Sameera Gamage 
Bremont’s new Altitude Chronograph GMT is where rugged utility meets refined aviation design. Drawing on the legacy of the MB and U-2 collections, this timepiece blends durability, functionality, and thoughtful styling into one bold package. It’s not just an update, it’s a modern pilot’s essential companion!
Bremont’s aviation collection has deep roots in the brand’s history. Bremont was founded in 2002 by Nick and Giles English, who both shared a deep passion for aviation. In fact, both founders were licensed pilots, and their late father was an ex-RAF pilot and aeronautical engineer. Bremont was founded on a shared passion for engineering and aviation timepieces. The name Bremont itself has aviation roots, inspired by a French Farmer and former WWII pilot who once helped the brothers during an emergency landing in his field. This was a fitting origin for a brand that would go on to create aviation-themed timepieces.
Bremont has had various aviation-themed timepieces and collections in the past. Collections like the ALT1, chronograph timepieces designed to meet the rigorous demands of professional pilots, are known for their precision, durability and legibility.
Then we have the MB series, which was made in collaboration with Martin Baker, the British ejection seat manufacturer. The Martin Baker timepieces went through rigorous testing, which included live ejection scenarios, ensuring that the watches could withstand the most extreme conditions.
From the success of the MB series came the U-2 collection. This collection, however, was initially designed for the U-2 spy plane squadron based in California. These watches were tested at altitudes of up to 100,000 feet and temperatures as low as -40°C, again putting the timepeices through extreme conditions to ensure reliability, functionality and precision.
Now, in 2025, Bremont has introduced a new collection of aviation-inspired timepeices called the Altitude collection. The Altitude collection is made up of timepieces like the Altitude MB Meteor, Altitude Chronograph GMT, and Altitude 39 Date, each reflecting the brand’s commitment to durability and sophisticated design.
The Altitude Chronograph GMT is, as Bremont describes it, “the ultimate evolution of Bremont’s aviation tool watch”. This may just be the case as the watch takes references from the brand’s various collections to incorporate it into this newly designed Altitude Chronograph GMT. For example, Bremont has combined the proven resilience of the Martin Baker (MB) series with now the added functionality of a chronograph and GMT complication.
While chronograph functions can certainly help pilots with timing, I personally believe the GMT function to be the most useful. When you have to fly across several time zones on a daily basis, it’s actually quicker to look at your timepiece to read the time in other countries/time zones (provided it has been set correctly) than to look at your phone or other instruments. So, housing a GMT function on an aviation-inspired timepiece is certainly a step in the right direction!
Case Design
The Bremont Altitude Chronograph GMT comes housed in a ultra-rugged 904L stainless steel 42mm Trip-Trick case, which has a black DLC-coated centre barrel. Like the previous aviation collections I’ve mentioned above, this was has also been designed to withstand the harshest conditions.
What is a Trip-Trick case, you may be wondering? It’s Bremont’s signature design, which is like a sandwich case design. It features a reinforced three-part construction with a top case and case back sandwiching a smooth centre barrel. For this timepiece, the centre barrel has been given a black DLC coating. With this design, Bremont has been able to slim down the thickness of the timepiece while also reducing the lug-to-lug distance from their previous collections for better fit on the wrist!
Inside the case, the movement has been suspended within a flexible rubber mount, which absorbs shocks and minimises impacts. Surrounding this is a soft iron ring, which provides anti-magnetic protection based on Faraday Cage principles, ensuring a high level of precision and reliability from the movement.
Dial Design
The dial of the new Altitude Chronograph GMT has design references to it’s aviation inspiration and remains legible regardless of the rather busy-looking dial. The hour and minute hands, along with the hands on the chronograph sub-counters, especially the 9 o’clock seconds, which has a tri-blade propeller design, have propeller designs. The GMT hand is the only coloured element in this monochromatic dial, which allows it to easily stand out.
What I think Bremont could have done differently with the dial is to make certain elements stand out a bit better. For example, the Arabic hour indices follow the same ‘thin’ styling as other elements such as the minute track and chronograph markings, making it all blend in together too much. While this isn’t a big issue, if the hour indices were bolder or thicker in styling, it would not only make them stand out but also break up the uniform design.
What I do like about the design, however, is that Bremont balanced the counters with its logo on the right. Typically, brands opt for a 3-counter layout that is 3-6-9 o’clock with the brand logo underneath the 12 o’clock marker. However, Bremont has done brilliantly by shaping the Bremont logo, name, and “Automatic GMT Altitude” inscription within a circular shape so that it mimics a counter itself at the 3 o’clock position, ultimately giving the dial a balanced look with the 6-9-12 chronograph sub-counter layout.
There is also a hidden date window within the 6 o’clock sub-counter. I say hidden because the brand has positioned the date window brilliantly so that at first glance, you don’t even notice it’s a date window. The date wheel has been colour-matched to the dial, making it blend in perfectly. This is certainly one of the better date window designs I’ve seen in a while, perfectly integrating it into the dial without disrupting the overall design.
Movement
The engine powering these new Altitude Chronograph GMT timepieces is the chornometer-rated BC781 movement. The movement has been certified to ISO 3159 standards, which guarantees a high level of timekeeping accuracy. For this high precision, the movement operates at a high frequency of 4Hz (28,800 VpH). Complementing this is the 62-hour power reserve. The BC781 movement has quick-set functionality for both the date and the independent GMT hand, alongside hacking seconds for precise time setting.
Initial Thoughts
Bremont’s deep-rooted connection to aviation is only getting stronger with the latest release of the Altitude collection during Watches & Wonders 2025. From its origins steeped in personal tragedy and mechanical passion to its enduring partnerships with elite military squadrons and ejection seat manufacturers, the brand has consistently proven its commitment to producing tough, functional, and stylish aviation timepieces.
The new Altitude Chronograph GMT feels like a culmination of everything Bremont has learned over the past two decades. While the brand has been going through some hard times behind the scenes with the change of ownership, new logo designs etc, when it comes to the watchmaking, they seem to be getting better and back to the designs that many loved. The Altitude collection, especially the Chronograph GMT, is a step in the right direction, with the timepieces making a statement that the brand is not only staying true to its aviation roots but is also evolving to meet the needs of a new generation of watch enthusiasts and professional pilots.
Specification: Bremont Altitude Chronograph GMT
- Dimensions: 42mm x 14.7mm, Lug-to-lug 49.62mm
- Case Material: Satin & polished 904L stainless steel Trip-Tick case construction with Brushed Black DLC barrel.
- Dial: Brushed Black Galvanic metal dial with red-tipped GMT hand
- Movement: BC781AC movement
- Movement Power reserve: 62 hours
- Water resistance: 100m (10 Bar)
- Crystal: Glass Box anti-reflective sapphire crystal.
- Case back: Decorated 904L stainless steel open case back showing BC781AC movement
- Bracelet/Strap: Quick-release 904L stainless steel bracelet
