WORLDTEMPUS - 14 December 2011
Elizabeth Doerr
First of all, England has not had a high-end tradition of watchmaking for many years. In order to understand that statement, you have to know that English watchmakers were among the world's best in the eighteenth century, enriching the horological universe with important inventions and improvements. Since Switzerland took over as the home of modern high watchmaking, England has not had a whole lot to boast about.
The emergence of Bremont by Nick and Giles English six years ago has turned eyes back to England. While their wristwatches have thus far been ETA-powered, the brothers' obvious eye for details and passion for aviation has won them more than just a few admirers – which may have been what has spurred them on to their most ambitious project to date: the B-1 Marine Clock.
Fully designed by technical director Peter Roberts, this tribute to England's maritime history (including John Harrison and his H4) is fully manufactured in the United Kingdom. Only George Daniels can have boasted such a feat in the last 300 years or so. Additionally, each clock is customized to its future owner's specifications.
Measuring 300 mm in diameter, it boasts 30 days of power reserve, displays the time in two time zones (local and home times), displays Greenwich Mean Time (making for a possible third time zone), shows trip time in days and hours (up to 90 days), and provides the date and power reserve.
The time is portioned within the B-1's movement by a classic English-lever escapement and a twin fusee including a Harrison-style roller bearing. It is wound by hand using a built-in winding crank.
Like a Rolling Stone
As if this amazing piece of horology needed an extra kick, it came without asking. Ronnie Wood, a celebrated painter outside the realm of his duties as guitarist for the Rolling Stones, was looking around for a watch collaboration. Using the B-1 as his canvas was a natural suggestion and 14 unique clocks were born, the first of which was unveiled at SalonQP in November. Wood's vibrant colors will be added to both the dial and the inner case to depict some phase of his life. The first showcases a white horse, which is often a symbol for water.
“I am so happy to be involved with Bremont on this exciting adventure,” Wood said. “I feel there will be a magnificent opportunity through my art to show what has influenced me throughout my life, which include my water heritage, my well-documented life in music and of course my abiding passion for horses. All of these reflections will gather together to be seen in this most British tradition. I have always loved my timepieces and now I have the opportunity to thoroughly indulge myself with Bremont.”
