Bremont Watch

[CharBaby]

A lady friend of ours asked me(a watch guy) about Bremont watches. She has one but doesn't know anything about them and neither do I. I have looked them up and found some Wikiepedia information on them and have also checked out their web site as they come from GB/London and are a privately owned company.

Also what I have found is that the watches are quite expensive for this particular girl's means, style, budget, income...you get the picture. IDK the model # of the ladies watch.

Yes, she is married(30+ yrs) so, the watch didn't come from a new "Love Of Her Life" and her husband is of very humble means as well as in his thinking, tastes, income/budget etc.

I'm not concerned as to why she has this watch, however, from my viewing, it doesn't look like anything special. All SS w/sapphire crystal and I don't remember if it Quartz or Automatic. And I haven't found out if this brand of wrist watch is replicated considering how much money Bremont asks for their product.

Can anyone tell me more of what I didn't find out about this brand?
Does anyone of our watch gurus here, own a Bremont watch?

 

[Trav]

I had to look them up also, they are using chronometer grade automatic movements and hardened stainless cases (pioneered by Damasko) so the price seems to be in line or lower with other makes of this quality. I bought a Sinn when they were up and coming for short money at the time, these may be something to look at.

 

[CharBaby]

I like Sinn and am very aware of the brand. I guess they're pronounced ZINN?

Yeah, I don't need another watch however, I do have an addiction/illness to them as I have over 70 watches. And everytime I go into a store, I alway stop by the watch counter especially Breitling, IWC, OMEGA, Zenith. Not a Rolex fan but, I don't not like them either. If this makes any sense to you.

When people ask me about a watch that I've never heard of, they're kinda surprised. Then I tell them that there are a GAZILLION watches out there. I couldn't possible have heard of every one. And even as a watch enthusiast, I'm just not interested in every one of them either.

 

[geekster]

I've had two Bremonts. A Supermarine and a U-2.

They have a pretty decent cult following. The fit and finish is better than any Sinn or Damasko that I've owned IMHO (which is quite a few) and the customer service is simply superb/outstanding.

Is it worth the price of what they are asking? Nah, not to me. Then again, most watches aren't worth their weight in parts either. I do like having watches that aren't recognizable by just anyone either. I tend to prefer more obscure/off the beaten path watches.
The resell value on the Bremonts is pretty decent. I almost always buy used as I flip them pretty regularly. Only a few have stayed in my collection long term. So, I would say that they are worth the money, on the used side, and are a really well made timepiece.

 

[KGMtech]

This brand is one of the current 'must haves' or 'must consider' in the watch forums such as Timezone. I've not held one in the flesh, but they have made good impressions on the watch snob crowd.

Some of their case designs are sufficiently unique to help the brand stand out in the horological crowd where so many are round dial, three hands, screw down crown, yadda, yadda, tells time.

The test of the brand is measured 10 years from now.

 

[Old Mustang Guy]

I love watches but I sold a couple and my Breitling Colt Ocean is my keeper. My wife bought it for me in 1999 and it's good as new. I wouldn't mind having a Shinola chronograph.

 

[UncleDave]

Doesn't appear to be much more than a case and bracelet company. Nice looking cases faces and bracelets.

If you go to watchbase.com and look at the lineup the few I looked at are using ETA movements (no big deal at all)

In other words they buy the guts cheap and "assemble" in house - vs manufacture in house.

Doesn't mean its a bad watch - just that its potential for appreciation is severely hobbled as they are categorized as an assembler rather than a manufacturer.

https://watchbase.com/bremont/alt1/alt1pbkbr


UD

 

[Trav]

You could say the same for Rolex, Breitling, Omega, almost all of them at some point used less than in house movements (modified off the shelf) before developing their own. The original Daytona used a Zenith El Primero movt, Breitling used a ETA 7750 in the Chronomat, Patek Philippe used a Lamania, etc.
I don't think Patek Philippe could be categorized as an assembler even though they used the Lemania in their chronographs.

 

[UncleDave]

Originally Posted by Trav
You could say the same for Rolex, Breitling, Omega, almost all of them at some point used less than in house movements (modified off the shelf) before developing their own. The original Daytona used a Zenith El Primero movt, Breitling used a ETA 7750 in the Chronomat, Patek Philippe used a Lamania, etc.
I don't think Patek Philippe could be categorized as an assembler even though they used the Lemania in their chronographs.


There's a difference between being able to do it - and choosing not too in specific examples.

Reson for the el primero is that it's the only mechanical that can strike the 10nth even though their own excellent movements will not.

Patek often used the superb JLC movements even though they can do their own and finish to a very fine level.

Bremongt is not remotely equivalent of the other manufacturers.



I looked at the entry level watch on Chrono 24 - their base Supermarine the s301 drops like a rock used 4095 new to around 2.5K. a Rolex, JLC, Patek, AP, VC will not do that.

Breitling , Omega - you have to still watch out.

 

[Trav]

I never said they were the equivalent to anything, I had to look them up myself. Your statement that the fact they do not do an in house movt because that makes them an "assembler" is not true given the examples I posted. They hold their value better because of the name not necessarily the quality of the watch itself.
In the USA Ebel was never able to achieve high end status like it did in Europe despite have one of the best in house ever made the cal 137, prior to that they used the El Primero.

 

[UncleDave]

The other brands you mentioned were at the time or latter became "manufacturers." Even if they used out of house movements at one point in time.

So even if they were at one point "assemblers" they aren't today...

There is nothing about Bremont that raises them above the level of assembler -that i can so see, nor that of the watch community from what I read about them.

Agreed The top 5 brands or so hold their value or even appreciate because of a variety of factors, but you'll be hard pressed to find many ETA based pieces that are considered an investment worthy piece Bremont included especially in the 4K an up price range.
IWC& B&R come to mind as being 2nd tier but able to at least hold some value.

The residual value in the pieces speaks worlds of what the community thinks - and from what little Ive seen it looks they depreciate like used hand grenades.

Ebel had the skills to build a great piece but lacked the money to promote what was essentially a dead line by the time it was out and in the market.


UD

 

[geekster]

Basically....

If you like Bremont just buy one used. Which is what I did. I think that anyone who buys watches based on investment or resale is over the top anyway. Watches are tools/instruments and should be used as such. The argument of value is illogical. If we are going off of pure logic then buy a G-shock or Timex. The perceived value of watches is subjective and tied to more than just movements. Just look at the crazy prices of vintage "poor man's Heuer" watches. I have two that I purchased 10 years ago that I bought together for $1500. I just sold one of them last year for $3500. Same Valjoux movement..nothing fancy. It's just what the market dictates. "Value" is an illusion.

My dad's Tudor that he bought in 1966 was only $175..with inflation that is what?.....$1200?? You can't even buy a Tudor Sub/Black Bay new for under $3k. Again..."Value" is perceived. If people are willing to pay the price it is accepted.

I agree with everything that UD is saying. I'm just adding, don't get caught up in value. There is something to be said for wearing what you like and not what is seen as a smart buy by the watch nerds (me included). Watches are never a smart buy. Logically, we are all idiots if we spend more than $50 on a watch. Anything over that is feeding a personal want or need that isn't truly warranted.

 

[Yah-Tah-Hey]

My thirty five year old Seiko Quartz will keep better time than that over priced geegaw.

 

[geekster]

Originally Posted by Yah-Tah-Hey
My thirty five year old Seiko Quartz will keep better time than that over priced geegaw.


Exactly! This is the logical side of watches.