Although later models such as the D-Type, XJR-9, and especially the E-Type may be better remembered by enthusiasts nowadays, the curvaceous Jaguar C-Type is arguably the single most influential model in the British automaker’s storied racing history. In addition to its two outright wins at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1951 (the first ever for the brand) and 1953, the C-Type introduced a host of technologies that would go on to define Jaguar as a company. This was the first-ever car to race at Le Mans with disc brakes, its streamlined aerodynamic body moved away from the brand’s full-fendered prewar roots, and its 3.4-liter dual-overhead-cam inline-six engine would continue to evolve and grow as a staple of the Jaguar brand until 1992. It’s little wonder, then, that the C-Type is beloved by Jaguar cognoscenti as a turning point in the company’s history. Proudly British watch marque Bremont has built a powerful relationship with Jaguar in the past several years, and for its latest collaboration the brand sets its sights on paying tribute to the legendary C-Type. The new Bremont Jaguar C-Type mixes early ‘50s-inspired visual touches and a retro racing spirit with the brand’s signature modern Trip-Tick case profile for what may well be its most attractive Jaguar-themed model to date.

Measuring in at 43mm-wide and 15.8mm-thick, the stainless steel case of the Bremont Jaguar C-Type should offer a bold presence and a genuine sense of heft on the wrist. The overall form follows the brand’s trademark multi-part template, with a rounded central case segment comprising the case top and lugs featuring a mix of brushing and polished chamfers to accentuate its flowing, tapered shape. The mid-case is rendered in black PVD, which works in conjunction with the brand’s distinctive accent grooves to mask the break up the case’s profile somewhat in initial images. Bremont tops this assembly with a fixed polished coin edge tachymeter bezel, featuring an old-school anodized aluminum insert with clean midcentury-style typography and a pleasing splash of red at 12 o’clock. The Jaguar C-Type’s classic automotive inspiration shines through in the 3 o’clock crown, which is signed with a period-correct Jaguar logo and engraved with a ‘50’s style Dunlop racing tire tread pattern in place of the more standard coin edge texture. It’s the caseback where this design truly comes into its own, however. Rather than a display window, Bremont gives over this real estate to an inlaid commemorative coin evoking the iconic Jaguar “Growler” hood emblem. This is a richly detailed element in images, with a softly contoured and intricate rendition of a jaguar’s head flanked by milky white enamel, handsome grainy matte texturing, and elegantly raised polished lettering. It’s a truly stellar example of caseback engraving, and one that adds miles of character to this case design in photos. Bremont rates the watch for a beefy 200 meters of water resistance.

For the dial of the Jaguar C-Type, Bremont builds on the gauge-inspired base of its previous Jaguar models with a new layer of refinement and a more restrained, ‘50s-style execution. The warm silver-plated dial surface acts as a canvas for a wide range of finishing techniques in images, ranging from a raised central section with a subtle sunburst finish, to a recessed matte hours ring, a sharply debossed 6 o’clock Jaguar emblem, and tight azurage across both subdials. True to its speedometer inspiration, the Jaguar C-Type’s printed hours and minutes scales take on a bold gauge-style railroad pattern with cleanly printed Arabic numerals in an arc from 8 o’clock to 4 o’clock. Bremont’s use of deep gloss black for these printed elements helps them to stand out sharply from their surroundings, while furthering the overall quality feel in images with an additional visual texture. Although the minutes scale between 4 o’clock and 8 o’clock is lighter and far more minimal, Bremont still keeps these elements clearly legible without sacrificing the design’s foundational dashboard element styling. As with the case, judicious applications of bright red give the Bremont Jaguar C-Type’s dial a welcome injection of verve in images, but here these colorful highlights also further the automotive theming. This is especially true for the 9 o’clock running seconds subdial, where a red-painted wedge combines with a set of printed Arabic numerals and a razor-sharp needle hand to emulate the “red line” markings of classic Jaguar tachometers. The Jaguar C-Type’s bold black-rimmed straight sword handset is handsome and easily legible in images, and maintains the oversized brushed central stem guard of previous Bremont Jaguar models in a nod to classic Jaguar dashboard instruments. Date windows are a traditionally divisive element among watch enthusiasts, but here the 6 o’clock date display works to add a visual anchor to the lower third of the dial in the absence of hour numerals or a bolder minutes scale.

Inside the Bremont Jaguar C-Type beats the ETA 7750-based BE-50AV automatic chronograph movement. Despite the long-serving base movement, the BE-50AV is a heavily upgraded design, with high-tech materials throughout including a Gluycdur balance wheel, Anachron balance spring, and a Nivaflex mainspring. Like all Bremont’s products, the BE-50AV is certified for chronometer-grade accuracy. The BE-50AV’s other performance figures are decidedly more average, including a 42 hour power reserve at a 28,800 bph beat rate. Bremont completes the Jaguar C-Type with a big hole-style leather rally strap in rich, caramel-inflected saddle brown.

Featuring a rich blend of modern and early ‘50s stylistic influences paired to truly stunning finishing work and a gentlemanly sporting character, the new Bremont Jaguar C-Type is a compelling homage to one of the most important machines in British racing history. The Bremont Jaguar C-Type is available now through authorized dealers. MSRP for the Bremont Jaguar C-Type stands at $6,495 as of press time. For more details, please visit the brand’s website.