Cookie Consent by Free Privacy Policy website Bremont launches new MBII and online configurator
april 24, 2020 - Bremont

Bremont launches new MBII and online configurator

It’s over 10 years since the first #bremont Martin-Baker (MB) watch was released; a design born of the challenge to create a unique piece for pilots that had ejected using Martin-Baker ejection seats. It has become something of an icon in the worlds of civilian and military aviation. Whilst additional MB variations have been introduced along the way, the original design on which they’ve all been based hasn’t been updated - until now.

Maintaining the original #bremont MB DNA has been critical so the new MBII models are a natural design evolution. What has been imperative is that the core principles and the rigorous testing programme of the MB range remain unchanged.

Bremont Co-Founder Nick English comments, “Our partnership with Martin-Baker is founded on a love of British engineering and a profound mutual respect. Martin-Baker was Bremont’s first brand partner and it’s not only one that has stood the test of time, but it’s one of which we’re enormously proud. These watches literally redefined the aviation watch space and, more than 10 years on, there is still nothing like them on the market in terms of the testing that they have gone through. We know how well loved this range is so, whilst retaining the key MB infrastructure was crucial, it certainly felt like it was the right time to finesse the design.”

As well as refining both white and black dial MBII models, a new blue dialled version has been added. The new dial design boasts bolder and more readable hands, a more contemporary styling of the numerals and a cleaner look with the removal of the day function. A newly designed case back is inset with a bronze coloured ‘military challenge coin’, historically used to represent membership of a unit/elite group of people or service on a specific tour of duty. Housed inside is a new movement design alteration with a more shock resistant automatic bridge.

Additionally, #bremont has brought out the new ‘Chalgrove’ watch strap selection. The high-performance bimaterial straps combine both rubber and leather, offering something practical and robust that also has enhanced moisture resistance. Named after the Martin-Baker site at Chalgrove Airfield, Oxfordshire, where countless iconic photographs are taken of MB ejection tests out of the two refurbished Gloster Meteors at mid-range altitude. All of the pyrotechnics that go into a Martin-Baker ejection seat are manufactured at Chalgrove.

The #bremont MB remains the most popular choice of model on which Bremont’s custom-made military watches are based. Aside from the obvious military connection with Martin-Baker, the option of different barrel colour possibilities in the MB range has proved particularly popular across numerous projects to date. A purple barrel was first requested by Officers of Royalty Protection, a colour that has been associated with royalty for centuries. A bronze barrel was requested by pilots of the highly advanced Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor and pays tribute to the bronze colour of the anti-reflective coating used on the jet’s canopy. The jet-black barrel was first commissioned by the RAF’s 100 Squadron to celebrate their centenary and complement their Hawk T1 Jet aircraft. The 100 Squadron was the first squadron formed for night bombing back in 1917 and its stealthy appearance led to the introduction of this barrel colour, aptly named ‘jet’. Finally, a titanium barrel was requested by pilots of the A-10 Warthog, honouring the titanium armour ‘bathtub’ that protects the pilot in flight. This was the first time #bremont incorporated titanium into any of its designs.

Having admired each squadron’s own take on the design, #bremont is excited to introduce a new online configurator which will enable customers to design their own MB. The online system will have preloaded dial, case, case back, barrel and strap choices to choose from for the MBII. The barrel colour options are blue, orange, yellow, green, and anthracite as well as military inspired purple, bronze, jet and titanium. The new movement design can be seen through a special open case back version which is a first in the MB collection. There will be over 100 different possible designs in terms of case and dial, and over 1000 factoring in the different straps. Included in this are several new barrel colours than are presently available ‘off the shelf’; red of course still being reserved solely for MB ejectees. Once configured and ordered online, delivery of a custom MB will be 12-14 weeks.

Bremont Co-Founder Giles English adds, “Customers have always expressed a strong interest in being able to customise or ‘bespoke’ their own watch so we’re really excited about launching this new configurator which allows them this capability. It’s going to be amazing to see the choices people will make. We’ve seen how fantastic so many squadron MB watches look so know that this range is perfectly suited for something of this nature. Nick and I have always loved the design process so we’re looking forward to our customers sharing in this opportunity and the same passion.”

Martin-Baker is a British aviation company responsible for supplying 70% of the world’s Air Forces with fighter ejection seat technology. To date Martin-Baker has saved over 7,600 lives. The company first approached #bremont to create the definitive aviation watch back in 2007. More than simply putting a logo on an existing model, the watch had to withstand the same rigorous testing programme as the ejection seats themselves. Two years later, the #bremont MBI was born. The limited edition MBI remains solely for pilots who have ejected from an aircraft using a Martin-Baker seat whereas the MBII and MBIII are available to all.

Andrew Martin, eponymously of Martin-Baker, reflects on the journey to date, “The Martin-Baker ejection seat design has evolved over the decades from the Mk.1 seat in 1946 to our latest Mk.18 seat in 2020. Each new version of seat builds on the legacy of the last by adopting the latest technology as well as utilising advanced materials, combined with new testing and manufacturing processes. I am incredibly proud to see that the #bremont MB has followed a similar process. The latest version of the #bremont MB mirrors this evolutionary philosophy and I am delighted to see how the new watch has turned out.

I have greatly enjoyed learning about the mechanical watch industry from Nick and Giles and the rest of the #bremont team. I have challenged them throughout the design process, and I am sure irritated them with the importance of the watches surviving our tests and making sure they go beyond endurance.

The most enjoyable moment I have had on this journey was on a flight I took flying from Washington DC to LA – I was sitting next to a chap and we got talking and all of a sudden I saw a #bremont MBI on his wrist – I asked him what it was and he proceeded to tell me enthusiastically about the watch, its story and how he ended up getting it. I just listened and smiled and did not reveal who I was…”

Related news

december 12, 2023
december 01, 2023
october 30, 2023

Born from military inspiration and designed in collaboration with the iconic ejection seat manufacturer Martin-Baker, Bremont intr...

Perfect for those seeking a contemporary military-inspired timepiece, the Bremont Armed Forces Collection is the result of our off...

Bremont introduces a distinctive bi-colour blue and green aluminium unidirectional rotating bezel for the first time with the two ...

You might be interested in

september 29, 2023
july 28, 2023
may 05, 2023

Bremont will make a return to Swiss watch fairs in 2024 following the announcement today by Watches and Wonders that the brand wil...

In an extraordinary feat of endurance, #bremont Ambassador #kristinharila has scaled new heights, conquering the 14 highest peaks ...

As we approach a truly historic weekend, and completing a unique pair of timepieces designed to mark the Coronation, #bremont anno...