I feel it’s doable that when it’s all mentioned and performed, no model could have had a extra consequential 2024 than Bremont. I can think about a watch surroundings three or 4 or 5 years out into the longer term the place this model is basically modified (even from how we see it now, after what most would agree is a tumultuous latest interval), and we are able to pinpoint the beginning of that change in 2024. Particularly, at Watches & Wonders 2024, when the model unveiled its new look, and the watch world, nearly in unison, shook their heads.
We wrote about Bremont’s big rebrand when it happened, after getting a have a look at the watches themselves. It’s the one article we’ve printed this yr that I discover myself being requested about time and again. The Bremont rebrand comes up at native watch meetups, in Instagram group chats, and even in conversations with fans at our Windup occasions this yr. Individuals nonetheless have sturdy opinions about Bremont’s new route. Predictably, one thing else has occurred: extra individuals are seeing these watches in individual, and public opinion is shifting accordingly.
I stand by my authentic evaluation, which is generally simply whole confusion and a need to attend and see what occurs subsequent. I believed the brand new Supermarine references I noticed had been fairly unremarkable, however the Terra Nova references, significantly the straightforward time solely mannequin, had some promise. I nonetheless like the way in which this appears within the wrist shot I took within the Bremont sales space at Watches & Wonders, even when the thought behind the watch and its advertising push feels somewhat half baked.
Speaking to fans over these final a number of months, I get the sense that there’s some wholesome curiosity in regards to the Terra Nova, and anecdotally I’ve heard from various individuals who have seen the watch in individual at this level and didn’t flip into stone. Like nearly each watch, it’s higher in individual. So it was with some curiosity that I famous the model’s latest announcement of the Terra Nova 40.5 Date in Caramel. The brand new restricted version takes a platform that already feels classic impressed in sure key areas and dials it as much as 11.
Watches which might be purely classic impressed are sometimes not likely my velocity, however I feel Bremont deserves a minimum of somewhat credit score right here for leaning into the issues that make the Terra Nova fascinating. When the watch was unveiled, a lot was written in regards to the considerably idiosyncratic dial, with massive Arabic numerals that appears like they might have been pulled from a pocket watch, and a extra modern case design. With this Caramel version, Bremont has gone full faux-tropical. It’s nonetheless somewhat idiosyncratic, however the dial, a minimum of, feels somewhat extra coherent to me.
I additionally simply have a weak point for brown watches, which could possibly be why I discover myself drawn to this explicit Terra Nova. Brown is an underused shade, in my view, however affords fans a nice deal of versatility, significantly in the event that they’re susceptible to apparel that tends to include extra earthy tones. It’s laborious to not learn the Terra Nova Caramel as something aside from a watch with a really floor stage classic affect, however should you’re in a position to see it merely because the brown possibility, I feel it is perhaps simpler to get behind.
Like different Terra Nova 40.5 Dates, this one is constructed from a 904L chrome steel case measuring, you guessed it, 40.5mm throughout. It runs on a modified Sellita SW200-1 caliber with 38 hours of energy reserve, with the date wheel (not shade matched, sadly) on the 3:00 place. It has 100 meters of water resistance, however notably doesn’t have a screw down crown. This launch is a restricted run of 100 items.
It’s been about seven months since Bremont modified the face of their model, and the jury, I feel, continues to be very a lot out. As time passes, although, it turns into simpler to see the place a watch just like the Terra Nova suits in. As an all goal device and field-style watch, it affords a barely totally different aesthetic than a few of their apparent opponents. The issue, I feel, is perhaps the value level. I’m not often one to gripe about retail pricing, however this watch retails for $3,650, which, should you’re cross purchasing with comparable Hamiltons, appears like a major expense. Bremont
Trending Merchandise
