British watch maker Bremont‘s London-based “Basel-On-Thames” event has officially started, and they have announced a broad swath of new models and line extensions. The press wave of the event kicks off this coming Wednesday and we will be on site in London to bring you hands-on impressions soon enough. To tide you over until we can get to London, we have summarized the whole of Bremont’s 2017 offerings. From new divers and pilots’ watches to the return of the Norton, there is plenty to see.
As Bremont is not attending the Baselworld trade show in Switzerland this year, their “Basel-On-Thames” event is meant to replace their presence at the annual watch fair. As such, we have quite a handful of watches to cover, so let’s start with what is new.
Bremont Supermarine S300/S301
Named after Supermarine’s first Spitfire prototype, the “Type 300,” Bremont’s S300 translates the overall style of their long-standing Supermarine S500 and S2000 into a 40mm case that is 13mm thick and offers 300 meters water resistance. Launched in two versions with a total of three iterations, the S300 comes in blue or black with a mixed Arabic numeral dial (12, 6, 9), while the S301 has a more vintage-inspired look with traditional Submariner-style markers and a vintage effect lume applications.
All three iterations use Bremont’s expression of the ETA 2892, the BE-92AE, which is COSC certified, offers a 38-hour power reserve, and a date at 3 o’clock. All three models have painted markers, solid steel case backs and can be had on your choice of a 20mm leather, a nylon NATO strap, or a steel bracelet. With red accenting all around, the black dial versions of both the S300 and the S301 use a gilt coloring for the chapter ring and dial text, while the blue S300 opts for a more modern use of white text.
This is Bremont’s first brand-new diver in quite a few years, and the push down to 40mm marks not only a new phase for the Bremont Supermarine, but also for Bremont as a whole, as the vast core of their lineup has long been based on watches that are 43mm wide. The S300 and S301 are priced from $4,295 USD on a strap and $4,895 on a bracelet. Stay tuned for more on these new divers once we’ve gone hands-on later this week.
Bremont AIRCO
Next, we find the AIRCO, a brand-new line for Bremont. With two models, both sized at 40mm, the new AIRCO is essentially Bremont’s classically-minded spin on the SOLO. The aesthetic is inspired by WWII-era pilot watches and the new line has been released in step with the RAF’s centenary in 2017.
The AIRCO comes in two flavors, the Mach 1 and Mach 2. The AIRCO Mach 1/BK is the sportier of the pair, with a satin finished case, a date at 3, red accents, and a military dial layout complete with luminous markers. Alternatively, the AIRCO Mach 2 uses a polished version of Bremont’s hardened steel Trip-Tick case and an elegant matte metal dial with polished nickel hands and markers, and a date window at 6 o’clock.
Both models are 12.5mm thick, with double-domed, anti-reflective, and scratch resistant sapphire crystals. Complete with screw-down crowns, sapphire display case backs, and 100 meters of water resistance, both versions use the same BE-92AE (ETA 2892) automatic movement that is used in the S300/S301 diver.
With classic good looks and two nicely varied models to choose from, the vintage-inspired AIRCO range is priced from $4,095 USD (on a 20mm NATO or leather strap), or $4,695 on a steel bracelet.
Bremont ALT1-P
One of Bremont’s launch pieces from 2007 was the ALT1-P pilot’s chronograph, and some 10 years later it has now received a facelift. New for the redesigned Bremont ALT1-P are a new handset and refined case design, as well as a cream-colored dial joining the existing blue and black dials. The new Super-Luminova-coated sword hands for the hour and minutes are larger and more legible than the thinner straight hands on the outgoing version. The case remains 43mm wide, but the crown at 8 o’clock is now gone, taking with it the integrated internal rotating bezel. The new models are slightly thicker, gaining half a millimeter, for a total thickness of 16mm.
The new Bremont ALT1-P’s also sport enlarged sapphire crystals for their exhibition case backs, allowing a larger view of the same BE-53AE automatic movement. The chronograph sub-dials measure 30 minutes and 12 hours, and the Bremont ALT1-P case retains its 100-meter water resistance.
The Bremont ALT1-P comes in a matt black dial, a sunburst blue dial, and the new cream-colored dial. Available on a calfskin strap or a steel bracelet, the price remains unchanged at $5,395 USD on the strap and $5,995 on the steel bracelet.
Bremont Norton VR44
The latest partnership between Bremont and fellow British brand Norton Motorcycles is inspired by Norton’s 2017 Isle of Man T.T. campaign for the annual wild motorcycle race that takes place on the famed island. Bremont previously partnered with Norton in 2009 with their Bremont Norton 1 Limited Edition watch, and for 2017 we see the release of the Bremont Norton V4RR and the limited edition Bremont V4SS, which is a special model available to buyers of the Norton V4SS motorcycle. Both the V4RR and the V4SS are 200-piece limited editions.