What do you get when you cross Bremont‘s relatively new ALT1-ZT with the warm vintage tones of their highly-desirable P-51 LE? The new Bremont ALT1-ZT/51 GMT Chronograph. The ALT1-ZT was announced at Baselworld 2015 and served as a rethinking of Bremont’s original military GMT chronograph, the ALT1-Z of 2007. Preserving the clutter-free and highly legible design of the ALT1-ZT, the new ZT/51 completes the circle by looking back at a long sold-out model and picking up some of its recognizable styling.
Explaining the concept behind the Bremont ALT1-ZT/51 GMT Chronograph, Nick English (Bremont’s Co-Founder) says: “For me, the ALT1-ZT is arguably the most handsome and practical GMT chronograph we have manufactured to date. It is beautifully simple, easy to read and a watch you would happily see strapped to your wrist in 20 years’ time. One of our most iconic limited editions to date is the sought-after Bremont P-51. The heritage look and feel of this timepiece inspired many collectors internationally and it seemed fitting to pay tribute to it through the new ALT1-ZT/51”.
The dial layout and markings remain unchanged from the ALT1-ZT, but the new Bremont ALT1-ZT/51’s chronograph sub dials (at 12 and 6) are rendered in a metal finish, and the running seconds display has been muted through the use of markings that are nearly the same color as the dial, though the punchy red seconds hand remains.
With a warm matte brown-black dial and custom-colored Super Luminova markers, the Bremont ALT1-ZT/51 GMT Chronograph offers an entirely different charm when compared with the clean, almost gauge-like aesthetic of the ZT. While I’m not generally a fan of faux-aged lume, I think it looks just as good here as it did on the P-51 back in 2011. The contrast between the dial, the metal subdials, and the markers is really effective, and the Bremont ALT1-ZT/51 GMT Chronograph looks fantastic on a brown leather strap.
Specs remain unchanged from its sibling, with the Bremont ALT1-ZT/51 GMT Chronograph using a 43mm hardened steel Trip-Tick case, a wonderfully anti-reflective domed sapphire crystal, Roto-Click internal rotating bezel, and 100m of water resistance. Its bevy of functions, including time, independent 24-hour GMT “Zulu Time” hand, and 12-hour chronograph, are supported by Bremont’s BE-54AE automatic COSC movement. The BE-54AE is a Bremont-modified ETA 7750 and offers 42 hours of power reserve, a 4Hz rate, and can be seen via the Bremont ALT1-ZT/51 GMT Chronograph’s display case back.
I now have an ALT1-ZT in for review (stay tuned), and it’s an excellent watch and a good example of Bremont’s strengths: toughness, legibility, and multi-role capability. The P-51 was limited to 251 units and, as one of the earlier Bremont aviation LEs, they have appreciated in value and are rarely seen changing hands. Most of Bremont’s core production lineup is built around relatively modern designs, so the Bremont ALT1-ZT/51 GMT Chronograph offers a look and feel often reserved for their limited edition pieces like the P-51, the Norton, and the Codebreaker.
If the ALT1-ZT was too stark for your tastes but you want something different from their recognizable core line up, the $5,895 USD Bremont ALT1-ZT/51 GMT Chronograph looks like an excellent mix of modern form factor with just a touch of Bremont’s proven ability to elicit the warm aesthetic of WWII aircraft. bremont.com