Small Henley-based watchmakers Bremont have recently teamed with Oracle Team USA in celebration of their recent news in becoming official timekeepers for the 35th America’s Cup sailing race which will take place in 2017. Two of the new watches have been designed specifically for the America Cup whilst the Bremont Oracle I and II embody a number of connections between the sailing company and Bremont’s interest for designs that represent both maritime and flying combined.
This may seem an unusual move to many who are familiar with Bremont’s rich heritage in the mechanical development of aviation tools for pilots and aircraft, yet the realisation that sailing and flying are quite strongly linked may surprise even more so! Not only do both rely on wind, but each have wings of their own variety which effectively deal with the forces of friction. The Bremont Brothers acknowledge that they share a healthy obsession in high-tech materials with the sailing experts of the America’s Cup also, which gave both companies a common ground to begin designing the foundations of their collaborative work together. Originally beginning in England in the year of 1851, the prestigious sailing event was made international by gifting the trophy to the New York Yacht Club in 1857 where it was then r
enamed to bear reference to America in its title. Bremont need only point to the history of the sailing event to defend their reasons for joining partnership with the iconic company, Having an extremely fertile track record with the likes of Jaguar and Boeing, their creations come as a reward for the hard work and thorough research invested whilst working alongside some of the most successful companies in the world. Bremont intend to uphold their reputation for using interesting materials within their watch designs as they evolve in their partnership with Oracle Team USA. A gentleman named Larry Ellison who was running a new British team set to compete in the next America’s Cup event, first began talks with the Bremont brothers when he was given the opportunity to express his keen interest in Bremont’s unique ability to tell stories through their watches. A clear aviation connection was also established between Bremont’s talks with Oracle Team USA when they soon learnt that Ellison was also a devoted pilot. The focus, determination and competitive streak shared between both companies are themes expected to feel very present within the designs of the new quartet, which is set to release at the end of the year.
The Bremont Oracle I and II not only signify the dedication to attempt and compete in the Oracle Team USA races, but they also mirror the same pushing of technological limits as that of the special sailing ships. The new Bremont timepieces meld tradition with technology and have been injected with a strong sense of passionate enthusia
sm. Between the many tastefully subtle co-branding touches such as the beautiful engraving work which graces their case backs, the sailing inspired pieces are very much justified in their attention demanding aesthetics and crisp hand-applied finishes. The textile strap on the Oracle II offers a unique alternative look to the striking red rubber strap which accompanies the Oracle I, with each model using the trio of red, black and white colours in entirely different ways to accentuate individuality and their own set of distinct attributes. The beating heart of the 43mm special editions is the reliable calibre 13 ¼ BE-93-2AE automatic which is chronometer certified and oscillates at 28, 800 vph. The models feature 500 meter water resistant cases that incorporate the Bremont patented anti-shock movement mount and the anti-magnetic Faraday cage which elegantly encases the beautifully 
decorated moulded and skeletonised rotor. The unidirectional rotating bezel of both the Oracle I and II offer a combination of both satin and polished titanium finishes with SuperLumiNova treatment to the indices and hour indexes on the periphery of the dial. Whilst the first model offers a clean white dial for a timeless look, the second watch for the Oracle Team USA series is designed on very similar principles as the Bremont Oracle I. It uses similar Supermarine case technology but with the added feature of a second time zone. The fine varnished matt black dial not only enables great visibility for GMT functionality but strikes a sophisticated chord with those desiring a classic and understated finish. Like with all of Bremont’s masterpieces, the new Oracle I and II will evolve into a natural extension of those elements that the brother’s feel a genuine enthusiasm for.
Explore the Bremont Oracle I and II in further detail here.
