Around a year ago, on an order from the U.S. military, the young British watchmaking brand has issued a special edition Bremont C-17 Globemaster model with UTC and chronograph functionality. Supplied exclusively to Boeing C-17 Globemaster III crews stationed on American bases around the world, the watch immediately attracted the attention of numerous enthusiasts. Yielding to numerous requests from the community, the British company finally decided to introduce a civilian version. Prepare to love the new Bremont World Timer ALT1!
If you compare the images of both watches, you will hardly see any significant differences between the two.
Perhaps, the only minor modification here is the lack of the stylized profile of the C-17 plane near the trapezoidal date aperture at 3 o’clock.
The rest is more or less the same.
According to the British watchmaker, the new timepiece is equipped with their Caliber BE-54AE automatic movement.
Probably based on the well-known ETA Valjoux 7750 ebauche*, the COSC-certified chronometer caliber features not only the second time zone display by means of a secondary hours hand but also sports their own Roto-Click bezel that allows the owner to easily choose one of the time zones using one of 24 International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) airfield identifiers.
The bezel is operated via a bespoke setting crown, which is located at 8 o’clock. I can’t say that the position of the crown is comfortable for me: trying to operate the bezel with your right thumb and index finger, you will inevitably block the view of the dial with the palm of your hand. So, you will have to put the watch off your wrist every time you’ll need to change the time zone.
Well, it is a minor annoyance, but still an annoyance.
The rest looks more or less standard.
The timekeeper is presented in a slightly oversized stainless steel case. Around 43 millimeters in diameter and 16 millimeters thick, the body was hardened to 2000 Vickers, which makes it virtually scratch-resistant (of course, if you don’t want to fix your car engine without putting the piece off.)
The front sapphire crystal features multilayered anti-reflective treatment on both sides and in its press release the company claims that the coating is almost as resistant to scratches as the sapphire crystal itself.
The only problem with the new Bremont World Timer ALT1 is its price. The British brand plans to sell the gadget for almost $5700, which puts it dangerously close to the gorgeous Breitling Navitimer World chronograph that offers slightly less functionality, but sports a mojo the size of the Chrysler Building.
See also: Bremont Mustang P-51 Limited Edition Chronometer
Photos: Bremont / USAF
* UPDATE ON MOVEMENT: The mechanism is in fact based on ETA Valjoux 7754 caliber.
Bremont World Timer ALT1 UTC specification
Price: $5700 (MSRP)
Movement: Automatic, Caliber BE-54AE (base ETA 7754,) COSC-certified chronometer, Swiss Made
Number of jewels: 25
Movement frequency: 28,800 vph
Movement decoration: “Bremont” molded and decorated skeletonized rotor
Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, date, chronograph, second time zone (UTC aka GMT)
Power reserve: 42 hours
Case: Stainless steel
Shape: Round
Size: 43.00 mm
Case height: 16.00 mm
Lug width: 22.00 mm
Dial: Metal, different colors
Numerals: Arabic
Hour markers: Luminous
Hands: Nickel-plated, luminous
Water resistance: 100 meters
Strap: Embossed calfskin leather strap with contrasting stitching, solid deployant buckle, and engraved security clasp
Crystal: Sapphire, antireflective on both sides
Back: Sapphire