U2 is an excellent option. The U2 is Bremont’s take on a highly legible everyday timepiece: Painted Super-LumiNova numerals on classically-colored dials complete the vibe. It's available on a leather strap or stainless steel bracelet.
Movement: Cal. BE-36AE automatic
Dimensions: 43mm
Material: Stainless steel Trip-Tick
Water Resistance: 100m
Strap: DLC-coated steel bracelet or leather strap
Price: $5,495 (bracelet); $4,895 (strap)
Limited Edition Hawking
The Bremont Hawking — dedicated to theoretical physicist Stephen Hawking — is limited to 88 pieces, with each watch’s serial number printed on original copies of Hawking’s 1979 research paper, "The ‘nuts’ and ‘bolts’ of gravity." To further connect the timepiece to Hawking, the four wooden inlay discs on the case back are pieces of his actual office desk. Luxury watch connoisseurs will appreciate the grand date prominently displayed at twelve o’clock. If the Hawking 18ct rose gold version is too upmarket for your taste, Bremont also offers a stainless steel version ($9,995).
Movement: Cal. BE-36AE automatic
Dimensions: 41mm
Material: 18ct rose gold, Trip-Tick
Water Resistance: 100m
Strap: Leather strap
Price: $22,495 (strap)
