Hands-on with the Bremont Argonaut Bronze

The new Bremont bronze diving watch joins the company’s Armed Forces collection and comes complete with an internal rotating bezel, a 300-meter water resistance, and a stylish sailcloth strap

Part of the new Bremont Townhouse Collection for 2022 includes the new Bremont Argonaut Bronze watch. This pedigree, belonging to the British watchmaker’s Armed Forces Collection, pays tribute to Her Majesty’s Armed Forces in two new colourways and - as official stockists for Bremont watches - we were selected to attend the brand’s exclusive event this week to view all its latest releases and limited editions. Here’s what we know about the new Bremont Argonaut Bronze watch…

The Bremont Argonaut Bronze watch is the manufacturer’s latest edition to the Armed Forces Collection. When the Argonaut first launched a few years ago it was a breath of fresh air, with no integrated bracelet – no octagonal bezel – no blue dial! It was part of a trio of watches created in partnership with the Ministry of Defence, boasting a military derived styling that featured all three Heraldic badges within its design. This new bronze Argonaut watch remains faithful to its dedicated role underwater. Dive-ready and crafted from one of the industry’s most popular materials right now, the new Bremont Argonaut Bronze watch couldn’t be more current if it tried.

The Bremont Argonaut Bronze watch is no run-of-the-mill design. Its case, crafted from marine metal in CuSn8 bronze, creates a striking look on the wrist and develops a patina of its own over time. This is the interesting thing about a bronze watch. Its warming, vintage dive instrument look is determined to age, giving it an old-world feel and if you’re extra nerdy – you’re going to love the watch’s internally rotating bezel. Controlled by the crown at 4 o’clock, it offers a light audible click when in use. Whenever you’re going in for a two-crown dive watch, the functionality and ease of these crowns are crucial to guaranteeing a reliable and wrist-worthy dive watch. Here, the crown is supported by some of the best crown threading, making the bezel incredibly easy to action. Quickly set the bezel and re-screw the crown for any time-measuring task at home too. Both of the crowns screw-down, most importantly, assisting with the model’s 300-meter water resistance.

The new Bremont Argonaut Bronze watch is dedicated to Navy personnel. The model measures a 43mm diameter and comes in two iterations; a black dial and an unusual naval “sargasso” blue dial. Both feature the collective historic and Heraldic Badges of the three services clearly stamped on their closed steel case backs. If you remember, back in 2019 when Bremont partnered up with the Ministry of Defence (MoD), it was the first and sole luxury watch producer legitimately allowed to use the signs, symbols and Heraldic Badges of all three services: the Royal Navy, British Army and Royal Air Force.

Bremont co-founder, Nick English extends on the exceptional opportunity to work with the MoD;

“We are incredibly proud of our association with the MoD and their recognition of our close military connections, especially having recently been granted the Armed Forces Covenant Silver Award signifying Bremont’s continued support and fair treatment of those who serve or have served in the armed forces and their families. The Argonaut Bronze is a fantastic addition to the collection, offering a contemporary diver’s watch rooted in naval history”.

Why bronze?

Why bronze for the new Bremont Argonaut watch? Many reasons, many. Bronze has become an increasingly popular case material to use in a dive watch. Renowned for its corrosion-resistant properties and resistance to damage caused by salt water, the material has been used in naval engineering for years and provides a very solid solution to venturing in and out of water in hot climates, where salt is likely to dry on the surface of the watch case almost instantly. CuSn8 has a copper alloy with 8% tin composition. The tin adds strength, wear and resistance to the case, whilst the copper takes on a journey of its own, changing colour as it ages.

The other details…

In addition to its bronze case and 300-meter water resistance, the new Bremont Argonaut Bronze follows in the footsteps of the strict performance specifications of the 1940s Dirty Dozen watches with luminous markers, a robust case and chronometer certification. Super-LumiNova markings are presented on the markings of the internal bezel on both the blue and black dial variations, as well as the central satin-finished bronze hands and the hour track represented in a mix of Arabic numerals and stick markers. The navy blue dial iteration features a light blue 60-minute track for the bezel, characterised by an orange arrow marker at 12 o’clock. The black-on-black dial model, however, offers a more classic and versatile option for wearing in the evening and features a date, like the blue dial model, at 3 o’clock. The entire dial of the new Bremont Argonaut Bronze watch is protected by a domed piece of anti-reflective and scratch-resistant sapphire crystal glass. Both watches feature a red-tipped second hand too.

The two new Bremont Argonaut Bronze watches are powered by the modified Calibre BE-92AV – a chronometer-certified automatic movement that beats to the rhythm of 28,800 vibrations per hour and delivers a 38-hour power reserve. A blue or black sailcloth strap to match each respective dial complements both the black and naval blue Argonaut watches, complete with a bronze-coloured pin buckle. If you’d like more information on these two new Armed Forces watches by Bremont, you can check out the details in full here, or call and speak to a member of our sales team at Jura Watches on 01335 453453.

Technical specifications of the new Bremont Argonaut Bronze watch

• Case: 42mm – height: 12.7mm - solid CuSn8 bronze – 300-meter water resistance – internal rotating bezel and crown at 4 o’clock – two screw-down crowns – domed anti-reflective and scratch-resistant sapphire crystal glass front – stamped steel caseback bearing the three Heraldic badges of the MoD
• Dial: Black or Naval “Sargasso” Blue metal – Super-LumiNova hour markers and hands – luminous markings on internal bezel – date window at 3 o’clock – bronze hands with satin-finished surface – red-tipped second hand
• Movement: Calibre BE-92AV – 38-hour power reserve – 28800 vph – anachron balance spring – glucydor balance wheel – nivaflex mainspring – central hour, minutes, seconds date functions
• Strap: Blue/ black – sailcloth – bronze-coloured pin buckle fastening – engraved with the Bremont name
• Price: £3,195