Continuing with their partnership, Jaguar and Bremont are solidifying their long-term partnership by releasing two new E-Type Bremont Jaguar watches, we are talking about the MKI and the MKII. While the MKI is a non-chrono, the MKII is a beautifully executed 30-minute chronograph. While we have never been the biggest fans of the brand, we can tell you that we absolutely love these two new watches and these pieces could easily turn us in the opposite direction. In working to capture the E-Type’s essence in a wrist watch, Jaguar’s Director of Design Ian Callum and the creative team at Bremont homed-in on another of Jaguar's signature features —the dashboard. While E-Types were typically fitted with Smiths instruments on their dashboard, Bremont captured the look of the speedometer and tachometer on these iconic vehicles, just remarkably. These watches are both dedicated to the road-going Jaguar E-Type which at its 1961 launch was not only the fastest production car in the world but, according to Enzo Ferrari, the most beautiful.
While the Bremont Jaguar E-Type MKI responds to the call for 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 stee, the Bremont Jaguar E-Type MKII comes with a more steep price as it is fitted with a 30-minute chronograph.
Both watches fitted with black metal dials featuring Arabic numerals from 8 to 4 o'clock, the only difference between these new watches and the Bremont Lightweight is the addition of a date aperture at 6 o’clock and an off-set small seconds indicator with a distinctive ‘red line’ quadrant —just like that on the tachometer of the Jaguar E-Type. The watches, measuring 43 mm in diameter are fitted with double-domed crystals evoking a perfect retro look that transports the wearer back to the 60s. Both watches feature the Jaguar heritage logo above the six o’clock position and their hour markings have the same font as the numerals found on E-Type dashboard instruments.
The 43mm stainless steel case which is fitted with a double-domed crystal to enhance the vintage appearance of the watch is made entirely in the UK by Bremont using its renowned, three-part ‘Trip-Tick’ technology which ensures a hardness seven times greater than that of a normal steel watch. Both watches are fitted with ‘tyre tread’ engraved winding crowns that are capped with the Jaguar heritage logo to ensure proper Jaguar co-branding.
Visible through the display case back of both watches we can admire the beating hearts that even while they are not in-house movements, they have been beautifully decorated and properly finished exclusively for Bremont. The movements also pay tribute to the Jaguar E-Type by incorporating the shape of a Jaguar three-arm steering wheel to the shape of the oscillating weight. As you can see, the craftsmanship of these two new Bremont watches has been taken above and beyond. While the MKI includes a Jaguar E-Type Growler logo on the center, the MKII lacks of it. While the movement inside the MKI is the automatic BWC/01-10 with a power reserve of 50 hours, the MKII features the BE-50AE with only 42-hour power reserve but which is a COSC —superlative chronometer officially certified.
Both Bremont Jaguar E-Type MKI and MKII watches will be supplied with a perforated ‘racing’ strap in true ‘60s style, together with a traditional leather spare. The strap is dark blue with off-white contrast stitching and is extremely supple. The straps are reminiscent of the very same hue and grain on the leather of vintage Jaguars. The straps are fitted with highly polished Bremont signed pin buckles. Frankly, the MKI and MKII pieces capture the spirit of what is undoubtedly one of the most iconic sports cars of all time in a subtle and intelligent way.
On the wrist, both watches wear true to their size —slightly tall at 16 mm in thickness— and remarkably comfortable. If we had to pick one of the two, it would be really difficult as we absolutely love both watches. In an ideal world we'd say buy both of them, however, we think the prices are a somewhat high considering the lack of in-house calibres and the price for other watch options out there with a richer horological history. Regardless, we think these two watches are definitely great looking, very well made and two favorites this year at Baselworld 2015.
Sticker Price for MKI Non-Chrono $6,550 USD and MKII Chronograph $10,950 USD.
