To celebrate the 'Greatest Air Race of All Time' and the aircraft that captured the world’s imagination with a phenomenal record-breaking flight in 1934, our friends from Bremont recently released the new Bremont Comet DH-88 Chronometer Limited Edition in stainless steel —282 pieces— and in 18K rose gold —82 pieces. This new Bremont watch with a 43 mm case, immortalizes the De Havilland DH-88 Comet, Grosvenor House aircraft. Fighting exhaustion and significant mechanical challenges, whilst barely stopping for over three days, two men in their pioneering British racing aircraft won the incredible air-race from England to Australia. The infamous MacRobertson Air Race encourage the operation of a fast and safe commercial air route to Australia.
To commemorate this feat and to raise funds for the Shuttleworth Trust, Bremont introduces this limited edition that has been manufactured and assembled at the company’s workshops in England. The Shuttleworth Trust is a unique museum with over 40 flying aircraft with some of the only flying examples of their type in the world. Founded by Dorothy Shuttleworth in 1944 in memory of her son who died in a flying accident, it was set up as a charity to keep these amazing aircraft flying.
The Dial
The new Bremont Comet DH-88 timepiece features a metal dial with fine opaline matte black base color with Arabic numerals with vintage colored superluminova and opaline silver subdials. The dial is nicely finished and very legible under any light conditions.
Featuring running seconds register at 9 o'clock, 12-hour chrono register with date aperture at 6 and 30-minute chrono register at 12 o'clock, the new Bremont DH-88 Chronometer offers a nice well balanced dial that is easy to read. Additionally, the dial is flanked by a white 24-hour scale rotating bezel that allows the wearer to keep track of a third time zone. The inner rotating bezel features the hours in 2-hour increments in black and red for added contrast. The GMT red tip hand can be moved independently only in one direction, to keep military time or a second time zone.
The Case
The Bremont DH-88 features the traditional 43 mm hardened polished stainless steel Bremont Trip-Tick case with scratch resistant DLC treated middle case and vintage inspired crowns. The chrono pushers are round and the crown is a pull out with the traditional propeller logo on it.
To rotate the inner 24-hour bezel, there is a crown located at the 8 o'clock position on the case band. The inner bezel rotates in increments of 30 minutes as necessary. The watch is water resistant to 100 meters and fitted with a nice domed sapphire crystal on both the front and back.
The Movement
Under the hood, nothing spectacular as this is not an in-house calibre. The display case back allows for full view of the 'somewhat rough looking' generic automatic Swiss chrono movement —at least a COSC certified chronometer— utilized to power this watch and that has been further embellished by Bremont, by adding a special oscillating weight that is indeed 'very nice' and our favorite feature on this watch.
This bright red oscillating weight —in the same Pantone as the aircraft—, not only features a propeller made out of the spruce plywood used in the original 1934 De Havilland Comet ‘Grosvenor House’ aircraft, but it is also marked with the same number '34' that is on the rear wing of said aircraft. The movement beats at a frequency of 28,800 vph to provide a power reserve of 42-hours.
The Strap
The Bremont DH-88 Chronometer Limited Edition in stainless steel is delivered on a black alligator leather strap with Bremont pin buckle also in stainless steel. The strap is very nicely finished and quite supple, unlike most straps that tend to be to stiff and in need of a break-in period, this one is ready to take on the action.
On the Wrist & Pricing
On the wrist, the Bremont Comet DH-88 Chronometer Limited Edition wears true to its size and very vintage looking. This is a watch that would pair flawlessly with a distressed leather bomber jacket and a pair of piloting gloves.
While we are somewhat disappointed by the continued use of generic movements by Bremont, we feel that the new DH-88 Chronometer Limited Edition is still a very nicely executed watch that celebrates the world of aviation in a remarkable way. Now, when it comes to its price tag, we unfortunately don't feel the same way, as we think that you are not getting enough watch for the money —just a reminder, this is Rolex pricing territory.
Sticker Price £7,995 for stainless steel —approximately $10,500 USD—and for 18K rose gold £14,995 —$20,000 USD. For more info on Bremont click here.
