Bremont C-17 Squadron Watch. Not Just Anyone Can Own One. Until Now.
The Bremont C-17 Special Edition Squadron watch is indeed a special watch. Mere mortals cannot purchase it. The piece is available only to pilots and ground crew of the indomitable C-17 Globemaster 3 used by the RAF, the Royal Australian Air Force and the Air Forces of Canada and Quatar for the airlift of cargo, troops and humanitarian aid throughout the world.
The boys at Bremont have donated a C-17 piece for a sealed bids auction which is live now via e-mail, bids to info@bremont.com closing at midnight BST 12th September. All proceeds go towards the British Limbless Ex-Servicemen's Assoc (BLESMA) and the Royal Air Force Assoc (RAFA) forming part of the annual fundraising event by the 99 Squadron held at RAF Brize Norton. The winning bidder will also be given the opportunity to visit Brize Norton as a guest of the 99 Sqn. for a meet-and-greet and a tour of the airfield ...........has anyone told James May?
The C-17 watch is also very special. On the metal dial is a background etching of the globe and a nose-front image of the high-wing, T-tailed C-17 aircraft. The hardened steel 43mm case uses the brand's registered "Trip-Tick" construction. Integrated into the case is Bremont's "Roto-Click" rotating inner bezel which you operate using the crown at 8 o'clock, the use of ball bearings ensures smooth operation and a re-assuring click as each minute is turned. The locations displayed on the bezel are those which represent C-17 landing zones in all of the 24 time zones, and the date window is inspired by C-17 cock-pit instruments. Inside is the COSC certified BE-54AE automatic movement with 42 hours of power reserve. The rotor is decorated and inscribed with the word "Globemaster".
This article provides the perfect excuse to wax lyrical about the Bremont Watch Company, a WatchPress favourite. Founded in 2002 by brothers Nick and Giles English, the company and the men behind its success have a heritage of historic aircraft and a love of all things mechanical. The brand have a refreshing enthusiasm and a totally unstuffy attitude to the industry. They were recently awarded "Watch Brand of the Year" at the 28th Annual Uk 2011 Jewellery Awards" and we predict further accolades in the future. Their "Bremont People" reads like a list of understated but super-cool individuals, Bear Grylls takes his Bremont to the jungle, Charley Boorman wore his in the Paris-Dakar Rally and the Duxford-based Fighter Collection pilots never leave home without theirs.
The C-17 piece is not the only watch in the Bremont portfolio that money alone cannot buy. The Bremont MBI is only available to individuals who have survived being catapulted from a Martin Baker ejection seat. Now that is what we call perfect product placement.
You may also like our review of the Bremont P-51 Limited Edition