Bremont Altitude MB Meteor
The kettle on the hob, sorry, Aga, is Richard Sapper’s 9091 for Alessi.
A piece of perfectly executed early 80’s ingenuity, as it boils a brass whistle emits in unison notes E & B, a tribute to the River Rhine Boat Sirens of Sappers childhood, beautiful and functional it elevates my mood several times a day.
Another of Sapper’s Alessi creations eases me in at first light each morning, his 9090 Mokka pot, good enough for MOMA, perfect for me. Simple, functional and again beautiful, as pressure builds and coffee flows I lean and watch birds flip, flap and flirt with each other before they soar, from pigeons to buzzards, swifts and pheasant off out into the sky.
They, like the Aga, have been superseded by gizmos promising instant relief, gadgets that solve all of life’s problems without blinking, all which forget that the time spent doing things simply, watching exquisite tools work with intimate efficiency allows the mind the wander, the synapsis to wake up and blood to flow.
Oh, and allow positive habits to form.
Leaning on an Aga watching the world fly by or having a chat is bliss, seasons change, stories evolve, the world spins, some things get easier, others harder, all of if at some point fills us with some form of emotion and reminds us of the simple fact we are all only human.
At this point, given the headline I should probably confess, I’ve never been a watch guy, the two people I see the most of are double wristers, but my wrists despite the ever so slightly rolled cuffs stayed bare.
That said, I read everything, devour the watch websites, scour the magazines, walk the stores and spy on the socials. I get excited about watch fairs and in a past life set up a watch shop for a department store, but despite having the access, means and knowledge, plus a lifelong obsession with product, nothing ever got my under my skin by sitting on top of it.
And I was fine with this, happy, going about my life, deep in the country or rolling round Mayfair.
Then I fell in love, because as everyone knows love and the act of falling happens when not looking.
Lets call it boy meets Bremont. Or man considers the watch.
As we all know, love is a two way street, it takes time, effort, understanding as well as that initial spark. There are instant at first sight situations, not lust but ones you feel have that potential to go further, then there are those which take the scenic route.
But all love, at its heart is positive, fulfilling and a bringer of light.
My first proper in flesh Bremont encounter, was at Baselworld in 2014. I remember the fair, the booths, the general ambience, then the food, listening to ‘After the Gold Rush’ on the plane, the book my friend was reading, minutiae of Basel Architecture, what I wore each day and that it was the week my paternal Grandmother died, but individual watches? Only Bremont.
I nearly bought one then, but, I’m not a watch guy.
Years slide by and although I kept an eye on their output, checked the scores and felt that pang given that they were British, can you imagine trying to set up a watch brand from scratch, trying to take on the major players and do it from here? But, I’m not a watch guy.
Bit of a pause, stopped writing, took the Land Rover out and went for a walk with the dogs.
Now that makes my heart sing, touring along, window open, arm out, my three mates in the back, before we head off on foot for an hour, not a soul to see, wind, rain, snow, hail, all a tonic for the soul, massage for the mind and a deep body cleanse.
A lifelong commitment and good habit that probably tops all others.
These three amigos are working labradors, which means that whilst they adore sofa snoring, a certain amount of running free like the wind is to be entertained, but given their nature controlled, when required the whistle, mostly though they check in, looking over their shoulder, when I stop they spin round and return, sitting next to me until action resumes.
A never ending, clockwork, up and down hill, away and then back to me to set out again, circular motion, perpetual. Tools almost, their purpose joyful, life affirming and mood lifting, to share life daily with them is a privilege that will never grow old.
As they do their thing, next to me, or away, my mind and eye wanders, birds again, trees, weather, work thoughts, sports thoughts, love and life thoughts. Thinking about the big, as well as the inconsequential, the for others trivial, but to me vital. The thoughts that make up a head.
Thoughts that often get squished and distracted by modern life.
Like with the dogs, my mind wanders when boiling the Kettle and making tea, using the coffee maker, that routine, repeat daily, there when required, constant, like clockwork.
Yes, the occasional service, new gasket and TLC is needed, but these tools do their job without question nor offering some unneeded solution, instead allow me to find some form of inner peace.
Beautifully designed and engineered analogue devices, kettle, Land Rover, even working labradors push us to concentrate and through that connect, with nature, with our emotions, with life, to slow down and breathe it in.
They’re all also the cognoscenti choice, this is Purposeful Activity, spot the kettle in AD, “always knew I liked them”, wave at Land Rovers on the highway, step into an Aga’d kitchen and feel at home, and well I love all dogs, but these look the ticket and do life with such style, elegance personality and verve, confidants and best pals to this man.
And Bremont, to my mind another emerging cognoscenti choice, low key, underrated but emerging.
I get so excited about brand mix and brand adjacencies, it used to be a favourite job of mine, mapping things out. What goes together, grows together.
Trends change and taste evolves but there are things, especially within a male shopping universe which tend to work, Visvim with Connolly knitwear, or Double RL with Edward Green boots, a little soupcon or something new, touch of Drakes, LEJ, Ghiaia and that jump the shark brand which you’ll all be wearing in two years time, it’s the same with homewares, interiors, food, cars, all sorts, but watches now that’s tricky. They are purchases with ticket prices beyond a piece of knitwear, purchase’s which if even made on the spur, come after considerable forethought and personal sacrifice.
There are the exceptional brands, perhaps they are the expected and in many instances the right choice, but what happens if you want something a little different, something a little more you?
And that all feeds into that repetitive worry, that something beautiful in horological world couldn’t handle life in my world. To look at yes, but live with? How far can you go before it breaks, is the worry and thought worth it? Or do you just have to trust?
After a while, the noise builds and something needs to be done or at least scratched.
So what is it about Bremont? Who is the customer? Jokingly I’ll say me, perhaps not exactly me, I’m far too British to suggest myself as an anything approaching an ideal, but certainly someone who I might wish to be friends with, or aspire to be more like.
Whether buying a first watch and not a watch guy, a watch which might end up being the only watch, or a watch to become part of a collection, an elegant outlier amongst others. Or you are the collector, this is your thing and you want to expand.
People who understand why those jeans are right, who is the bootmaker and have spent time understanding, refining and developing who they are, with a taste that is theirs.
Someone who…sheds a tear at a painting, song and the bit with the dog in ‘A Star is Born’; on first name terms with maître’d of favourite place; can read a wine list even if doesn’t drink; knows and known by all the legendary staff of all the ‘right’ stores, including local butchers, bakers and green grocers.
Walks into their pub and people behind and around bar ask after them and family; reads a balance sheet and the style pages; can give an open, honest and in-depth break down of world conflicts, plus the nuances of work of Taylor Sheridan, Charli XCX, Tyson Fury and the Kardashians.
Appreciates fine literature and a Bruno Fernandes pass; obsesses over cutlery, crockery and produce; knows which bag to secure at 31 Rue Cambon as well as where to go for a shave and how to order a bespoke suit, even when bearded and denim’d up.
Lives? East London, East Hampton, Silver Lake, Austin, Paris, Tokyo, by a river, near the sea or out in the British Countryside; can change a tyre and knows which ones to have in first place; happily drive manual or ride an ‘orse; can chop wood, light and keep a fire in; roast a chicken; be a shoulder to cry on and a hand to hold.
Read Emily Ratajkowski’s book, James Salter as a fighter pilot, then The New Yorker, The Athletic and Purposeful Activity; invests and builds for themselves, their family and community; can see the value in the market, in people and that some times value is just a memory and feeling.
Works for themselves? Maybe, maybe a partner, whatever, it is on their terms. Knows not only that you should be kind, civil and caring but is these things daily, especially when the going gets tough. Someone who sees the challenges and beauty of life and people and embraces it all.
Who knows that our time is not infinite.
Knows that manners are more than just please and thank you. But also knows when to and when not to care.
Is to someone the person they call when need rescuing.
Is free in their mind and body. Sees beauty in the small, the grand and the to others mundane.
Tough and tender, worldly and local.
Active mentally and physically, curious and interested in the world, does their research but makes up own mind. Who sees the wonder when alone and exploring open spaces as well as is comfortable in any room they are in.
Simply someone who knows, feels and shows love each day and in every action.
That is the Bremont customer because that’s what I see in Bremont, the best brands are reflections of the now and the lives of those who patronise.
I’ve always loved the look and love how they have evolved, from a personal and professional standpoint I can see plan and understand the potential.
So, at the start of last November, having been out exceedingly early and exercised, I drove through furious rain from mine to Henley. The universe had decided after some mutual winking, chats and many years of my thinking that it was time.
Despite the rain, the trip is easy, a mix of countryside, polo fields, chocolate box town and a quiet turn right before swooping down, ahead past the nose cone of a plane and beyond a car park full of petrolhead fantasies – I parked next to a Mclaren765 LT – ‘The Wing’ Bremont’s technology centre, factory, head office, beating heart.
I love visiting factories, it’s a perk, knitwear to shoes, outerwear to leather goods and most things in-between, but watches? That was a new one.
And I had, a day, one of the best in a long time, touring the factory, meeting people, everyone was so kind, interested in me and engaged with what they were doing and where Bremont could go.
Oh and the food was very good, you can always tell so much about how a business caters for those who work there and those who visit.
I left wrist clad in titanium and not just full of the joys of Spring in deep Autumn but full of hope for what can and will be achieved.
To start anything is tough, it takes more of you than anyone ever says but to start a watch company with the aim not just to manufacture in the UK but to compete with the long established and frankly clockwork ran main players is gutsy, brave, perhaps stupid and awe-inspiring.
It can sometimes feel a little bit funny being British, a complex and ever changing soup of emotions, but there are times when you are reminded that this is, always has been and always will be a home for innovation, for risk takers, for explorers and for those who are open minded and willing to push things further. A trip to the Bremont hub helps to solidify this.
Since then, my life has had an MB in it, a Bremont Altitude MB Meteor to be precise, why that one? Well if you’re building a collection, I have a list, but if it’s a starting point or a one and done, why not be reminded me of those birds that soar, of freedom, something that is going to be there if I come a crashing down.
An extraordinary thing, I really suggest people hold one and look at in person, the design, finish and make needs hand held inspection, it’s full of that human connection that as a device it so willingly encourages.
It’s the last thing I take off at night, not the first thing I put on, instead the first thing I grab and as the world wakes, walk through the house with it in palm of my hand, my fingers run over the glass and case, putting it on when in the kitchen, checking the time, same time every day, check all the same, peer out at the world, then carry on with the rest of my routine.
I like to fill my life with best in class things, habits and practices which act as enhancers rather than blockers, enhancing that sense of connection, enabling me to see through the noise and concentrate on what is important.
In that sense, its slightly odd that I wasn’t a watch guy.
Speaking of watch person stuff, by now people will want the juice; about the grade 2 titanium case, with its Bremont signature ‘trip-tick’ construction which makes it slimmer, lighter, more durable and more comfortable than previous editions.
Durability, it’s designed to eject from planes and survive. Kind of all you need to know.
The design language, a bit like the kettle and coffee pot, is full of industrial intent but presented with an elegant in the know sophistication, yes it could be ripped straight from cockpit of a plane or prised from an old Land Rover, but it isn’t performative, it all has a purpose and is ruggedly beautiful today, tomorrow and will still be after 50 years wear. It looks great, great to others when spotted on wrists from afar and great to you the wearer, whether glanced or stared at every angle.
There is an inner rotating bezel, white and black markings with red arrow, perfect for timing everything and something I use at least 5/6 times a day.
Minutes sit in a recessed white band with black markings, white with black edge raised blocks indicate the 5 minute intervals.
Main face, is metal, brushed vertically; Bremont logo with Bremont compass above; at 6 three lines of text and a solid red arrow; ‘altitude’; ‘meteor’; ‘automatic’. Beneath the 6, ‘London’.
Date box with white base, black numerals, dashed exterior, dash matches dashes on edge of seconds hand.
Seconds hand, body is black with red tipped circle indicator and dashes opposite end.
Hours and minutes hands, white applied ‘Super-LumiNova’ with black edging, sword shape.
Hour markers, raised, black edges and more ‘Super-LumiNova’.
Domed crystal, which helps to showcase the depth and simple complexity of the dial, is so pleasing.
Two external crowns; top to change date, time and wind if needed; bottom to control the bezel. They are machined to match the outer workings of case which again I run fingers across and feel soothed.
This British made watch sits on a French made velcro Nato strap. An exhibition back showcases the anti-magnetic shielding and anti-shock protection which cuddles the Bremont BB14-AH movement, Bremont’s take on the La Joux-Perret G100 which is a Swiss made 4Hz automatic with 68 hour power reserve, frankly a go anywhere, do anything movement.
But why take the strap off to examine when there is so much to see up front. Is it the engine or the whole car.
The face is a work of depth, even if only the centre of face is bushed, the whole thing shimmers because of those layers.
Seconds hand glides, captures attention whilst watching.
Now attention and it’s capturing is important, I’m awful with phones in the expected sense, I have strict rules about putting it down each day and not picking it up until a set time the next.
It doesn’t matter how rigid, how strict you are, because it is the inadvertent pick up, the better check the time reflex which leads to unexpected and often hard to escape scrolling.
It could be work scrolling, email sending, checking the stuff which is actually important but, honestly can wait for when sat properly and concentrating.
More likely it is the comparison scrolling, we all do it, check one thing, then its another, then it’s a wasted hour with the simple outcome of feeling a bit blue.
This, amongst all it’s wonder, toughness and beauty, stops that. It’s a quick to pick up and hard to lose trait. Swift check of the time and move on, need to time something, again takes a moment and you carry on.
Like driving manual/stick then going to an automatic, the first few times, your left foot will move and hand will look for the lever.
And I love that about the MB, designed to eject from planes, I know I can throw life, my life at it.
It’s been tried on in meetings by CEO’s, designers, family and my friends 5 year old, who asked if they could inherit after I died.
Worn to handle all that country and city life offers, the list is exhaustive, but I did smile when on first morning I wore it, I had to move a dead sheep and the next as the sun broke deal with a significantly injured deer before heading home, shower, drive into London, trip to Trumpers, couple of meetings, picked up a shirt from Double RL and home again.
Since then it has been everywhere and for all of life and I haven’t had that “oh I better take this off” moment, preferring to just get on with it.
& I know the watch industry loves to present us with Herculean figures and their extraordinary feats, that’s great, makes me smile and I do kind of lap it up, but it’s even greater when it’s all about people who are great at what they do. People who are great at life, great at being human, those who are pushing things forward, that might be the big and grand, or it might be something small but not less important. Those at the top of their game.
Or those just living their life.
Sat in motorway jams, talkSPORT on.
Driving through London, windows open, city playing its symphony.
Or cruising the old Roman road, back way to Stonehenge and beyond.
Quiet chat in Auld Shil & lunch perhaps at Osip.
Talking of lunching, lots at home, in town and at The Three Horseshoes, an ultimate Bremont clad place.
The master McCullin at Hauser & Wirth than wandering The Newt thinking about light.
On the beach, next to perfumer H salt scented skin.
Tapping at my keyboard, clicking my camera, changing gears. Digging holes; physical and avoiding the meta, out of trouble but teasingly thinking of mischief, climbing and fixing fences, getting on with it.
Lots of doing, some fro-ing and bit of to-ing, and then stood there, on top of well they call it a hill, to this Welshman it’s a mound, but still I glance and time the ascent, today was leisurely, yesterday quicker and I stare out at paradise, a view the ancients would remember, but today seen by no one but me, my hounds & ‘that’ Bremont.
Why pop ‘that’ in apostrophe’s? It is simple international shorthand, for the places, things and people, where, which and who without trying rise up to mythical status, do. The un-thinktank-able, impervious to strategy, just actual, unadulterated cool.
In this case, ‘that’ thing is this Bremont, a tool, but one designed to enhance life and deepen human in the moment connection which becomes memory.
So where does that leave me?
Maybe I am a watch guy after all, I certainly cannot imagine not wearing one, would feel like giving up a good habit, does this mean the start of a collection? Maybe, maybe I’m ok with just one, I do know that the seductive power is in finding something which runs and lives with you, becomes a part of you rather than you defined by it.
As for the love, well it’s that two way street, it is a truly impressive thing, one which works, ticks and beats through my action, but what I really love about it, is how it deepens my appreciation and my love for what is around me.
A piece which deals with all that you throw at it, but also offers wonder in the idea of wearing something which is so technically complex, but offers such a simple solution, an aid against the prevailing mood, a memory maker, a memory reminder, a tool for life, my life.
Clothing Shown:
Double RL Matlock Chamois Workshirt
Double RL Waffle Knit Crewneck
Double RL Suede Western Shirt Jacket
Double RL Mason Wool Sports Shirt
Double RL Denim Western Shirt
Connolly Shetland
Anderson & Sheppard Suede Gloves
Visvim 101xx Denim jacket Raw
Drakes Waxed Coverall
Double RL Indigo Chamois Western
Double RL Wool Horse Blanket Shirt
Double RL Wool, Cotton & Silk Beacon Vest
Visvim Mayan Belt
Double RL Lynn Chore Coat
The Real McCoy’s Milk Loopwheel Sweat
Double RL Stockton Denim Chore
Rocky Mountain Featherbed Christy Vest
Double RL Matlock Plaid Twill Shirt
Double RL Jackley Wool Cotton Type II
Bremont has a fascinating story, my intention is to tell this over a number of other Bremont articles I have planned. If there is anything in particular that people want to hear about, please let me know in the usual way.