It is always an exciting time when Bremont begin to unveil their next limited edition timepiece and we haven’t been able to stop thinking about what could be next since last year’s Bremont DH-88. But now we finally have the answer! For 2017, the brand have released a trio of beauties in the form of the Bremont 1918 Limited Edition watch collection.
Named in tribute to the RAF’s founding year and celebrating 100 years since that day, the Bremont 1918 Limited Edition watches come in stainless steel, rose gold and white gold. The Bremont Watch Company was founded on a love for aviation so it comes to no surprise that the brand are celebrating an institution that is so highly steeped in respect and tradition. As with many of the other Bremont limited edition watches that have been released in the past, a percentage of all proceeds that are made from the Bremont 1918 Limited Edition watches will go to charity – this time the Royal Air Forces Association.
The design concept behind the trio comes directly from the RAF’s heritage as Bremont co-founder Giles English explains: “With this classic men’s watch we have tried to incorporate some subtle design features from the traditional RAF issue sector clock. It is also the first time that we have used an am/pm indicator; which has been carefully designed to depict the iconic Supermarine Spitfire dogfighting in the Battle of Britain during the day, and then the legendary Avro Lancaster bomber flying on a night mission lit up by search-lights. The incorporation of a telemeter, which allows the user to approximately measure the distance to an event that can be both seen and heard using the speed of sound, is another first for Bremont.”
Each Bremont 1918 Limited Edition watch measures to 43mm in size and embraces the BE-16AE automatic chronometer certified movement. This is a brand new movement for Bremont and equips the watch with a variety of functions including a power reserve of 42 hours, a GMT hand, hours and minutes function, 12 hours and seconds chronograph in the centre, permanent small seconds at 9 o clock, 30 minute sub dial at 3 o clock, am/pm disc at 6 o clock, telemeter function and a date window at 4 o clock.
Probably our favourite and most detailed design feature of the Bremont 1918 Limited Edition watch collection is the exquisite rotor that can be seen through the sapphire crystal case back. Four iconic British built aircrafts have been incorporated into the very movement. Firstly, is the WW1 RAF SE5a biplane fighter which is represented by the base of the rotor crafted from a veneer of wood from the original rudder bar of the plane. Then, each of the three propeller style blades that make up the rest of the rotor embody the Bristol Blenheim, Supermarine Spitfire and the Hawker Hurricane. All four of these planes beautifully tribute the RAF personnel that flew these aircrafts during combat.
Each Bremont 1918 watch is limited with only 275 pieces of the steel being manufactured and 75 each of the rose and white gold variations. Making for the perfect Christmas present, the Bremont 1918 Limited Edition watches are expected to be released during December this year but for those who are as impatient as us you can pre-order in advance here.
Specifications: Bremont 1918 Limited Edition Watches
- Case Size: 43mm diameter, 12.8mm height
- Lug Width: 22mm
- Case Material: Stainless steel, white gold or rose gold
- Glass: Sapphire crystal
- Dial: Opalin matte metal dial in white, blue or black with applied indexes, solid gold or blued nickel hands decorated with Super-LumiNova
- Case Back: Sapphire crystal
- Movement: Modified calibre BE-16AE automatic chronometer
- Jewels: 26
- Power Reserve: 42 hours
- Functions: Hours, minutes, GMT, 12 hours and seconds chronograph at centre, permanent small seconds at 9 o clock, 30 minute sub dial at 3 o clock, am/pm disc at 6 o clock, date at 4 o clock, telemeter function
- Water Resistance: 100 metres
- Strap: Alligator with pin buckle matching case material
- Limited Edition: 275 (Steel), 75 (Rose Gold), 75 (White Gold)
- RRP: £8,495 (Steel), £15,995 (Rose Gold), £16,995 (White Gold)
- Release Date: December 2017
