Bremont's New H1 Timing Standard, Trialled by the ENG300 Movement Series

Bremont has taken a huge leap forward recently with the development of its proprietary movement – the ENG300 and now the H1 Timing Standard -  a strict and rigorous chronometer testing platform that is carried out in-house and in line with the ISO3159:2009 chronometer test.

An introduction from Giles English himself; “This is the most significant launch for us as a business because we have finally been able to scale up our production to be able to introduce the ENG300 movements in core watch collections and invested in our own chronometer testing, it represents a massive step forward for us as a business.”

After Bremont spent a good year promoting its new Henley-on-Thames watchmaking facility - the Wing – it seemed only natural that the British manufacturer should put some focus back into its quest to develop an in-house movement. To do that, it vastly modified the K1 movement, so much that it became the ENG300, stamped with the “Made in England” lettering and fitted to the heart of the Bremomt Longitude Limited Edition. It was equipped with a tungsten rotor and featured a beautiful, well-proportioned layout promising a 65-hour power reserve. Created in collaboration with Greenwich Royal Observatory, the Longitude Limited Edition watch was a homage to the prime Meridian and incorporated a real piece of brass taken from the original Meridian marker. It was the perfect special edition collectable to celebrate this milestone achievement. Bremont was 100% assembling the parts of this movement within its Henley-on-Thames manufacturing facilities and subjecting it to the Martin Baker Ejection Seat test which, the brand confirmed, had passed with flying colours. Now the revolutionary ENG300 movement is housed in the British watchmaker’s first core collection timepieces. These include the new Supernova watch, the Bremont Fury and the Audley, which we’ll be looking at in a little more detail soon. What’s more, each ENG300 movement is subject to the brand’s new in-house chronometer H1 Timing standard.

When Nick and Giles founded the Bremont company back in 2002, they had the vision to bring watchmaking back to its British roots on full scale. It may have taken years to reach this point but success does not come overnight and if there is one British watchmaker who deserves its position in the industry as one of the world’s top chronometer manufacturers, it’s Bremont. To mark 20 years since the launch of the British watch brand, Bremont is releasing, for the first time, three core range timepieces powered by this Bremont-manufactured movement. Across these three collections is one common attribute – a movement from Bremont’s new ENG300 series.

Inside The Wing, a new manufacturing line has been produced to create the base plates for each movement. It marks the first time in 50 years that a British movement has been produced on such a large scale. Despite it being a common occurrence to test watch movements without their auto wind mechanisms and their date discs, Bremont risks absolutely nothing and leaves no room for error with the testing of the new ENG300 movement via its new H1 Timing Standard.

Each movement from the ENG300 series is tested complete with its rotor. Whilst operational and fitted with all its complications, the calibre is tested in the company’s Henley-on-Thames-based two-storey, 35,000 square foot facilities - The Wing. The H1 quality and endurance test is in-line with ISO testing standards and takes its name from Harrison’s first H1 marine timekeeper developed between the years 1730 and 1735. The experimental timekeeper answered the problem of measuring Longitude out at sea. To develop a British chronometer test to these standards is no mean feat but fully underscores Bremont’s background in horological breakthroughs since its 2002 origins.

What’s new for the Bremont ENG300 movement?

The new ENG300 movement by Bremont will feature in the three new core collections: Fury, Supernova, and Audley. One collection set to be an instant success is the Bremont Supernova, available in Pitch Black, Midnight Blue and Albus white. Its time is taken from Nova meaning “New” and is defined by the brand’s first integrated bracelet, its hardened bezel, its Trip-Tick case construction and its anti-shock movement mount. The Supernova watch is a universally appealing dress watch that will pair well with all attire and features a classic three-handed dial layout alongside a recessed power reserve to show the current status of the in-house ENG300 movement and its remaining energy.

Also governed by a calibre from the ENG300 movement series is the Bremont Fury – a timepiece that honours the brand’s heritage in aviation and its roots in producing precise instruments for all air-bound pursuits. The Bremont Fury shows the performance of the ENG300 movement through its caseback, just like the Supernova movement, but features a pilot-inspired dial accompanied by a sunray-finished power reserve indicator at 6 o’clock against a rich blue or classic black dial. Unlike the Supernova watch, which is powered by the ENG375, the new Fury watch is controlled by the ENG365 but comes fitted inside another Trip-Tick case construction. The Bremont Fury watch is inspired by historical aircraft spanning from the 1930s Hawker Fury to the 1940s Hawker Sea Fury used during the Second World War.

Lastly, but also powered by a movement from Bremont’s ENG300 series, is the Bremont Audley, with a design and a style that constitutes a timeless dress watch. Its crisp dial layout is owed to its legible hands as Arabic numeral hour markers dressed against a silver dial, with a choice to be made between a stainless steel case or an indulgent 18ct rose gold case. Sharing its heart with the Fury, the ENG365 offers a 65-hour power reserve and secures comfortably to the wrist with a stylish brown leather strap. The Audley watch belongs to Bremont’s Mayfair collection, which pays tribute to the company’s first Flagship boutique in London.

Developing its own chronometer testing facilities and upscaling this new in-house developed movement to drive these three new core timepieces is a brave move by Bremont but one that its loyal British customers have long awaited and back whole-heartedly.

If you would like more information on the new Bremont H1 Generation collection, the full range can be explored in more detail here. For more direct information on availability, however, you can call and speak to a member of our sales team on 01335 453453.