From air to land
The year 2024 might go down in horological history as the most significant year in Bremont’s history. Under the leadership of anglophile industry veteran Davide Cerrato, the resolutely British Brand has undergone some quite dramatic changes — and joining Watches & Wonders, a powerful statement about where Bremont wants to be — is, in many ways, the least remarkable change.
Cerrato has revised core elements of the brand’s identity, replacing the propeller logo with the Wayfinder, which features a hidden four-bladed propeller, to keep some continuity with the past. It’s also worth noting that the aviation watches will keep the traditional propeller logo. There’s also a new font, blockier, and more contemporary feeling. Together, these elements symbolise an expansion of the brand’s brief. Bremont in 2024 is more than pilots and aviation. It’s a brand of adventure and exploration, with its sights set on not just the sky but also the sea and the land. Alongside this more holistic approach, there’s also a new mantra, ‘Higher, Further, Deeper, Faster’, a Daft Punk-esque refrain that suggests Bremont is a brand full of aspiration and drive.
Nowhere is this more evident than in the brand’s brand new Terra Nova collection, Cerrato’s first fully-fledged collection, and a compelling vision of Cerrato’s new Bremont, a brand with a more streamlined offering, with more sizes and geared towards a fresh audience of eager, adventure-hungry wearers. This spirit is captured by freshly minted ambassador Jimmy Chin: climber, filmmaker and photographer. Your regular Terra Nova wearer might not be scaling El Capitan, but at least they know the watch is up to the task.
Terra Nova 38
So, what is Terra Nova? Essentially, it’s a contemporary take on a field watch, inspired by military timepieces of the early 20th century, updated for the modern era. The design language of the Terra Nova begins with the cushion case, made from 904L steel. With a slim profile and tapered lugs, this is a contemporary take on the cushion — sharp angles and crisp delineation rather than soft, flowing lines. The dial is defined by large, blocky Arabic numerals — blocky not just because of the printing style, but for the fact that these numbers are hewn from blocks of Super-LumiNova, made for maximum legibility. Of course, the Arabic numerals are a powerful visual link to the history of field watches, a link reinforced by the railroad minute track and faceted pencil hands.
Terra Nova 38
Not everything on the Bremont Terra Nova is inspired by the old, there’s plenty of modern elements on these rugged models; 100M water-resistance, a solid case-back inscribed with the stylised globe, an easily grippable push-in crown and a linear gradient dial design, designed to bring the wearers eye to the centre of the dial. There’s also quite a few watches in the new collection.
Firstly, there’s the 38mm time-only piece, offered in white or anthracite dials, on leather bracelets or a fluidly complex bracelet unique to the collection, with a design that mirrors the outer edge of the case. Stepping up a notch, there are two dial offerings in the 40.5mm size: anthracite and a deep, verdant green. Alongside the leather and bracelet options, this size comes with the possibility of a fabric strap, with a broad central strip, an engraved buckle and hook and eye fastening. The Terra Nova 42.5 Chronograph adds some obvious complication into the equation. Twin registers are evenly balanced on the dial; running seconds and elapsed minutes. All framed by a bi-directional compass bezel — steel with a black ceramic insert. For now, this model is offered only with a black anthracite dial, but it is offered on the bracelet, leather or fabric strap. If limited editions are your thing, there’s also a series of 50 chronographs in rose gold, with a deliciously rich chocolate dial and leather strap. Taking things even further is the Terra Nova Tourbillon, a dual-timer with a dial dominated by an open tourbillon cage at six and a second time zone indicator/map of the world at 12, all in a black DLC titanium case.
Terra Nova 40.5 Date
Terra Nova 42.5 Chronograph
The final offering in this core collection is the Terra Nova 40.5 Turning Bezel Power Reserve, defined by its bi-directional compass bezel and power reserve located just above six. These two elements give the model its name, but they’re far from the only elements worth noting. There’s a small seconds dial at nine, a nod to vintage field watches. The dials here are blue and anthracite, and the blue, in particular, does an excellent job of demonstrating the gradient dial design.
Terra Nova 40.5 Turning Bezel
The Terra Nova collection is only a few days old, so it’s too early to tell — but it feels like the perfect symbol of a brand at a crossroads. Over the last 20-or-so years, the brand has walked a path defined by its relationship to aviation. Now, under the stewardship of new leaders, Bremont is exploring other paths. Change can be risky but also hugely rewarding. Terra Nova has a strong identity, and offers a clear promise that makes for a strong proposition. Add to this the fact that there’s a literal Wayfinder on the dial, and we’re confident that Bremont is setting upon the right path.
Terra Nova 38
Terra Nova 38Movement: Modified Calibre 11 1/2’’’ BE-36AL (SW200-1b), automatic with 38 hours of power reserve
Functions: Hours, minutes
Case: Stainless steel, 38 by 10.7mm, water-resistant to 100M
Dial: White or anthracite black
Strap: Steel bracelet or leather
Price and Availability: USD 2850 on leather, 3150 on steel
Terra Nova 40.5 Date
Terra Nova 40.5 DateMovement: Modified Calibre 11 1/2’’’ BE-36AE (SW200-1)
Functions: Hours, minutes. seconds, date
Case: Stainless steel, 40.5 by 11.11mm, water-resistant to 100M
Dial: Anthracite black or gradient green
Strap: Steel bracelet, leather or fabric
Price and Availability: USD 3100 on leather or fabric, USD 3400 on steel
Terra Nova 42.5 Chronograph
Terra Nova 42.5 ChronographMovement: Modified Calibre 13 1/4’’’ BE-50AV(SW510BH a), 56 hour power reserve
Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, date, chronograph
Case: Stainless steel or rose gold, 42.5 by 14.8mm, water-resistant to 100M
Dial: Anthracite black or brown gradient (in rose gold)
Strap: Steel bracelet, leather or fabric
Price and Availability: USD 5400 on leather or fabric, USD 5700 on steel, USD 28650 in rose gold on leather (limited to 50 pieces)
Terra Nova 40.5 Turning Bezel
Terra Nova 40.5 Turning BezelMovement: Modified Calibre 11 1/2’’’ BE-79AL (SW279), 41 hour power reserve
Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, power reserve, date
Case: Stainless steel, 40.5 by 11.91mm, water-resistant to 100M
Dial: Anthracite black or gradient blue
Strap: Steel bracelet, leather or fabric
Price and Availability: USD 3950 on leather or fabric, USD 4250 on steel
Terra Nova TourbillonMovement: Tourbillon Dual time Calibre, 105 hour power reserve
Functions: Hour, minutes, 60-second tourbillon, dual time indicator
Case: Black DLC titanium, 42.5mm, water-resistant to 100M
Dial: Anthracite radial guilloché
Strap: Black nubuck
Price and Availability: USD 31600, limited to 30 pieces
Find out more about the Bremont Terra Nova collection here.
