BREMONT EXTENDS ITS ARMED FORCES COLLECTION
One of Bremont’s proudest achievements to date was the beginning of an official partnership with the Ministry of Defence (MoD) in 2019, paying tribute to Her Majesty’s Armed Forces. Through this partnership, Bremont became the sole luxury watch producer legitimately allowed to use the signs, symbols, and Heraldic Badges of all three services.
This year sees the introduction of the Broadsword Bronze, adding to the original line up in the Armed Forces Collection. The use of CuSn8 bronze for the case refers in general to the material’s history within the military world, having been used extensively in naval engineering due to its high corrosion resistance to saltwater. CuSn8 is a solid solution strengthened copper alloy with 8 percent tin. The high tin content adds to strength, wear, and of course its resistance to corrosion.
The Bremont Broadsword was originally designed as a contemporary take on the three-handed ‘Dirty Dozen’ watch design, a series of timepieces commissioned for the British Army during WWII when Britain’s Ministry of Defence needed watches to issue to military personnel. The new bronze editions will be available in three different colored dial and strap variations, complementing the existing range. The ‘slate’, ‘sotek’ (a military green/teal color), and ‘tobacco’ dials feature a sub-seconds hand at 6 o’clock as well as multiple layers of luminous paint on both the dial and hands to complete the original specification for the British Army. The Broadsword Bronze houses the chronometer-rated BE-95-2AV movement inside its two-piece 40mm case featuring a steel, screw-in case back stamped with the badges of all three services; namely the Royal Navy, British Army, and the Royal Air Force. As a ‘living’ metal, each model will develop its own unique patina over time, meaning no two watches will ever look the same.
“We are still incredibly humbled by the recognition that Bremont was given by the MoD to create the Armed Forces Collection,” said Nick English, co-founder of Bremont. “These watches have been extremely popular and with our close military connections, it has been a lovely way of using our expertise to offer a military watch to one and all. After the success we’ve seen using bronze in our Project Possible watch, it felt like a great fit to produce the Broadsword in this interesting material, particularly with its use being so crucial in naval history. Achieving the right balance between a contemporary feel and a nostalgic nod to the classic design of military watches was critical in the design process.”
In the 1940s very strict performance specifications for the original Dirty Dozen were set which included waterproofing, regulation to chronometer specification, luminous markings on the dial, and a robust case construction. The Broadsword has not only been designed and engineered to meet these criteria but also to reflect the needs of Her Majesty’s Armed Forces today. As with all Bremont watches, the Broadsword Bronze will be produced at the company’s headquarters in Henley-on-Thames, UK.
The new Bremont Broadsword Bronze watch, which retails for $3,775, is now available.
