Bremont and Bamford team up again in a British powerhouse combo to produce their latest piece, the ‘Aurora’ – a Supermarine GMT inspired by the Northern Lights – The Aurora Borealis.
Bremont is one brand that is on a mission to put British watchmaking back on the map, and slowly but surely they are. Under the stewardship of Davide Cerrato, the brand is looking to the future and etching its own path in a very much Swiss-dominated world. Their brand DNA is one aspect that sets them apart, and the fact they are heavily into designing watches specifically for adventure and outdoor use is in our opinion helping to create this space for them – a space that Rolex carved out in the middle of last century making built for purpose tool watches, but nowadays are seen as less tool watch, and more for investment pieces unfortunately. So there is space once again for a watch company to create pieces for modern-day adventurers, and Bremont is doing just that.
This is the second time Bremont and George Bamford have teamed up to produce a Bremont X Bamford collaboration. The first piece was a stealth-looking Supermarine S500 in black DLC and a Bamford Blue California Dial, limited to just 250 pieces and now sold out. It was actually a very good-looking piece and one that was in high demand from collectors. Looking at the image below, you can see why!
“Joining forces with George following the sell-out success of the first collaboration between Bremont and Bamford Watch Dept has been an exciting adventure. I have always been fascinated by the challenge of creating a timepiece that is as compelling in the dark as it is in the light. Working with George I am thrilled that we have achieved a luminous show which mirrors the magic and spectacle of the aurora borealis.”
Davide Cerrato – Bremont CEO
The new Supermarine piece the two British watchmakers have joined forces to create is a sequel or sort to the first collaboration. Limited to 500 pieces, the design is defined by the striking all-black finish with masses of green emission Super-LumiNova®, reminiscent of the Aurora Borealis’ dancing ribbons of light which the piece takes its inspiration from thanks to the handiwork of George Bamford.
Still using a Supermarine S500 series as the base, Bamford and Bremont this time have given us a GMT version – similar to the S502 GMT Jet, but with all the stylings and flair that is George Bamford. Inspired by the spirit of adventure and chasing the Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis) the Bremont Bamford Auroa showcases luminescent green accents through the California dial and GMT bezel set against the 43mm jet-black DLC Trip-Tick case. Just take a look at some of these location shoots Bremont and George did and you’ll understand just where the inspiration comes from.
Keeping with the theme of the original collaboration, the Bremont Bamford Aurora features a California sandwich dial, this time in green Super-LumiNova®, making for ease of reading at night time a breeze due to an entire luminescent disc sitting under the dial with the numerals cut out. Adding to this, the matt black hour and minute hands are filled with green Super-LumiNova®, and a matt black and gloss green GMT hand is filled with green Super-LumiNova®. The gloss green centre second hand stands out sweeping around the dial with it’s arrow-like look cutting through the black.
The GMT bezel is bi-coloured polished Sapphire with 24-hour markers to set the GMT time to, and to make things easy for day and night hours, the daytime hours or bottom half of the bezel is done in the same green lume as the dial and hands. The nighttime half is jet black, but the numerals give off a green glow for ease of reading. Being a dive watch, the knurling is large so it can be gripped easily underwater, or in this instance, with gloved hands when out in the Arctic night.
Flipping the watch over, you have a black DLC caseback, with a relief of an original Supermarine aircraft (from which the watch was named) plus its depth rating and anti-magnetic and anti-shock properties. Being a Bremont, it’s a certified chronometer and like all Bremonts, is tested to withstand some harsh treatment – perhaps why they have the tagline – “Tested Beyond Endurance”. The piece also comes with a matching black nubuck leather strap, complete with green stitching to match the dial.
Final Thoughts
Bremont is one watch brand that you want to do well. Perhaps it’s the underdog story and you’re sitting back rooting for them, or perhaps it’s because they represent something humanistic – like two brothers having a dream and doing whatever they could to bring it to life and embedding their and their Father’s love of flying, adventure and watches into the DNA of the brand. Whatever it is, it’s a story that still has a long way to go. With this collaboration with George Bamford, it’s another sign that Bremont is taking to ensure British watchmaking is slow and surely coming back.
As for the piece itself, it is unique and a piece not for the faint of heart or wrist. It’s bold and out there, but it’s designed to be this way. It’s the perfect explorer’s companion on the wrist, and with functionality and legibility at the core, we would imagine this is one watch that will pique the interest of the collector community as well as those who fancy themselves a bit of an adventurer, even if it’s just at heart! Or maybe it’s a watch that gives you the excuse to get out there and take that trip you’ve always wanted to, somewhere off the beaten track. Maybe some of the below few images will help!
Reference: S502 Supermarine Diver GMT Bremont Bamford Aurora Special Edition – limited to 500 pieces
Specification
- Case: 43mm, 16.5mm thick, and 51mm lug to lug
- Case Material: DLC treated stainless steel Bremont Trip-Tick case construction with uni-directional bezel.
- Bezel: Polished sapphire bezel insert with green Super- LumiNova® day section and night numerals.
- Dial: Sandwich dial with green Super-LumiNova®. Matt black hour, minute & GMT hands filled with green Super-LumiNova® (green emission). Gloss green centre second hand.
- Crystal: Domed anti-reflective, scratch-resistant sapphire crystal
- Water Resistance: 500m (50ATM)
- Movement: Bremont Modified Calibre 11 1/2’’’ BE-932AV automatic chronometer, pivoting on 25 jewels and beating at 4Hz / 28,800 VPH and chronometer certified.
- Power Reserve: 50 hours
- Strap: Black nubuck leather with green stitching and DLC-treated pin buckle.
