Bremont Boeing Model 1 - BB1-SS/BK

Bremont emerged in 2002 when brothers Nick and Giles English channelled their aviation obsession into watchmaking—specifically, creating timepieces engineered to survive catastrophic situations. Their father died in a vintage aircraft crash in 1995. The Boeing collaboration launched in 2014, marking one of aviation's most recognised names endorsing a relatively young British watchmaker. Boeing brought aerospace material science. Bremont brought Trip-Tick case construction and shock-mounting expertise developed through their Martin-Baker ejection seat testing programme. The Model 1 was named after Boeing's first commercial aircraft—the B&W seaplane from 1916.

Forty-three millimetres in Custom 465® stainless steel. Custom 465 is aerospace-grade alloy—double vacuum-melted, age-hardenable, developed specifically for Boeing aircraft components requiring exceptional strength-to-weight ratios and corrosion resistance in extreme environments. The material is harder than 316L stainless steel used in most watches, more scratch-resistant, more durable under impact. Bremont's Trip-Tick construction divides the case into three sections: top ring housing crystal, middle barrel containing movement, bottom caseback. The design allows independent servicing of each component and provides structural reinforcement at stress points.

The black dial features applied Arabic numerals at twelve, three, six, and nine o'clock positions with stick markers elsewhere—all filled with Super-LumiNova for night legibility. Boeing blue accents appear subtly: small Boeing logo at seconds hand tip, Boeing text printed at six o'clock position. Date window sits asymmetrically between four and five o'clock—unusual positioning chosen to avoid obscuring any hour markers. Minute track around perimeter. Polished steel hands with luminous filling. The dial layout prioritises clarity and functionality—aviation instrument aesthetic without excessive ornamentation.

Inside sits Calibre BE-36AE—Bremont's designation for modified ETA 2836-2 movement. The 2836-2 is ETA's workhorse date-only automatic, appearing in thousands of watch models from budget to mid-range luxury. Bremont modifies base movements with decorated rotors (visible through exhibition caseback), adjusted regulation, and COSC chronometer certification requiring fifteen days of testing across five positions and three temperatures, maintaining -4/+6 seconds daily accuracy. Twenty-five jewels, 28,800 vibrations per hour, thirty-eight-hour power reserve. The movement is suspended within Boeing blue decorated steel mounting frame with rubber anti-shock mounts—visible through sapphire caseback. This suspension system allows movement to float independently from case during impacts, reducing shock transmission to delicate components.

The case features integrated crown guards protecting winding crown from side impacts. Bi-directional rotating bezel with sixty-click action—functional for timing purposes though not specifically designed for diving or aviation calculations. Anti-reflective sapphire crystal. Exhibition caseback displaying movement and shock-mounting system. One hundred metres water resistance—adequate for swimming, inadequate for serious diving. Case thickness is substantial at twenty-two millimetres—commanding wrist presence but potentially problematic under shirtsleeves.

The watch comes on black organic polymer strap—modern material combining durability with comfort, maintaining flexibility across temperature extremes whilst resisting deterioration from UV exposure, sweat, and chemicals. Pin buckle closure. Spare grey leather strap included—alternative aesthetic for formal occasions. Twenty-two millimetre lug width means aftermarket strap compatibility is excellent.

Very good condition from 2016 means eight years of visible wear—expect scratching on polished case surfaces particularly crown guards and bezel edges, dulling on brushed surfaces, possible scuffs on polymer strap, general patina consistent with regular use but no structural damage or deep gouging. The Custom 465 steel should show fewer scratches than standard 316L would accumulate over equivalent period. Movement should maintain COSC accuracy assuming regular wear keeping mainspring wound. Full set includes Bremont presentation case, outer packaging, warranty card dated 2016 (three-year warranty expired), instruction manual, strap-changing tool, spare grey leather strap.

The Boeing collaboration represented Bremont's ambition to legitimise British watchmaking through partnerships with established aviation names. Custom 465 steel was genuine innovation—aerospace material never previously used in watch manufacturing. Critics noted the BE-36AE remains modified ETA rather than manufacture movement, questioned whether material science justified premium pricing over competitors using standard steel, observed that Boeing partnership was primarily marketing exercise rather than engineering collaboration affecting watch performance. Secondary market values reflect scepticism—BB1 models typically trade forty to fifty per cent below original retail, suggesting initial buyers overestimated investment potential.

Eight years of ownership. Custom 465 aerospace-grade steel, Boeing blue shock-mounting system, COSC chronometer certification. Very good condition, full set with spare leather strap.