Bremont - A meeting with Giles English, a bittersweet moment.
Bremont is the “quintessential British brand” that has enjoyed a warm reception from critics and watch collectors alike.
The brand which continues its ascendancy in terms of popularity was borne out of tragedy. Nick English and his father Euan, were involved in a catastrophic plane crash which ended the life of Nick’s father.
Nick was badly injured but the accident provided the necessary impetus for him to establish his own watch brand with his brother Giles.
Nick English and Giles are keen aviators. They named the company after Antoine Bremont , a French farmer, who kindly provided safe refuge when the plane they were flying needed to set down quickly.
Basel 2012 - the Victory Watch
An informal soirée on Thursday 8th March was provided for friends of the brand and fellow journalists. The evening provided welcome respite from the frenetic pace of rushing around the exhibition trying to keep to appointments with watch brands to see their latest offerings.
The two brothers, refreshingly attired in casual clothes, dispensing with the corporate dress code of other brands, made a short speech. They then revealed a few details of their forthcoming new model, the Victory Watch.
The Victory Watch will be limited due to the very nature of its manufacture. The mechanical retrograde timepiece incorporates parts of the historical ship including pieces of timber and copper which were salvaged during the restoration of the ship. Some of the proceeds from the sale of the watch will be used to contribute to the refurbishment costs of the ship. The watch will no doubt be readily snapped up by keen collectors after it is launched on the 12th July 2012.
Basel 2012 - meeting Giles English
I find myself in Basel on the morning after the night before. I am feeling a little jaded after the extended period of socialising at various events.
I commence chatting to Giles and quickly establish this is a man with an engineering background with a strong desire to create watches influenced by pilot’s watches of yesteryear but with a modern appearance.
Look at the case of a Bremont timepiece and you will see the absence of small scratches typically found on stainless steel cases. This is because the cases are hardened to 2000 Vickers by a company based in Cambridge who also does work for aerospace companies on jet engines. The result is a stainless steel case with a satin look which is resistant to annoying blemishes which would otherwise detract from the overall appearance.
It is the thoroughness of the construction and robust character which marks these watches out as something a little special. The cases are a complex marriage of three parts. When a watch is returned to Bremont for servicing the top bezel can be exchanged where any dents or dings can be rendered to memory.
Peter Roberts, the Technical Director of the company, has a proven history as a watchmaker first as a pupil and subsequently as a lecturer. Peter is a Fellow of the British Horological Institute and this is testament to the knowledge and skill he brings to the Bremont brand. I have watched Peter on several occasions on You Tube describe the superb shock absorbing characteristics of the neoprene ring which surrounds the movement.
The calibres are ETA /Sellita movements but with the benefit of customisation and fine finishing which will delight the owner. Stare at the movement and you will see circular graining on the plate and blued screws. Moreover, each Bremont is COSC certifed. This company does not eschew finissage despite the relatively low price point.
It is the mechanical integrity and elevated engineering which differentiates Bremont from mere frivolous fashion-orientated brands. As Oscar Wilde once said “Fashion is a form of ugliness so intolerable that we have to alter it every six months”. This is clearly not the case with Bremont, there is a longevity in their work with timeless styling that will transcend the disposable traits of fashion.
Bitter-sweet
During our conversation, Nick was looking for some of the models stored in the room where we sat.
It was only after a persistent search for the errant timepieces that reality set in and the realisation that 14 watches had been stolen dawned on those present. It was a sickening moment as the tumbleweed blew past us.
Some of the models were prototypes. Moreover, with only one Basel event each year, the absence of the watches would mean important meetings with retailers wishing to place orders would happen without the necessary samples to exhibit.
It took five years of Giles and Nick burning the midnight oil before a watch was sold. A huge personal sacrifice and yet some opportunist felt it was acceptable to take these timepieces during the party the previous evening.
A simple cautionary piece of advice is always buy your Bremont from an authorised retailer as no doubt somewhere these will be sold over the internet or via a less reputable retailer, yet they have scarred provenance and limited saleability. The theft referred to highlights the danger in buying watches from any source than one properly validated.
I would normally conclude an interview with a few posed pictures with my interviewee as I breathe in to negate a few inches on the waistline. However, the enjoyment of interviewing Giles and being in the company of these two brothers was marred by this opportunistic crime.
They showed amazing resolve with little outward signs of upset, but then these are men with British chutzpah and despite the momentary crosswinds, these aviators I am sure will continue their ascent.
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