The caseback of the Codebreaker watch and the rotor have been designed to echo the look of a drum from the Bombe machine, developed by the so-called “father of computer science and artificial intelligence,” Alan Turing, who worked at Bletchley Park during WWII. The Bombe machine was used to speed up the breaking of the Enigma code so that messages were still operationally relevant (the Germans reset the codes every day at midnight). An early predecessor of modern computers, the machine deduced the day’s settings by eliminating all the incorrect possibilities.
The drums of the Bombe machine (above), an early computing device invented by Alan Turing, are echoed in the design of the watch’s rotor.
The other historical artifacts incorporated into the Bremont Codebreaker are the punch cards, made by the British Tabulating Machine Company, which were used in the decryption machines and then boxed up after the end World War II. With more than 2 million generated every week at the height of the War, only half a box remained when they were discovered recently as the GC&CS, long since moved from Bletchley Park to Cheltenham, was preparing to release records to the National Archives. Bremont managed to procure five of the remaining cards, using remnants of them in the side of each watch case to display the watch’s limited-edition serial number. In addition, fragments of the pinewood floorboards from Bletchley Park’s Hut 6, where Turing worked and where Enigma was cracked, have been integrated into the crowns.
Each watch will have its serial number, represented by fragments of Bletchley Park punch cards (below), embedded into the caseband (above).
The Bremont Codebreaker is also notable for its movement, used here for the first time, which includes a flyback chronograph as well as a GMT function and date indication. The automatic movement, called Caliber BE-83AR, is 13 1/4 mm in diameter and 7.9 mm thick, contains 39 jewels and beats at a frequency of 28,800 vph. It has a power reserve of 46 hours. The 43-mm case boasts Bremont’s “Trip Tick” three-part construction, and both the steel and rose gold versions feature an etched sapphire exhibition caseback. The front sapphire crystal is domed and has been treated to be both nonreflective and scratch-resistant. The case is water resistant to 100 meters, and comes on a leather strap. As indicated by the “London” on its dial, this watch that commemorates a epochal moment in British history is manufactured at Bremont’s workshop in Henley-on-Thames. Bremont has not yet released U.S. prices or release dates for the Codebreaker.
The Codebreaker contains an all-new movement with a flyback chronograph and GMT.
The prototype model of the rose-gold version of the Codebreaker, limited to only 50 pieces.
No Responses to “Bremont Codebreaker: A Tribute Timepiece to Britain’s WWII Cryptologists (Video)”
I am looking for a replacement watch. I bought a Breitling in 1990 – 1991′ I loved the watch, but every maintenance cost over $1,000. I gave up on it,abounded it with a jeweler over yrs ago when they wanted over $1700. To st up to speed. My Timex has been great, but now required a new winding/adjusting knob, so am doing more research this time. Please Sen any suggestions.
I am looking for a replacement watch. I bought a Breitling in 1990 – 1991′ I loved the watch, but every maintenance cost over $1,000. I gave up on it,abounded it with a jeweler over yrs ago when they wanted over $1700. To st up to speed. My Timex has been great, but now required a new winding/adjusting knob, so am doing more research this time. Please Sen any suggestions.
Very dull, uninspiring design.