Bremont Unveils Two New Chronographs, with Connections to Wildly Different Areas of Aviation

We recently told you about Bremont’s Project Possible, a limited edition explorer’s watch with tons of water resistance, GMT functionality, and a great story tied to a truly exceptional mountaineering accomplishment. Today, we’re sharing news of two new aviation-inspired chronographs debuting in Bremont’s collection. They’re similar in functionality and size, but have very different style cues, and take inspiration from polar opposite ends of the aviation spectrum. One is classic in just about every meaningful way, and the other has some decidedly contemporary features and inspiration. Let’s take a look at the all new Bremont ALT1-P2 Jet, and the ALT1-C Griffon.

Bremont ALT1-P2 Jet

• Case Material: Stainless steel
• Dial: Black
• Dimensions: 43 x 16mm
• Crystal: Sapphire     
• Water Resistance: 100 meters 
• Crown: Push/pull              
• Movement: BE-53AE
• Strap/bracelet: Leather strap, stainless steel bracelet
• Price: $5,595 on leather, $6,195 on bracelet
• Reference Number: n/a
• Expected Release: April 2020

Bremont ALT1-C Griffon

• Case Material: Stainless steel
• Dial: Black
• Dimensions: 43 x 16mm
• Crystal: Sapphire     
• Water Resistance: 100 meters 
• Crown: Push/pull              
• Movement: BE-50AE
• Strap/bracelet: Leather strap, stainless steel bracelet
• Price: $6,695 on leather, $7,295 on bracelet
• Reference Number: n/a
• Expected Release: March 2020

We’ll examine the ALT1-P2 Jet first, which is the more adventurous of the two chronographs. Based on the original ALT1-P, the Jet is a three register pilot’s chrono with a deep black dial and a black DLC coated case. This represents the first time Bremont has used DLC coating on a case in this line, and I think it’s a natural way to give a classic design a bit of a modern, tactical edge. Bremont’s “51 Lume” is heavily applied to the dial and hands. While normally I tend to think faux-lume looks best on pure neo-vintage watches, the combination of the tan tone with the black dial and case works really well here, but you really have to think of it purely as a color choice, and not an attempt to make a new thing look old.

Powering the ALT1-P2 Jet is the BE-53AE automatic movement, which is chronometer certified. It’s visible through a display caseback that uses a smoked crystal, producing a striking blacked out look that pairs well with the rest of the watch. At 43mm in diameter and 16mm thick, the Jet is a big watch that should wear chunky, but this is the type of timepiece for which wrist presence seems like a necessity.

The Jet is also part of a partnership with Gravity Industries, a British company that builds the Gravity Jet Suit, which is exactly what you think it is: a suit equipped with six miniature jet engines, that let the wearer achieve vertical flight, Rocketman style. The team at Gravity was given an opportunity to test the ALT1-P2 Jet while using the suit, which can achieve a speed of 85 miles per hour. 

On the other end of the aviation-inspired spectrum, we have the ALT1-C Griffon, a two-register chronograph that pays tribute to the Spitfire, perhaps the most revered warplane in the history of British aviation. The Griffon is the Rolls-Royce built engine that powered many Spitfires, including the one operated by brand founders Nick and Giles English’s father. 

The two register layout on the Griffon is simple and easy to read, and is meant to have an instrument-like feel, and is based on early chronometer designs. Like the Jet, the Griffon is a large watch, also coming in at 43mm in diameter. From the top, the Griffon has a clean, classic pilot’s watch look, but in profile you can see that Bremont has constructed the Griffon with their unique Trip-Tick case technology. This watch, and many similar Bremont watches, strike an interesting balance between classic lines and very visible modern manufacturing techniques, and ultimately create a look and feel that is unique to Bremont. 

Both the Jet and the Griffon are available on either a leather strap or stainless steel bracelet. The Jet starts at $5,595, and the Griffon starts at $6,695. Bremont