Horologii

Bremont Dambuster Limited Edition Watch Review

Bremont are respected for more than quality timepieces. They have a strong British heritage, specifically a strong union with the British military, upheld by their partnership with the Military of Defence. Over the years, they have created numerous products fit for the wrists of military personnel, that being of the Navy, Army, or Royal Air Force. Today, the British watch manufacturer focuses on the latter with the launch of the Bremont Dambuster watch, a limited edition paying tribute to the Lancaster Bomber and the historic Dambusters raid.

The No. 617 Squadron of the Royal Air Force was formed under great secrecy at RAF Scampton on 21st March 1943. Led by Wing Commander Guy Gibson, the squadron was formed for the task of attacking three major dams in Germany, the Mohne, Eder and Sorpe, which contributed water and power to German war facilities. The squadron underwent intensive training in a short period of time, developing unique tactics to deploy Barnes Wallis’ bouncing bomb as well as training on swimming pools and practicing on the dams of the Upper Derwent Valley in Derbyshire (the proud home of Jura Watches). The raid was given the codename Operations Chastise and was carried out on 17th May 1942 with great success. The historic event remains one of the greatest wartime missions for Great Britain and has since been immortalised in several TV and film adaptations including the 1955 film ‘The Dambusters’. Also preserving the legacy of the Lancaster bomber and the brave airman that flew it, Bremont launches the new Bremont Dambuster Limited Edition.

Bremont Co-Founder Nick English comments, “Undoubtedly wartime has prompted some of the greatest moments of ingenuity and innovation in history and the story of the Dambusters Raid exemplifies this beautifully.Equally the agility, skill and precision demonstrated by the 617 Squadron in the successful deployment of the bouncing bombs continues to amaze me. As we approach the 80th anniversary of the raid we wanted to pay tribute to both Barnes Wallis and the brave men who fought for crown and country, 53 of whom lost their lives. We are proud to be donating one of these Limited Edition timepieces for auction to raise money for the RAF Benevolent Fund,an incredible charity that has been supporting members of the RAF Family formore than 100 years.”

Bremont have always been remarkably clever at attributing special edition timepieces with both subtle and obvious hallmarks related to their cause. The Bremont Hawking collection always amazed us with its meteorite-inlayed case back and black hole dial designed in honour of the late Professor Stephen Hawking, so much so, that we didn’t think the luxury watch brand would ever outdo themselves. But of course, we were wrong. The design of the Bremont Dambuster Limited Edition is full of clever accents designed in commemoration of the Avro Lancaster plane and the squadron that flew in it. The case back specifically holds much significance.

Turning the Bremont Dambuster watch over reveals a large engraving of the Lancaster Bomber itself as well as the beans of the aircraft’s low level lights and the cylindrical bouncing bomb being dropped beneath it. Above, is the heraldic badge of the 617 squadron which like the plane is encircled by the lettering ‘Approved by Her Majesty’s Armed Forces’. Further along the circumference is the call signs of the 8 Lancaster Bombers that never returned, namely: ‘Sugar’, ‘Charlie’, ‘Apple’, ‘Zebra’, ‘Baker’, ‘King’, ‘Easy’ and ‘Mother. It’s limited edition status of 232 pieces, a number chosen specifically to remember the speed of which the Lancaster had to fly had to successfully bounce the bomb, is also presented on the case back.

As seen from the wrist, the Bremont Dambuster Limited Edition offers the archetypal aesthetic of a military pilots watch with a smooth black dial, a curved stainless steel case and a black sailcloth textile strap. The case sits at a 42mm diameter with a 14.9mm height and is engineered from hardened stainless steel with a smooth fixed bezel, domed sapphire crystal glass with anti-reflective treatment and a screw in crown assuring a 100 metre water resistant rating. At 2 o’clock, the case also presents a rare Monopusher for controlling the chronograph complication within.

Powering the Bremont Dambuster watch is the Calibre BE-51AE automatic winding movement which like all of the releases from Bremont’s 2022 Townhouse event is COSC certified. It delivers a 48 hour power reserve and a frequency of 28,800vph and promises extreme reliability and precision with a Glucydur balance wheel, Anachron balance spring, Nivaflex mainspring and 25 jewels. Using the piston-shaped pusher at 2 o’clock, the movement controls the Monopusher chronograph complication including the sweeping chronograph seconds hand and the 30 minutes counter at 3 o’clock.

The chronograph is beautifully presented on a ‘Dirty Dozen’ inspired black metal dial which brings to life both white and vintage-coloured Superluminova for the perfect military aesthetic. The hour and minute hands are nickel plated and filled with Bremont’s famous ‘51’ vintage Superluminova to match with the Superluminova hands on the matte black subsidiary dials. In contrast to its otherwise monochromatic centrepiece, the Bremont Dambuster Limited Edition opts for a bold red chronograph seconds hand and alternating beige and white Arabic numerals.

Alongside the release of every 232-piece Bremont Dambuster Limited Edition, you’ll also get a set of elegant silver Avro Lancaster Cufflinks incorporating aluminium from the original airframe of Lancaster B.VII NX611 ‘Just Jane’. The material was removed recently during the restoration of the Just Jane’s rudder assembly and has been kindly gifted to the British watch manufacturer as part of this limited edition launch.

If you’d like to learn more about the Bremont Dambuster watch and get your hands on it for yourself, head over to the Jura Watches website here. Alternatively, get in touch with the team by calling 01335 453453 or send us a message at help@jurawatches.co.uk.

Specifications:

  • Case Size: 42mm
  • Case Material: Stainless steel
  • Bezel: Fixed
  • Glass: Domed sapphire crystal with AR treatment
  • Crown: Screw in
  • Case Back: Closed with special engraving
  • Water Resistance: 100 metres
  • Movement: Calibre BE-51AE automatic
  • COSC: Yes
  • Functions: Hours, minutes, small seconds, central chronograph seconds, 30 minutes counter, date
  • Power Reserve: 48 hours
  • Jewels: 27
  • Frequency: 28,800vph
  • Dial: Black metal with Superluminova numerals and hands
  • Strap: Black sailcloth
  • RRP: £3,995
  • Limited Edition: 232 pieces
  • Extras: Silver Avro Lancaster Cufflinks incorporating aluminium from the Lancaster ‘Just Jane’