Opinion on Bremont Watches
Discussion
I've been looking at the Jaguar range of watches on offer by bremont, and wondered what people thought of the brand, and these car inspired watches.
The one i'm tempted by is this one:
http://www.bremont.com/collection/bremont-jaguar/m...
Here is the full range of Jaguar models.
http://www.bremont.com/collection/bremont-jaguar
Would you consider asking for a 15-20% discount at a local dealers reasonable? I do worry a little about future value when say compared with Omega and other brands.
Andy
The one i'm tempted by is this one:
http://www.bremont.com/collection/bremont-jaguar/m...
Here is the full range of Jaguar models.
http://www.bremont.com/collection/bremont-jaguar
Would you consider asking for a 15-20% discount at a local dealers reasonable? I do worry a little about future value when say compared with Omega and other brands.
Andy
I have a Bremont MB III and really love wearing it. The watch is currently on the leather strap with black DLC deployment clasp and I also have the black rubber strap with the standard silver buckle if I fancy a chance.
Overall the product is well made using high quality components and I was pleased to see the leather wallet it comes with along with the strap change tool and pockets for additional straps, buckles etc.
If you are looking for a discount and do not get anywhere with your local dealer look up "DominicH" on here, or got to his website http://www.hackettwatches.com/ and drop him a line. He supplied my one
Overall the product is well made using high quality components and I was pleased to see the leather wallet it comes with along with the strap change tool and pockets for additional straps, buckles etc.
If you are looking for a discount and do not get anywhere with your local dealer look up "DominicH" on here, or got to his website http://www.hackettwatches.com/ and drop him a line. He supplied my one
Yex 450 said:
I have a Bremont MB III and really love wearing it. The watch is currently on the leather strap with black DLC deployment clasp and I also have the black rubber strap with the standard silver buckle if I fancy a chance.
Overall the product is well made using high quality components and I was pleased to see the leather wallet it comes with along with the strap change tool and pockets for additional straps, buckles etc.
If you are looking for a discount and do not get anywhere with your local dealer look up "DominicH" on here, or got to his website http://www.hackettwatches.com/ and drop him a line. He supplied my one
Overall the product is well made using high quality components and I was pleased to see the leather wallet it comes with along with the strap change tool and pockets for additional straps, buckles etc.
If you are looking for a discount and do not get anywhere with your local dealer look up "DominicH" on here, or got to his website http://www.hackettwatches.com/ and drop him a line. He supplied my one
Thanks for the feedback, i'm waiting on the dealer to give me a call back, and see if they have one in stock to go look at and try on.
Will let you know how i get on.
Will keep Dominic in mind so thanks for the pointer.
Andy
I bought a U2 a few months back. I'd been aware of Bremont for years and had been a tad ambivalent towards them until I wandered onto the Bremont stand at Duxford last year and tried one on. They look much better on the wrist than they do in pics.
The build quality is great. The crystal feels like armoured glass, 9 layers of AR, the layered triptick case is very well machined. The whole watch has heft and a quality, engineered feel. The whole customer experience is a cut above; the (great smelling) leather wallet case the watch arrives in as mentioned above. Bremont send the COSC certificate for your watch after registration with a nice, quality leather Bremont luggage tag.
I was looking to buy used, to offset the not inconsiderable depreciation, but Beaverbrooks had selected Bremont on sale at 20% off recently, hence the new U2.
The build quality is great. The crystal feels like armoured glass, 9 layers of AR, the layered triptick case is very well machined. The whole watch has heft and a quality, engineered feel. The whole customer experience is a cut above; the (great smelling) leather wallet case the watch arrives in as mentioned above. Bremont send the COSC certificate for your watch after registration with a nice, quality leather Bremont luggage tag.
I was looking to buy used, to offset the not inconsiderable depreciation, but Beaverbrooks had selected Bremont on sale at 20% off recently, hence the new U2.
andyman_2006 said:
Would you consider asking for a 15-20% discount at a local dealers reasonable? I do worry a little about future value when say compared with Omega and other brands.
Andy
If you're worried about future value, don't buy one. They're a recent brand that has been created artificially, not organically with loads of manufactured tie ins with automotive and aviation industry and also the military. Andy
Omega has tie ins with NASA as they were selected by NASA. Rolex has many genuine links with sport and exploration, Breitling were often issued to pilots and made aircraft instruments, Bremont just print brands on their watches. They are so cencerned with falsely creating history that they were even caught lying about making their own movements, its all about spin, to me, they are the tony Blair of the watch industry.
It's a crying shame though because I really like their watches but all the false history and cynical tie ins put me off completely. Why not just make great watches and let them speak for themselves, instead if constantly try to link them to other brands? They are certainly overpriced and are unlikely to hold their value.
Edited by el stovey on Sunday 4th September 13:58
They are nice watches, like some of the designs. The finishing is quite nice, but way worse than others at similar price points. Especially the led editions are getting on for Patek price.
The marketing to me is pure spin and makes the entire brand completely phoney. At the end of the day that is what you are buying the brand, and sorry but the Bremont brands stinks to high heaven. Seems very very very strange there is no record of the plane crash the founders had...
To me they are like a gastro pub that charges gastro pub prices for handmade free range organic beef from the farm down the road burgers, who then nip to Burger King to get the burger you are paying £19 for.
If you want a British watch that is genuine have a look at http://schofieldwatchcompany.com
Op if you like it go for it, but be aware they are a brand with HUGE baggage attached.
The marketing to me is pure spin and makes the entire brand completely phoney. At the end of the day that is what you are buying the brand, and sorry but the Bremont brands stinks to high heaven. Seems very very very strange there is no record of the plane crash the founders had...
To me they are like a gastro pub that charges gastro pub prices for handmade free range organic beef from the farm down the road burgers, who then nip to Burger King to get the burger you are paying £19 for.
If you want a British watch that is genuine have a look at http://schofieldwatchcompany.com
Op if you like it go for it, but be aware they are a brand with HUGE baggage attached.
Op as you can see Bremont do seem to polarize opinion more than most watch brands. I've got 2, an orange MB2 and a limited edition military watch.
Here's my opinion.
The watches are very well made and the customer service is outstanding. The servicing costs (never a fun way to spend money) are ok and not the bend you over and breathe deeply costs of my Rolex or some other popular brands.
I cannot disagree with the poor press over one of the movements used in the watches but this was sorted out.
One of the posters is very dismissive of the brand and its links to aviation. Bremont is a new brand but the honest view is that they are taking over from other brands (Breitling especially) to be a very popular choice in military aviation. Bremont are brilliant at working with Sqns, Regts or other units to design their own look and base it on any of the main Bremont designs. The minimum order number is small enough to allow small units to create their own watches. I have one of the limited edition watches but have recently seen Bremonts from the Chinook force, the Apache force, the junglies (navy helicopters), the C17 Sqns and the Typhoon force. That's just the UK military watches I've seen personally, I know they have made watches for US forces as well. Not bad for a brand with apparent fake links to aviation!
So I agree with many that it's a marmite brand but if you like the watch then buy it, enjoy the support you'll get if needed.
Here are mine.
Here's my opinion.
The watches are very well made and the customer service is outstanding. The servicing costs (never a fun way to spend money) are ok and not the bend you over and breathe deeply costs of my Rolex or some other popular brands.
I cannot disagree with the poor press over one of the movements used in the watches but this was sorted out.
One of the posters is very dismissive of the brand and its links to aviation. Bremont is a new brand but the honest view is that they are taking over from other brands (Breitling especially) to be a very popular choice in military aviation. Bremont are brilliant at working with Sqns, Regts or other units to design their own look and base it on any of the main Bremont designs. The minimum order number is small enough to allow small units to create their own watches. I have one of the limited edition watches but have recently seen Bremonts from the Chinook force, the Apache force, the junglies (navy helicopters), the C17 Sqns and the Typhoon force. That's just the UK military watches I've seen personally, I know they have made watches for US forces as well. Not bad for a brand with apparent fake links to aviation!
So I agree with many that it's a marmite brand but if you like the watch then buy it, enjoy the support you'll get if needed.
Here are mine.
All depends whether you're interested in buying a watch or a brand...
Personally I think that a young British company trying to break into the international market deserve support rather than continual knocking.
They are a new company - of course they don't have the heritage of Rolex or Omega- that's hardly their fault. Some of their PR may not be to everyone's taste but the product is good.
Personally I think that a young British company trying to break into the international market deserve support rather than continual knocking.
They are a new company - of course they don't have the heritage of Rolex or Omega- that's hardly their fault. Some of their PR may not be to everyone's taste but the product is good.
Madness60 said:
One of the posters is very dismissive of the brand and its links to aviation. Bremont is a new brand but the honest view is that they are taking over from other brands (Breitling especially) to be a very popular choice in military aviation. Bremont are brilliant at working with Sqns, Regts or other units to design their own look and base it on any of the main Bremont designs. The minimum order number is small enough to allow small units to create their own watches. I have one of the limited edition watches but have recently seen Bremonts from the Chinook force, the Apache force, the junglies (navy helicopters), the C17 Sqns and the Typhoon force. That's just the UK military watches I've seen personally, I know they have made watches for US forces as well. Not bad for a brand with apparent fake links to aviation!
That's not really a genuine link with aviation. They're making watches putting an insignia on it and selling it to people that order one. They haven't made watches issued to pilots or instruments for aircraft. It's an artificial construct. They haven't got any heritage as a new manufactur (which is fine) so are artificially creating one. This is what I find a bit of a shame. They make great watches, just let the watches do the talking and stop trying to create heritage by randomly adding brands and insignias and stuff like Boeing or matin baker to them. They've got nothing to do with any of these brands, the whole thing is entirely made up.
Just read this nonsense from their own website.
bremont said:
THE BREMONT JAGUAR RANGE
Bremont and Jaguar continue their relationship following an overwhelming response to the creation of six Bremont chronometers which complement each of the six ‘continuation’ lightweight E-Type sports racing cars currently being built by Jaguar. The new range of watches are 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.
Bremont has no connection to the e type at all. But they're cynically trying to link the two. With classic photographs of an e type on their website. The implication is that Bremont is somehow connected to the e type. They're dedicating a range of watches to a car that they have nothing to do with? Bremont and Jaguar continue their relationship following an overwhelming response to the creation of six Bremont chronometers which complement each of the six ‘continuation’ lightweight E-Type sports racing cars currently being built by Jaguar. The new range of watches are 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.
This same guff exists for U2, Boeing, americas cup, Martin baker, super-marine, Bletchley park, norton, de havilland. Even HMS victory. Is linked to Bremonts proud (but artificial) heritage. What on earth do Bremont have to do with any of these brands or HMS victory?
swerni said:
Who cares?
You buy a watch because you like it.
I love the look of the Jag watch but i'll stick to my MB11
The OP is asking for views on the Bremont brand and is concerned about residuals. People are just giving their views on Bremont and pointing out their poor residuals. You buy a watch because you like it.
I love the look of the Jag watch but i'll stick to my MB11
Edited by el stovey on Sunday 4th September 18:39
Hi All,
Well this brand really does split opinions....
Ok well thanks for all your opinions and pictures of watches, and so here is an update from me:
I contacted bremont UK about these jaguar inspired watches, and asked a simple question about strap type/colour/style and had a reply within 2 hours so that's a real plus and backs up comments made here re: customer service.
I've visited a local Bremont stockist, and managed to have a look at many of the range, in particular the three Jaguar ones (the ones that caught my eye in the first place)
Tried on all of the Jaguar ones so Mk1/2/3 and am leaning towards the Mk3 with its simpler face design and blue strap at £3495 RRP.
I have to say I did like them, quality, weight and feel seems very good, the higher priced ones have a very pretty visible movement and a design internally of the E-types steering wheel, and overall given the 3 year warranty, a dealer 8 miles from my house, good customer service and a quality feeling product I must say overall pretty impressed.
My comments initially over residual values were my only sticking point (not that I intended to invest in it or make any money that'd be silly thing to do on a modern watch that isn't a rolex) but there are also many other premium long established brands which have poor used resale's one of which being Tag Heur, and I don't think it makes much difference if a watch maker collaborates or not some brands still lose a lot of money.
Looking at used values I'm not sure they drop as much as people indicate:
http://www.watchfinder.co.uk/Bremont/Martin-Baker/...
So what I'll do next depends on what price I can get it for. I've asked the dealer about discount, and they are going to call me before Wednesday with an answer (the shop owner was away) although it was indicated a discount was not a problem, so if I can get the price to start with a £2K and not a £3K then potential result my aim is to get 22% so lets see....
I should also point out my initial draw to these watches is in fact 50% part the Jaguar E-type theme, and whether they had anything to do with Jaguar E-type 50 years ago is not really a major concern to me, there are plenty of brand of product that endorse or collaborate with other makers of other products or organisations and it doesn't devalue the desirability of the product to me at all that there might not be documented history going back 50 years to backup the theme or a particular collaboration, for me personally this watch will compliment my own E-type car perfectly indeed.
Bremont did supply some watches to Jaguar for the initial build of 6 lightweight heritage cars and these were given to the buyers as a gift with the cars, I presume this is what they are making reference to on the website and marketing? Jaguar clearly made a choice and worked with Bremont to market their brand on a watch and in my mind its a nice idea one Jaguar are clearly not exactly upset about. If this had been done by another watch maker than so be it, maybe I'd be looking at their brand as well now. so for me (a car guy, who owns an E-type) its a good thing, they look good, have good warranty, local dealer, and are being aimed and priced mid way in a large market of 'just ok' watches, and this may turn out to be another 'just ok' watch but for me to have a nice watch that's inspired by cars I like can only a good thing.
What I will say is some of the Bremont watches priced in excess of £6K (like some Ltd edition and I think the Boing one) and more specifically the Mk1 Jaguar one with 'their own movement' does not warrant £8448 and I made this clear to the dealer, and expressed as a customer if you were spending £6/8K you'd be looking at a totally different brands like Rolex, Panerai etc.
But this doesn't mean the ones priced £3495 to £4500 are way overpriced, and just because they have not been around for 100 years doesn't mean they are of poor quality, or have poor brand presence, there are far worse watches around the marketplace within this price point.
Thanks again for all of your views and feedback.
Andy
Well this brand really does split opinions....
Ok well thanks for all your opinions and pictures of watches, and so here is an update from me:
I contacted bremont UK about these jaguar inspired watches, and asked a simple question about strap type/colour/style and had a reply within 2 hours so that's a real plus and backs up comments made here re: customer service.
I've visited a local Bremont stockist, and managed to have a look at many of the range, in particular the three Jaguar ones (the ones that caught my eye in the first place)
Tried on all of the Jaguar ones so Mk1/2/3 and am leaning towards the Mk3 with its simpler face design and blue strap at £3495 RRP.
I have to say I did like them, quality, weight and feel seems very good, the higher priced ones have a very pretty visible movement and a design internally of the E-types steering wheel, and overall given the 3 year warranty, a dealer 8 miles from my house, good customer service and a quality feeling product I must say overall pretty impressed.
My comments initially over residual values were my only sticking point (not that I intended to invest in it or make any money that'd be silly thing to do on a modern watch that isn't a rolex) but there are also many other premium long established brands which have poor used resale's one of which being Tag Heur, and I don't think it makes much difference if a watch maker collaborates or not some brands still lose a lot of money.
Looking at used values I'm not sure they drop as much as people indicate:
http://www.watchfinder.co.uk/Bremont/Martin-Baker/...
So what I'll do next depends on what price I can get it for. I've asked the dealer about discount, and they are going to call me before Wednesday with an answer (the shop owner was away) although it was indicated a discount was not a problem, so if I can get the price to start with a £2K and not a £3K then potential result my aim is to get 22% so lets see....
I should also point out my initial draw to these watches is in fact 50% part the Jaguar E-type theme, and whether they had anything to do with Jaguar E-type 50 years ago is not really a major concern to me, there are plenty of brand of product that endorse or collaborate with other makers of other products or organisations and it doesn't devalue the desirability of the product to me at all that there might not be documented history going back 50 years to backup the theme or a particular collaboration, for me personally this watch will compliment my own E-type car perfectly indeed.
Bremont did supply some watches to Jaguar for the initial build of 6 lightweight heritage cars and these were given to the buyers as a gift with the cars, I presume this is what they are making reference to on the website and marketing? Jaguar clearly made a choice and worked with Bremont to market their brand on a watch and in my mind its a nice idea one Jaguar are clearly not exactly upset about. If this had been done by another watch maker than so be it, maybe I'd be looking at their brand as well now. so for me (a car guy, who owns an E-type) its a good thing, they look good, have good warranty, local dealer, and are being aimed and priced mid way in a large market of 'just ok' watches, and this may turn out to be another 'just ok' watch but for me to have a nice watch that's inspired by cars I like can only a good thing.
What I will say is some of the Bremont watches priced in excess of £6K (like some Ltd edition and I think the Boing one) and more specifically the Mk1 Jaguar one with 'their own movement' does not warrant £8448 and I made this clear to the dealer, and expressed as a customer if you were spending £6/8K you'd be looking at a totally different brands like Rolex, Panerai etc.
But this doesn't mean the ones priced £3495 to £4500 are way overpriced, and just because they have not been around for 100 years doesn't mean they are of poor quality, or have poor brand presence, there are far worse watches around the marketplace within this price point.
Thanks again for all of your views and feedback.
Andy
A bit late to the party, but here's my thread-
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
I recently bought an ALT1- it's a very nice watch, except for the deployment bracelet; I hate it, it's bulky and the push in clip sits right on my wrist and digs in when I move my hand. I've just replaced it with a cheap silicone strap.
I was concerned about residuals, but I got it at a 40% discount which helps, but I would emphasise I bought it because I liked it, not as an appreciating asset.
I like it because it's different, it doesn't draw lots of attention (apart from people who 'get' watches), and will never be accused of being a fake watch , like my Omega has been along with one of my Tags..and as an overpaid contractor it's not as brash as one of my colleagues Daytona which is always commented on!
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
I recently bought an ALT1- it's a very nice watch, except for the deployment bracelet; I hate it, it's bulky and the push in clip sits right on my wrist and digs in when I move my hand. I've just replaced it with a cheap silicone strap.
I was concerned about residuals, but I got it at a 40% discount which helps, but I would emphasise I bought it because I liked it, not as an appreciating asset.
I like it because it's different, it doesn't draw lots of attention (apart from people who 'get' watches), and will never be accused of being a fake watch , like my Omega has been along with one of my Tags..and as an overpaid contractor it's not as brash as one of my colleagues Daytona which is always commented on!
el stovey said:
The OP is asking for views on the Bremont brand and is concerned about residuals. People are just giving their views on Bremont and pointing out their poor residuals.
Firstly as others have said, if you like it, buy it. If you are worried about depreciation don't or buy used.Edited by el stovey on Sunday 4th September 18:39
Like other brands, some Bremonts will decrease in value more than others, depending on model purchased, some may increase in value. A S/S Rolex sport watch will hold much better value than some of the bi metal Rolex's.
Before I purchased my first Bremont I thought I wanted a steel Daytona, (partly due to its lack of depreciation) tried both white and black face but it wasn't for me. Its a great watch but not for me at that time.( I say at the time, as I find my taste changing)
I have also brought and sold a used Bremont and not lost money.
From my personal experience I don't see Bremont having poor residuals over any other watch manufacturers.
I ventured into Bremont ownership about a year ago and became very acquainted with their (admittedly fantastic customer service) much too soon (immediately after delivery of my brand new watch) which really tainted my opinion.
Nick and Giles are genuinely nice guys but there just seems to be too many "limited editions" being released, and the Wright Flyer debacle really wasn't handled well at all.
Nick and Giles are genuinely nice guys but there just seems to be too many "limited editions" being released, and the Wright Flyer debacle really wasn't handled well at all.
FezSpider said:
alanm_3 said:
I ventured into Bremont ownership about a year ago and became very acquainted with their (admittedly fantastic customer service) much too soon (immediately after delivery of my brand new watch) which really tainted my opinion..
I have read this three times now and cant get a grip on what your saying 
Was the dustumer service fantastic or not? The " really tainted my opinion" threw me.
When you buy a brand new watch, you expect it to not have to be returned to the manufacturer multiple times for remedial work, and it was this aspect which “tainted" his initial view of the brand.
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