The Avro Vulcan was a jet powered, tail-less, delta-wing, high altitude strategic bomber, operated by the Royal Air Force (RAF) from 1956 until 1984. Heralded as a symbolic last defense against nuclear war, it is one of the most iconic aircrafts in the RAF’s history.
British watchmaker Bremont now pays tribute to this symbol of British aviation and engineering with a commemorative limited-edition mono-pusher chronograph, aptly named the Vulcan. Part of Bremont’s Armed Forces Collection, a series of timepieces born out of a partnership with the British Ministry of Defense, the Vulcan takes to the skies in a 42mm stainless steel case which is pressure-resistant 10 bars.
The matte black dial features a running seconds sub-dial at 9 o’clock with a two-tone 3-D camouflage design, and the elapsed minutes 3 o’clock counter displays a nuclear symbol referencing the arsenal carried onboard. There is also a date indication at 6 o’clock.
In line with the requirements of the watch genre, legibility is key and a high degree of blue emission white Super-LumiNova is applied across the dial. For the first time, Bremont uses skeletonized cathedral minute and hour hands which are inspired by early pilot’s watches. They are also coated with luminous material for high legibility in the dark.
Turning the watch over reveals a closed case back decorated with an engraving of the Avro B-1 Bomber and the heraldic badge of the Royal Air Force. Encircling the image is the inscription: ‘Approved by Her Majesty’s Armed Forces,’ as this timepiece was designed and approved by the MOD under Her Majesty’s Reign. Behind it ticks the self-winding chronometer rated BE-51AE movement with a power reserve of 56 hours.
Limited to 250 pieces, each example of this special edition comes with a ‘RAF Blue’ Sailcloth strap, an additional Camo Sailcloth strap inspired by the Avro Vulcan, and a set of cufflinks containing material from the original airframe of Avro Vulcan XH558 ‘Spirit of Great Britain’, the final Vulcan in military service.
Pricing for the new Bremont Vulcan is marked at $4,795.
To learn more, visit Bremont, here.
This brand was nowhere to be found in 1952 and is clutching at straws trying to reference a legacy it had nothing to do with – not even the armed forces…