Unveiling the new Bremont Supermarine Chrono Watch

The new Bremont Supermarine Chrono watch is an extensively tested chronograph for marine use that exceeds the expectations outlined by elite military squadrons and some of the world’s top dive units.

The new Bremont Supermarine Chrono looks and feels incredibly solid on the wrist. Its design illustrates the evolution of the well-built quintessential diver’s watch that first took the world by storm back in 2009. Tested far beyond the realms of day-to-day endurance, the new chronograph iteration of the steadfast Supermarine watch is endorsed by a new brand ambassador, Jason Fox and has undergone extensive testing to prove its resistance to some of the most arduous conditions. The new Bremont Supermarine Chrono watch is available in a black or deep blue colour scheme, both of which are offered on a metal bracelet or a sporty integrated rubber strap.

The Supermarine dive watch collection

Right from its beginnings, Bremont acquired the attention it deserved for its impeccably crafted timepieces, winning the Walpole Award for Best Emerging British Luxury Brand in 2008, just a year after its first wristwatches were made available to the public. Bremont watches were - upon first glance -  impressive, beautifully detailed but all so very subtle – totally British in fact. What’s more, each timepiece to leave the Henley-on-Thames-based workshop was COSC-certified. It was clear from the beginning Bremont watches would stick. They would resonate with avid enthusiasts, aviation experts, luxury watch collectors, historians and those knowledgeable in the field of aerodynamics. The British watchmaker uniquely presented itself, combining a passion for historical aircraft with quality mechanical timekeeping. In addition to this, Bremont watches began appealing to professional and amateur divers, particularly after the brand’s first Supermarine watch was released several years ago.

The first Supermarine watch was the 500 model, designed in true Bremont spirit with a hardened stainless steel case reaching 2000 Vickers and a toughness that proved ten times greater than standard 316L stainless steel used throughout the watch industry during this time. The original Supermarine 500 featured a screw-on crown protector, a bezel with a sapphire ring, luminous plots, a helium escape valve and a 43mm 500-meter water-resistant case crafted from Bremont’s Trip-Tick ® Construction.

The new Bremont Supermarine Chrono watch

Designed, once again, in tribute to the Bremont brother’s love of the iconic British aircraft manufacturer responsible for designing the Supermarine S6B Schneider Trophy Seaplane and the Supermarine Spitfire - the new Chronograph Supermarine watch still ties in strongly with the brand’s aviation heritage, as does the Bremont S501 model belonging to the same collection.

A surprisingly slim case:

The new Supermarine watch’s three-piece case construction comprises a DLC-coated and treated middle barrel which contains the movement, a stainless steel caseback embedded with a flat crystal glass exhibition caseback and a bi-directional rotating laser engraved ceramic bezel that matches the respective colour of its dial. In addition to these features, the case design also features a screw-down crown to ensure the watch’s promise of 200-meter water resistance is adequately met. A pair of screw-down chronograph pushers are the differentiating features on the case of the new Supermarine watch. These provide effortless handling over the new chronograph features. The case measures a broad 43mm diameter, remaining faithful to robust Supermarine watches of the past. Not typical of a sports watch, however, is the watch’s slim and unimposing case depth of just 15.8mm. Despite its slight dimensions, it provides plenty of space for the La Joux Perret 7754 calibre chronograph to do its job.

The new chronograph dial:

The dial is where the Bremont Supermarine Chrono watch differs significantly from any other models within the collection. Bremont’s choice to equip the dial with a sophisticated trio of chronograph counters adds an unapologetically sporty look to the wrist. Whether you’re opting for the marine blue or black dial colours, the silver-filled chronograph scales arranged in a 12-6-9 formation keep the display looking well-balanced and clear. The metal dial surface offers up a set of Super-LumiNova coated central hour and minute hands crafted from bronze plated steel, along with an hour track featuring baton markers. The red-coated GMT hand with its iconic arrow-shaped tip is to be used in conjunction with a 24-hour scale around the bezel. This second time zone makes the watch a great choice for utilising as a travel companion.

Joining a 30-minute scale at 12 o’clock, a 12-hour totaliser at 6 o’clock and a running seconds feature at 9 o’clock - a date window nestled between the 4 and 5 o’clock hour marker can be easily referenced. The 60-minute scale around the periphery of the dial finishes the sporty look of the new Bremont Supermarine Chrono watch perfectly, sitting under a lens crafted from sapphire crystal glass. This impressively hard glass is treated with layers and layers of anti-reflective technology to rid the dial of any undesirable glare.

The engine:

Based on the La Joux Perret 7754 calibre, the BE-54AE automatic chronometer comprises a Glucydur balance, 25 jewels, an Anachron balance spring and a Nivaflex 1 mainspring, enabling it to carry out its performance of 28,800 vibrations per hour. Bremont adds its own modification to the calibre, decorating the skeletonised and moulded rotor for admiring through the watch’s glass caseback. It also provides a useful 42-hour running time for those periods off the wrist.

Strap options:

Both the blue and black dial and bezel versions of the new Bremont Supermarine Chrono watch can be purchased on either a stainless steel bracelet with links executed in a mix of polished and brushed finishes or a rubber strap to match the watch’s respective colours. The integrated black and blue rubber straps impart a sporty feel on the wrist and secure with an equally robust stainless steel fastening.

Reinforcing the need for a rugged and ready dive-come-sports watch is former Royal Marine Commando and Special Forces Operator, Jason Fox who has shone a light on the mental and physical endurance of our Special Forces before when he featured in Channel 4’s ‘Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins'. Fox has endorsed the ThruDark brand, which became friends with Bremont last year, sharing its principles with the watchmaker on the importance of adequate clothing and equipment for exploring inhospitable environments. Now sporting a Supermarine Chrono on his wrist, Jason Fox explains:

“As a long-standing friend of the brand I’ve been familiar with the product range for some time and have been wearing Bremont for a number of years already. I have been ‘tested beyond endurance’ my entire life so can fully relate to the brand ethos. I admire and respect what Nick and Giles (Bremont Co-Founders) have managed to achieve, and I can vouch for the quality of the product which has never let me down to date. The Supermarine Chrono is tough, durable, easy to read in hectic situations, reliable in tough situations and it looks slick.”