The Jaguar E Type, is an icon in automotive engineering. It was produced by the legendary British carmaker from 1961 to 1975, and when it was introduced, Enzo Ferrari called it “The most beautiful car ever made” (Classic Car Review 1964, article by Sean Curtis). And this served as a platform for British watch brand Bremont to collaborate with the modern Jaguar to introduce a new watch inspired by the design. We caught up with Giles English of Bremont recently in Basel World 2015, and present this review of the Bremont Jaguar Mk 1.
The Bremont Jaguar Mk 1. Note the design cues of the dial design taken from the tachometer of the car, as well as little details as the motif on the crown which is taken from the car’s tyres.
The new Bremont watch, though Swiss made, is certainly one of the interesting British and owned brands to hit the market in recent years. Known for their penchant in collaboration with other companies, they have introduced watches where they worked to incorporate design elements in collaboration with diverse companies like Boeing, in film in the movie Kingsmen, and now with Jaguar with the Mk 1 and Mk 2 watches. The Mk 2 is a chronograph, but our focus for this review is the elegant, and simpler Mk 1, designed in the spirit of the Jaguar Lightweight.
This collaboration resulted in a gold and aluminium time watch which was limited to 6 pieces to go with the six US$1.6 million re-production E-Types that Jaguar created last year. These 6 watches were promptly sold out. And in a call to make the awesome design more accessible to the masses, the Mk 1 and Mk 2 watches are now introduced in steel, and not as a limited edition.
The original Jaguar E-Type. Classical beauty which caused Enzo Ferrari to proclaim it the most beautiful car ever made when it broke into the scene in 1961.
Design cues from the legendary Jaguar E Type in numerous areas. The dial takes its inspiration from the instrumentation dials of the Jaguar. And the steering wheel is replicated in its extraordinary beauty, echoed in the watch as the motif for the automatic winding rotor. The crown has a pattern design which is the one used in the tyres for the car. These interesting little design details is what makes a tribute watch stand out from the wannabes and point it in the same direction of greatness as the object of tribute.
The Bremont Jaguar Mk1 dial carries the insignia of the original Jaguar logo. The minute markers are designed to look like a tachometer including a red sector which in the car indicates the engine red line. Alas, it would be even more interesting if Bremont had used this to represent an indication within the watch, perhaps a low power reserve indicator for the watch, but as it is, it is only a design cue.
The entire package seems just right, with the design cues taking pride of place, pointing and giving homage to the Jaguar E Type. The case is in a stainless steel using a technology which Bremont calls “Trip-Tick”. This is claimed to be entirely in the UK by Bremont and ensures a hardness seven times greater than that of a normal steel watch.
The movement, BWC/01, while not in-house manufactured, is made by La Joux Perret in collaboration with Bremont using some English parts, and is nicely finished.
But the nice touch is the winding rotor which mimics the steering wheel of the Jaguar E Type
The movement, called the BWC/01, is based on a movement manufactured by La Joux Perret with some parts which are designed and made in England. The finish is rather good for a watch at this price point, and covers all the basics for a good engineering finish. Even this level of finishing is rather indicative of its homage to Jaguar, which is an engineering marvel. Too high a decorative finish, like those that we typically find in a high end luxury watch would be out of line in this scenario.
The Bremont Jaguar Mk1. Case in steel, measuring 43mm in diameter and sits very comfortably on the wrist. Not visible in this photograph, but the strap carries the design further with a classic 60s perforated leather strap.
Rather interesting watch, and we think one which is one of the more well thought out homage watches, way more than just slapping a “homage to xxx”, but really with the watch company workign in collaboration with the homage company. Design cues are well thought out, and attention to detail is excellent. As such we feel it represents a fairly good value at a retail of approximately US$12,500.
Bremont Jaguar Mk1
TECHNICAL FEATURES
MOVEMENT
Bremont BWC/01-10 33.4mm Automatic with 25 jewels, Glucydur balance, Nivarox CT balance spring and Nivaflex 1 mainspring. Highly efficient double reverser bi-directional winding mechanism to achieve 28,800bph and 50+ hour power reserve. Miniatureised Jaguar E-Type steering wheel rotor with Growler emblem.
FUNCTIONS
Hour/Minutes, small seconds counter at 9H. Date at 6H.
CASE
Polished and hardened stainless steel Bremont Trip-Tick® construction with stainless steel case barrel. Case diameter 43.00mm, lug width 22.00mm, case thickness 16.00mm.
CASE BACK
Stainless steel with integrated flat crystal, 4 stainless steel screws.
DIAL
Black metal dial with treated steel hands.
CRYSTAL
Double-domed anti-reflective, scratch resistant sapphire crystal.
WATER RESISTANCE
Water resistant to 10 ATM, 100 metres.
STRAP
Calf skin leather with stainless steel pin buckle.
