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The Terra Nova, purpose-built as a rugged watch, gets a complete and unrecognisable makeover! Adding beauty to the beast, Bremont has made two sets of unique Jump Hour models.

A rebranding is always a tricky thing to execute. Get it wrong, and you risk alienating your entire fan base, pushing them away from your product for good. On the other hand, a successful rebranding can change the look and feel of your brand, but it might still alienate some loyal fans who preferred the original. It’s a delicate balancing act — a situation that often seems like a lose-lose for many brands.

British watchmakers Bremont, however, aren’t like most brands. Their relative youth, especially when compared to the other household names in modern watchmaking, has allowed them to position themselves uniquely in the market. Historically, this position was centred around aviation and military-inspired styles, but the brand’s versatility and youthful vigour has allowed them to undergo a full-scale transformation, establishing an identity known for producing hardy, bold British timepieces.

Related Reading: In Person With Davide Cerrato, CEO of Bremont

That’s not to say, however, that Bremont didn’t face some resistance. The rebranding under the leadership of Davide Cerrato was met with mixed results. This rebranding was somewhat sudden, spearheaded by two key collections: the Supermarine and the debuting Terra Nova. While some in the watch community lamented the direction change, many others applauded the metaphorical reset. Regardless of where you stand on the spectrum, one thing is certain – Bremont received a far better reception to their rebranding than Jaguar did! And it seems Bremont isn’t content to rest on their laurels; Over the last year, they’ve been tirelessly working on new and exclusive timepieces, with all their efforts culminating in Watch and Wonders 2025. For the world’s largest watch fair, Bremont has certainly come out swinging, unveiling a fully remastered Altitude collection alongside an unexpected quartet of Terra Nova releases unlike any seen before.

Getting the elephant out of the room early, the reason these Terra Nova releases are so unique is that they all feature the coveted jump-hour/digital time complication! However, we’ll get to that a bit later, as it’s important to understand the silhouette of the watch first before diving into its inner workings. The new Terra Nova Jump Hour line consists of two variants, totalling four references.

One variant measures 38mm wide, 44mm long, and a delicate 9.1mm in thickness, encased in cupro-aluminium bronze. The choice of cupro-aluminium bronze for the case construction is an inspired one, chosen for its high-performance durability and its ability to develop a rich, even patina over time. The other variant is in 904L stainless steel, with the traditional Terra Nova dimensions of 40.5mm wide, 47mm long, and 10.15mm thick. The bronze Terra Nova Jump Hour is limited to just 100 pieces, while the steel version will become a part of Bremont’s permanent collection.

Though both variants are part of the Terra Nova family, there are several distinct differences beyond size and material that set each reference apart. On the bronze side, the dial has been almost entirely removed, replaced instead by a brushed sheet of cupro-aluminum bronze. In a layout similar to the equally incredible Cartier Tank à Guichets released earlier in the week, the Terra Nova Jump Hour Bronze Edition vertically aligns the digital display. Hours, minutes, and seconds are placed in the centre of the watch, with two cutouts that form the digital displays for the hours and minutes. Meanwhile, a circular cutout has been added in the centre for the seconds’ indication, resembling a compass. With a rotating seconds hand evoking the compass needle, it serves as a fun nod to the new direction Bremont has taken with their watches.

The steel reference, on the other hand, features a black lacquered dial with an applied minute-seconds track and an enlarged, lumed second hand. The digital display here takes on a more retro feel, with the minutes and hours displays positioned at nine o’clock. One questionable design choice, however, is the lack of lume on the minutes display, while the seconds and hours remain visible in low light. It’s not a major point of contention, though, as the digital display isn’t typically the most practical for time readings if you’re not accustomed to it.

Speaking of the complication, it’s time to reveal how Bremont has incorporated this coveted feature into their Terra Nova line. Behind the closed case back ticks the Cal. BC634AH, a Sellita-based movement that beats at 4Hz (28,800VpH) with a 56-hour power reserve. While the horological stats are respectable, it’s the modifications Bremont has made that truly allow the movement to shine. The added jump hour mechanism enables the digital hour display to change instantly within a tenth of a second, ensuring a seamless transition to the next hour. This thoughtful addition really drives home Bremont’s serious approach to watchmaking.

My Thoughts

While Bremont is only celebrating its 23rd anniversary this year, its impact on the modern watch landscape has been undeniable. From spearheading the British watchmaking spirit to executing an ambitious rebranding, the Henley-on-Thames-based brand has done everything in its power to ensure that British watchmaking secures its place in the horological hall of fame.

While the rebranding and the introduction of the Terra Nova collection marked an interesting period for the watch world, Bremont has made it clear that the line wasn’t created out of necessity to keep the brand afloat. Instead, it was designed to thrive in this new era of watchmaking, bringing an elegant aesthetic to what is essentially a purpose-built watch. With the addition of the Jump Hour variants, however, Bremont is stepping further into uncharted territory than ever before. But this is something they are well-versed in navigating, setting a bold precedent for whatever they do next.

References & Specifications:

Australian RRP: AU$6,550 (Bracelet) / AU$6,100 (Strap)

Australian RRP: AU$8,550 (Bracelet) / AU$7,900 (Strap)

Availability: Bronze models limited to 100 references each. Available in boutiques, online at Bremont.com, and all authorised retailers.