Reviewing the Steel Bremont Longitude Limited Edition

Bremont proudly presents a steel, rose gold and white gold Longitude Limited Edition watch, powered by the brand’s first manufacture movement. The design features a piece of original brass taken from the Flamsteed Meridian Line at the Royal Observatory Greenwich, London, creating a ring around the propriety ENG376 movement seen through a sapphire glass caseback

Figuring out a system for longitude whilst out at sea saved a loss of both lives and ships after the 1600s. But it was no easy task. It took over 100 years to master. Meanwhile, thousands of lives were lost at sea, never to be recovered. Tens of thousands of people, including maritime navies, perished along with their boats before someone devoted the time it needed to map out almost 3000 stars to come up with a point of reference that would one day be used as the centre of time and longitude zero. It was the first astronomer Royal, John Flamsteed who was given the task of ‘perfecting the art of navigation at sea’. Acquiring an accurate map of the stars using his telescopic instrument, the foundations for accurate timekeeping and navigation were laid. By the late eighteenth century, almost all sea vessels were using this very effective charting system.

Precision is also paramount to Bremont and so, in partnership with Greenwich’s Royal Observatory, the watchmaker pays homage to this point in history with a special limited edition run off 150 stainless steel Longitude watches. The model accompanies 75 pieces of 18ct white gold version and 75 pieces of 18ct rose gold version – each one of which is powered by an in-house movement and measures a 40mm diameter. The stainless steel Limited Edition Longitude watch from Bremont is equipped with 100-meter water resistance and features an original piece of brass taken from the Flamsteed Meridian Line at the Royal Observatory Greenwich, London.

The new ENG300 movement

If not for the exclusivity of the watch alone, the limited edition Longitude watch in stainless steel is also equipped with a manufacture movement named the ENG376, which belongs to Bremont’s new series of automatic calibres, modified from a THE+ movement. Bremont acquired IP of the movement and has added several components to it that enhance resistance to magnetism, shock and adverse external conditions. The movement is tested and assembled upon workbenches occupied by many watchmaking apprentices that Bremont has invested in to support the launch of its new Henley-on-Thames-based watchmaking facility – The Wing.

The shock-proof and tough ENG300 movement is equipped with a silicon escapement for improved resistance against magnetic fields, a full tungsten rotor, a full balance bridge to support the free-sprung balance wheel assembly (which also bears the “Made in England” hallmark), a modified wheel bridge, and traditional adjustment screws. Alongside its impressive power reserve of 65 hours and a performance of 25,200 vibrations per hour, the movement also puts its rhodium-plated bridges with a gold plated automatic bridge on show through a see-through sapphire crystal glass caseback. Surrounding this intricate arrangement is the brass meridian ring, which can also be admired through the sapphire-backed case. It bears an engraving of the watch’s individual serial number upon its surface.

The flat integrated sapphire crystal glass caseback is the same material used for the domed anti-reflective front of the watch, granting a clear and unhindered view of a black metal dial with a raised central globe and debossed longitude lines. As far as the hour track goes, the stick markers are treated with Super-LumiNova, whilst the traditional polished and applied Roman numeral at 12 o’clock retains a classic look across the dial. There’s also a recessed small second sub-dial located at 9 o’clock, balanced by a large date aperture at 3 o’clock. These features, together with polished nickel-plated central hands, are surrounded by a chapter ring displaying the minutes. The red circular power reserve indicator at 6 o’clock echoes the Greenwich Time Ball, which rises and falls once a day to signal the 1pm mark to passing sailors. When the indicator shows red, it communicates that the Calibre ENG376 is full of power.

The new stainless steel Bremont Limited Edition Longitude watch, exclusive to just 150 pieces, is available to pre-order at Jura Watches along with the 18ct white gold version here, or the 18ct rose gold version here. Alternatively, you can call our sales team on 01335 453453 to discuss the details of any of the three models further.

Technical specifications of the Bremont Limited Edition Longitude Stainless Steel watch

• Case: 40mm – stainless steel - Trip-Tick® construction with scratch-resistant PVD treated case barrel – 50-meter water-resistant – integrated flat sapphire crystal caseback -domed anti-reflective sapphire crystal glass front – original brass ring of meridian line insert with longitude coordinates for the Royal Observatory in Greenwich – onion-shaped screw-down crown
• Dial: Black - metal - raised central globe with debossed longitude lines - meridian line running from 12H to 6H – polished applied Roman numeral/stick markers treated with SLN – big date at 3 o’clock – recessed small second at 9 o’clock – power reserve indicator at 6 o’clock – nickel-plated hands – silver minute chapter ring
• Movement: In-house manufacture – Bremont ENG376 from the ENG300 series – self-winding – 22 jewels – silicone escape wheel – tungsten oscillating weight – Bremont finishes and decoration – 65-hour power reserve – 25,20 v.p.h
• Strap: Dark Brown – alligator leather – white contrast stitching
• Reference: LONGITUDE-SS-R
• Availability: Limited to 150 pieces worldwide
• Price: £14,995