March 20, 2015: Jaguar and Bremont have announced two new watch collaborations. The British firms are cementing their partnership following an overwhelming response to the creation of six Bremont chronometers which complement each of the six ‘continuation’ lightweight EType sports racing cars currently being built by Jaguar.
In working to capture the EType’s essence in a wrist watch, Jaguar’s Director of Design Ian Callum and the creative team at Bremont homedin on another of its signature features the dashboard. At its heart are the speedometer and tachometer (or ‘rev counter’) and it is these that inspired the look of the new Bremont Jaguar MKI and MKII watches.
The MKI is a more accessible version of the original ‘Lightweight’ limited edition watch by reproducing many of its design features but substituting the white gold and aluminium of the Lightweight’s case for a slimmer version in polished stainless steel. Save for the addition of a date window at the six o’clock position, the tachymetreinspired dial is similar to that of the Lightweight, featuring an offset small seconds indicator and a distinctive ‘red line’ quadrant between three and four o’clock. Behind the dial and domed crystal of the 43mm MKI watch lies a new movement with date functionality based on Bremont’s meticulously finished selfwinding proprietary BWC/01.
Turning the MKI over reveals the beautifully finished movement through the sapphire crystal case back, and also a striking automatic winding weight in the form of an exquisite miniaturisation of a threespoke EType steering wheel, complete with the iconic Jaguar head its centre.
The MKII, meanwhile, instantly transports the wearer back to the golden era of 1960s sports car motoring. Its black dial carrys the Jaguar heritage logo above the six o’clock position and its hour markings being in the style of the numerals found on Etype instruments. The classic chronograph layout featuring two subdials at the three o’clock and nine o’clock positions is achieved through the use of the beautifully decorated BE50AE automatic movement which has been specially customised by Bremont to a unique specification, a subtle ‘red line’ on the 60minute counter paying homage to the EType’s tachymeter. The 43mm, stainless steel case which is fitted with a domed crystal to enhance the vintage appearance of the watch is made entirely in the UK by Bremont using its renowned, threepart ‘TripTick’ technology which ensures hardness seven times greater than that of a normal steel watch.
MKI and MKII watches will be supplied with a perforated ‘racing’ strap in true ‘60s style, together with traditional leather spare
Bremont CoFounder, Giles English, said, “Although neither the MKI nor the MKII are limited edition pieces, we will make relatively few of each per year so they will always remain as special as the cars that inspired them.”
