For those of you who are not into motorbikes, a quick reminder about the Isle of Man TT race might help to understand what’s so special about it. While most races are held on closed circuits, with all due safety features imaginable, the Tourist Trophy course is notorious for multiple reasons… The first is that it takes place on public roads on the Isle of Man. One of the fastest and most impressive races in the world (all categories and vehicles included), it is also one of the most dangerous – although many competitors have died, many will, unfortunately, still risk everything to compete. As an indicator, the average speed over the entire course of the 37-mile race can reach over 130mph/210kph, as riders tear around countryside roads and through the middle of villages. As the Official Timing Partner to the event, Bremont presents a new dedicated watch.
As one of the few mainstream watchmakers based in the UK, Bremont reinforces its Britishness by partnering with military forces or sporting events associated with the United Kingdom. We’ve recently seen the Vulcan Limited Edition Monopusher, a pilot’s watch linked to the Royal Air Force. In a completely different field but still very much about the UK, Bremont now releases the Bremont Isle of Man TT Limited Edition, a racing-oriented chronograph that celebrates a genuine gladiator’s race on overly fast motorbikes. Also, Bremont continues its partnership with Peter Hickman, the fastest man ever to have completed the course at an average speed of 135mph (in 2018), once again victorious in 2022, and who will return this year as the favourite to take the trophy a third time.
The watch in question today, the Bremont Isle of Man TT Limited Edition, is a typical racing chronograph built for the job. Robust, legible and equipped with all features you’d expect from such a watch, it relies on the brand’s layered Trip-Tick construction with its modular architecture. The top of the watch consists of a steel module that integrates the lugs. It frames a central container in stripped steel coated with black PVD. The back is closed by a solid steel element, secured to the case by five screws and decorated with the Bremont Isle of Man TT circuit. It’s a powerful and sizeable watch, measuring 43mm in diameter, over 15mm in height and 49mm in length.
The Bremont Isle of Man TT Limited Edition isn’t short of features, with a bidirectional rotating bezel and a black ceramic insert with a white tachymeter scale. It frames a domed sapphire crystal with AR coating, and the watch has a comfortable water-resistance of 100m, thanks to a pair of screwed pushers and a screw-down crown.
Even though the display is classic, the dial plays on the theme of the speedometer gauge. The hands rotate at 360°, but the main hour track mimics a gauge, with a sector that runs from 08 to 04, and frames two black-rimmed sub-counters, just like the subsidiary gauges on a sports bike. All elements are gloss-black printed over a matte white base, giving a fresh look to this watch. Red accents on the central hand and chronograph hands bring the desired racing vibe, and the date at 6 o’clock doesn’t even feel out of place in this speedy context.
Powering the watch is an automatic, chronometer-certified movement – calibre BE-50AV, based on the 7750 architecture. It has a comfortable 56h power reserve. The watch is worn on a well-integrated textured rubber strap, closed by a pin buckle.