British marque Bremont has taken design inspiration from all kinds of sources through the years, starting from basic Jaguar racing prototypes to the British navy, however the core of the model’s ethos has at all times been aviation. The ALT1 line of chronographs has lengthy been one of many clearest and finest examples of Bremont’s aviation-flavored model, and with two new bulletins for 2020 the collection extends its pool of flying inspirations to incorporate the ultimate Mark XIX mannequin of the legendary Supermarine Spitfire fighter aircraft, in addition to the cutting-edge world of jet-powered wingsuit flight. Each new fashions, the ALT1-C Griffon and the ALT1-P2 JET, reinterpret the ALT1’s basic sports activities chronograph method in dramatically alternative ways.
The primary of those, the Bremont ALT1-C Griffon, is undoubtedly the extra elegant and refined of the 2 fashions. Constructing on the ALT1-C design that has been a staple of the model since its inception in 2007, the Griffon pays tribute to the ultimate era Mark XIX Supermarine Spitfire fighter of WWII (certainly one of only a few variants to be powered by the Rolls-Royce Griffon engine, therefore the title) with a extra elegant and aged really feel. The 43mm stainless case follows Bremont’s signature format, with a classical, barely rounded look from above punctuated by the unique-ribbed DLC-coated central case that dominates the facet profile. Talking of the facet profile, it’s right here the place one of many main considerations with the watch’s design crops up. Whereas the ALT1-C Griffon goals to be Bremont’s extra refined, gentlemanly sports activities chronograph, the case is a full 16mm-thick. Coupled with the completely trendy 43mm diameter, the dimensions of the ALT1-C Griffon feels at odds with its design objectives.
As soon as one strikes previous the case, nonetheless, the design of the Bremont ALT1-C Griffon turns into targeted and clear. Whereas the weather themselves are easy and elemental, the magic of the Griffon’s dial is basically within the particulars. All the things feels brilliantly proportioned, with clear, gauge-like printed Arabic numerals completely balanced towards the dimensions of the chronograph subdials and the Speedmaster-esque pointed baton arms. The 12 o’clock marker is only a hair bigger than the remaining, creating an prompt orientation level and appearing as a visible counterweight to the 6 o’clock date window with out feeling misplaced. The matte black of the primary dial floor, coupled with the pale gold printed accents of the subdials and outer seconds monitor, assist to promote the concept of age and patina subtly with out leaning on the standby of khaki lume.
The ALT1-C Griffon is powered by a modified in-house Caliber BE-50AE automated motion. Past spectacular technical specs, together with COSC chronometer ranking, a Nivaflex 1 mainspring, and a stability spring product of superior Anachron coupled to a Gluycdur stability, the view of the motion by means of the sapphire caseback is a good-looking one (though the intricate cutout sample on the customized rotor is of radial engine elements, whereas the namesake Rolls-Royce Griffon was a V12, however that’s nitpicking). Energy reserve sits at 42 hours.
Bremont presents the ALT1-C Griffon on a alternative of both a vintage-look brown leather-based strap or an oyster model three-link bracelet. Whereas the bracelet is good, the nice and cozy aged forged of the dial actually comes alive when paired with leather-based. The Bremont ALT1-C Griffon is on the market now from approved sellers at a beginning MSRP of $6,695.
For these searching for a extra trendy and aggressive tackle the ALT1 method, Bremont has additionally unveiled the ALT1-P2 JET, a blacked-out follow-up to the unique Bremont JET worn by movie star Tom Hardy within the 2018 blockbuster movie “Venom”. Whereas this specific mannequin is slated to co-star alongside Hardy later this 12 months in Venom 2, Bremont’s personal testing of the ALT1-P2 JET is almost as super-heroic. As a way to correctly put the watch by means of its paces, Bremont contracted Gravity Industries, designers of revolutionary arm-mounted miniature jet engines, to strap on the ALT1-P2 JET for jet-powered wingsuit take a look at flights at speeds of as much as 85 miles per hour.
The watch options the identical 43mm multi-part case because the ALT1-C Griffon, however this time it’s absolutely rendered in matte black DLC chrome steel. The general impact is stealthy and aggressive, way more trendy than its WWII-inspired stablemate. Even the sapphire show again is smoked right here to finish the blackout look.
Just like the case, the dial of the ALT1-P2 JET is a extra critical, trendy, and aggressive tackle the identical base components. The numerals, though slimmer, are bigger right here, and the arms have been changed with broad military-style Roman swords. The black dial itself stays stealthily matte, whereas a beneficiant fill of Bremont’s distinctive “’51” fauxtina lume provides some heat.
The ALT1-P2 JET is powered by the in-house COSC chronometer-rated BE-53AE automated motion. Very comparable in general building to the BE-50AE used within the ALT1-C Griffon, the BE-53AE provides a 3rd register at 6 o’clock and strikes the date wheel to four:30. In any other case, the identical suite of superior supplies, 28,800 bph sweep, and 42-hour energy reserve are all carried over.
Bremont pairs the ALT1-P2 JET with a alternative of both a minimalist black leather-based strap or black DLC-coated oyster-style bracelet. Pricing for the ALT1-P2 JET begins at $5,595, and the watch is on the market now by means of Bremont approved sellers. For extra data on both of those new additions, please go to the model’s web site.
