August 12, 2014

Jaguar and Bremont to create a series of six unique wristwatches

Jaguar announces its relationship with the Bremont Watch Company and reveals one of six unique wristwatches to be offered to customers of the six new Lightweight E-types to be built by Jaguar Heritage.

"The Lightweight E-type project is so special that we thought we really
needed to create something which complemented the cars and, since most classic enthusiasts also tend to be horophiles, a wristwatch seemed to be the answer," said Ian Callum, Design Director, Jaguar.

"Bremont was the obvious choice as a partner, both because we have worked closely together in the past on the clocks for the C-X75 and XJ75 Platinum concept cars and because, like Jaguar, it is a quintessentially British brand."

"We didn't want a watch that was too obvious in terms of design, but something which captured the spirit of the Lightweight in a subtle yet relevant way and I think Bremont has certainly achieved that goal," he further added.

Giles English, co-Founder, Bremont, said, "We have been working on designing, developing and producing our first exclusive movement for more than a year, and it seems fitting that it is going to make one-of-its-first appearances in this very special watch for Jaguar."

"Creating the watch proved to be a fascinating project, as we were given access to the Jaguar archives in order, for example, to ascertain the exact font for the numerals used on the dial of the original rev counters. The fact that we were required to make just six examples enabled us to be very creative in a way that is not always possible when designing a watch for larger scale production - and that's why we have been able to feature touches such as using real wood for the rim of the 'steering wheel' winding rotor. Each watch is, essentially, bespoke."

Drawing inspiration directly from the car, the 43 mm watch features a black dial based on the look of a Lightweight RPM gauge and featuring a subtle 'red zone' quadrant. The chamfered hour and minute hands replicate the instrument's tachometer needle, while the chassis number of the relevant car is printed at the six o'clock position.

The central band of the white gold case is made from aluminium saved during the construction of the new Lightweight body panels and will be anodised to match the colour of the car it is designed to complement.

Other touches include a winding crown which is engraved with the pattern of the period-correct Dunlop racing tyres which will be fitted to the continuation Lightweights, and straps made from the same Connolly leather which is being used for the interior trim.

Turning the watch over reveals a further reference to the car in the form of the automatic winding rotor - visible through a sapphire crystal case back - which takes the form of an exquisite miniaturisation of an alloy-spoked Lightweight steering wheel, complete with authentic wooden rim. The back of each watch also carries the engine number of the car it is paired with.


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