The latest release from the legendary British manufacturer, the Bremont ALT1-C Griffon watch is named and inspired by the engine that featured in the most powerful Spitfire plane. The PR Mk XIX was the last of the specialised photo reconnaissance variants of the Spitfire and is one of the few with a Griffon engine, an engine known for being one of the finest and most formidable.
The new Bremont ALT1-C Griffon watch also finds itself holding a special place in the hearts of brand co-founders Nick and Giles English. For those unaware or new to the brand, Bremont was born when ambition rose from tragedy. In 1995, Nick and his father Euan were up in the air practicing formation for an air show when they found themselves spiralling out of control and crashing into the ground. Sadly, Euan English was killed and Nick, only 23 years old at the time, broke over 30 bones and was at risk of losing his life. Miraculously, only six months later, Nick was back in the air with a new vigour for life and aviation. It was from then on that the brothers decided to develop their family’s love for engineering into something extraordinary.
The powerful Spitfire plane that inspires the Bremont ALT1-C Griffon watch was once operated by their father before it was bought by Rolls-Royce. Its design is also based on the original ALT1-C Cream watch which was the first Bremont timepiece the brothers ever created. While retaining the core DNA from the original, Bremont ALT1-C Griffon watch comes to life with some new military design tropes including a stunning updated military dial that would not have looked out of place on the wrists of allied pilots during WWII.
“The MK XIX Spitfire is an iconic aircraft which holds personal significant to myself and Nick. The Griffon will certainly feel very much at home in this cockpit or any other for that matter.” – Giles English, Bremont Co-Founder
The black metal dial continues to uphold its principles of legibility and ease of use with Superluminova coated numerals and inlaid hands taking centre stage and double anti-reflective scratch resistant sapphire crystal glass housed above. As well as a large date window at 6 o clock, the dial provides central hands for hours, minutes and chronograph seconds, a 30 minutes counter at 3 o’clock and a small seconds counter at 9 o’clock. Each of these functions are powered by the modified calibre 13 ¼ BE-50AE automatic winding movement, a 25 jewelled COSC certified calibre promising an accuracy of -4 to +6 seconds per day and a power reserve of 42 hours.
The mechanical movement housed within the Bremont ALT1-C Griffon watch can also be seen through the exquisite flat crystal case back where the finely detailed and engraved oscillating rotor spins with every movement of the wrist. The 43mm stainless steel case, hardened using the legendary Bremont Trip-Tick construction, is paired with a scratch resistant DLC treated case barrel, a fixed bezel and a screw in crown to ensure its water resistant rating of 100 metres. The vintage military aesthetic is completed by either a luxurious brown calfskin leather strap or a classic stainless steel bracelet.
The Bremont ALT1-C Griffon will retail at £4,995 for the leather and £5,395 for the bracelet on its release date in August. If you want to stay ahead, you can place a pre-order for the timepiece on the Jura Watches website here where you can find free delivery and interest free finance options available!
Specifications: Bremont ALT1-C Griffon Watch
- Case Size: 43mm
- Case Material: Stainless steel, hardened using Bremont Trip Tick construction
- Bezel: Fixed
- Glass: Double anti-reflective sapphire crystal
- Case Back: Exhibition
- Crown: Screw in
- Water Resistance: 100 metres
- Movement: BE-50AE automatic winding
- COSC: Yes
- Functions: Hour, minutes, small seconds, date, chronograph seconds, 30 minutes counter
- Power Reserve: 42 hours
- Jewels: 25
- Frequency: 28,800vph
- Dial: Black metal with Superluminova coated numerals and hands
- Strap: Brown leather or stainless steel bracelet
- RRP: £4,995 (Leather), £5,395 (Bracelet)
- Release Date: August 2020
