A Prototype Turned Bonafide Addition to Martin-Baker Collection: Introducing the Bremont MB Viper

Bremont and ejection seat manufacturer Martin-Baker have been working with another for over a decade now, and they’re partnership has laid the groundwork for innovation in both the testing and watchmaking process. These two British companies are most certainly birds of a feather, producing their own specialty products with a stamp of dependability that signifies the extensive testing and meticulous quality control that goes into each and every component. They both are constantly pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in their respective industries. It’s no surprise that when Bremont brought watchmaking back to U.K. shores with its series of Caliber ENG300 movements, they tapped into Martin-Baker’s intense equipment and performance testing program. That idea has evolved to what is now the foundation of Bremont’s MB range and created a whole new category of testing, as well as set a brand new standard for the pilots watch.

Bremont and Martin-Baker’s latest collaborative project looks forward by looking back – not at their rich history in engineering and technical ingenuity, but at the MB testing program itself and the actual test instrument used by Bremont. In order to test the viability of their Caliber ENG300 movement series, Bremont created a special housing that was attached to the dashboard of an ejection simulator. Bremont then went a step further by affixing a set of carbon fiber lugs to that special housing and strapped it to the wrist of a test mannequin to more accurately test the actual scenarios and stress forces enacted on to the now, ‘test watch’. During this Live Ejection Test alone, that instrument is subjected to upwards of 30 G’s, shock from multiple contact points and extreme temperatures from seat ignition. Needless to say, the instrument passed every test with flying colors, and is now the main inspiration of Bremont’s latest addition to the MB range; callsign, Viper.

The MB Viper takes after the silhouette of a panel instrument you’d find within a cockpit of a fighter jet. At first glance, there is a prototype feel to the watch, but the case is far from minimally designed. The DLC treated Grade 5 titanium case conceals the angular case lines outfitting the outer edges and crown guards of the case. What doesn’t try to hide itself, is the orange anodized aluminum bezel connected to the case by four DLC coated steel screws. The applied layer provides an additional hardness to the bezel and a welcomed sheen that compliments the dark case. The MB Viper retains Bremont’s proprietary three-piece case design and spans 48mm including the crown guards, which almost matches its lug to lug length of 51.9mm. Although the proportions aren’t ideal for the modern everyday tool watch, the use of a flat sapphire crystal sitting flush against the bezel keeps the thickness down to a manageable 10.8mm. The titanium makeup should theoretically balance out the MB Viper’s sizable footprint, but Bremont has even gone to further lengths to make the Viper as light as possible by machining out pockets within each lug, reducing the total case head weight to just 58 grams.

Like the case, the dial too takes after the original ENG300 Test Instrument. The white dial is home to a set of Arabic markers that count up in intervals of five, forgoing the traditional 1-12 hour scale. An additional red accented timing scale at the top of the dial pays tribute to a feature pilots use to ensure their watches are providing accurate time. The Chevron pattern found on the pull handles of a Martin-Baker ejection seat is found subtly on the seconds hand within the MB collection. The MB Viper however, has the decoration on full display through the minute and hour hands. The ‘Testing Programme’ wordmark cements the MB Viper’s connection to the original ENG300 Test Instrument and the extensive testing it went through.

The MB Viper houses Bremont’s in-house ENG352 which comes with built-in features such as a 65 hours of power reserve, a silicon escape wheel and KIF shock protection. This marks the first time that any movement can be seen through the caseback within the MB collection, and Bremont makes sure that aesthetically, they’re leading with their best foot forward. The ENG352  sports a selection of rhodium plated bridges, a gold plated automatic bridge and decorated tungsten rotor. The MB Viper delivers with a couple of canvas strap options with each one color coordinating with its case colors and matching DLC coated titanium hardware.

The MB Viper unapologetically resembles the ENG300 Timing Instrument and salutes its predecessor. What’s so appealing about this watch is that its design was not intended to cater to casual wearing or to aesthetically look a certain way. It was made to be purely functional in the hairiest of hairy situations. The result is something that doesn’t look like anything within the MB collection or the entire Bremont catalog for that matter. It’s a welcomed departure and I’ve been on record as saying that Bremont’s concentration has been focused on moving forward and not leaning on its vintage-styling past. We’re continuing to see their story write itself and with all the positive things recently happening around the brand, Bremont is firing on all cylinders.

The MB Viper retails for $5,995 with just 300 units available. The limited edition model is currently available directly through Bremont.