Bremont has announced a significant update to its aviation-themed lineup with the re-introduction of a highly recognizable design element to the MB Meteor model. The new Altitude MB Meteor Orange Barrel channels a celebrated feature from the brand’s past, combining it with the latest technical advancements and material sciences. This release serves as a direct nod to the original MBII, a watch that cemented Bremont's reputation for creating robust and visually distinct pilot's instruments. The new model is not merely a cosmetic update but a comprehensive evolution, integrating a refined case, enhanced user interface, and a lightweight titanium construction that speaks to the brand’s modern engineering capabilities.
Founded in 2002 by brothers Nick and Giles English,
Bremont was born from a passion for aviation and mechanics. This foundation has guided the company's unwavering mission: to craft the world's most capable tool watches. Each timepiece is conceived with a specific purpose, designed to perform reliably under extreme conditions, whether at high altitude, deep beneath the ocean's surface, or across challenging terrestrial landscapes. This philosophy is directly inspired by the determined spirit of British pioneers and explorers who pushed the boundaries of what was thought possible.
Courtesy of Bremont
The brand's mantra, ‘Take It Further,’ is more than a slogan; it is the core principle that drives its design and manufacturing processes. This commitment is physically manifested in 'The Wing,' Bremont's 35,000 sq. ft. state-of-the-art manufacturing facility nestled in the Chiltern valley. Here, the company brings its meticulously engineered watches to life, ensuring every component meets exacting standards. The watches are built around the foundational principles of Air, Land, and Sea, resulting in purposeful products that are both practical in their execution and deeply rooted in a heritage of performance.
A cornerstone of Bremont's identity is its 16-year partnership with Martin-Baker, the British manufacturer responsible for supplying ejection seat systems to over 70% of the world's air forces. This collaboration is far from a simple branding exercise. It represents a shared commitment to uncompromising reliability and durability. The MB range of watches is subjected to the same grueling testing regimen as the ejection seats themselves, a process that establishes a level of credibility rarely seen in the watch industry.
This rigorous testing protocol includes live ejection testing, where the watches endure immense g-forces. They are also subjected to extreme temperature exposure, from freezing cold to intense heat, as well as prolonged vibration and severe impact simulations. By surviving these trials, the MB Meteor proves its mettle as a legitimate military-grade instrument, built to function flawlessly in the most hostile environments imaginable. This heritage of proven toughness is a defining characteristic of every watch that bears the MB name.
Visually, the Altitude MB Meteor Orange Barrel makes an immediate impression. The watch is available with two distinct dial options: a stark, high-contrast silver dial or a classic, tactical black dial. The silver dial variant presents a clean, legible face where the black applied numerals and red accents stand out sharply, offering clarity at a quick glance. The overall aesthetic is one of purposeful design, balancing modern watchmaking with the functional look of an aircraft cockpit instrument.
Courtesy of Bremont
The black dial version offers a more traditional pilot's watch appearance, with a stealthy and utilitarian feel. The brushed black galvanic metal surface serves as a muted backdrop for the bright white Super-LumiNova filled hands and markers. On both dial versions, key functional elements are accented in red, including the tip of the seconds hand, adding a subtle but important flash of color that aids in readability and ties into the aviation theme.
A defining feature retained from the broader MB collection is the distinctive seconds hand. It is engineered with a "lollipop" style tip filled with red, ensuring it is easily tracked as it sweeps across the dial. The counterbalance is equally iconic, shaped to resemble the looped pull handle of an ejection seat, complete with its signature black and white stripes. This detail is a constant visual reminder of the watch's direct connection to Martin-Baker and the world of military aviation.
Further inspection reveals the thoughtful application of modern and military-inspired design cues. The dial features applied, stencil-style numerals and indexes, a choice that enhances the watch's tool-like character while providing a sense of depth. These elements are generously filled with the latest generation of white Super-LumiNova®, which emits a strong blue glow in low-light conditions, ensuring optimal legibility whether in a dimly lit cockpit or during nighttime activities. The hands are finished in a gloss black, providing a sharp contrast against either the silver or black dial, and are also treated with Super-LumiNova®.
Turning the watch over reveals a decorated titanium open case back, offering a view into the mechanical heart of the timepiece. Through the sapphire crystal exhibition window, the BB14 automatic movement is on full display. The custom Bremont rotor has been decorated with Geneva Stripes and is finished in a contemporary gunmetal grey, adding a layer of mechanical artistry to a watch built for extreme performance. This transparent case back allows the owner to appreciate the fine engineering that powers their instrument.
The case itself is a marvel of Bremont’s engineering, built using the brand's signature Trip-Tick® construction. This three-part assembly consists of a top bezel, a case back, and a distinct central barrel, which are sandwiched together to form a robust and water-resistant housing. For the Altitude collection, this design has been refined to feature a slimmer profile and a reduced lug-to-lug distance, significantly improving the ergonomics and making the 42mm case wear comfortably on a wider range of wrists.
Courtesy of Bremont
The entire case is crafted from Grade 2 titanium, a material chosen for its exceptional strength-to-weight ratio. This makes the watch noticeably lighter and more comfortable for all-day wear compared to a similar model in stainless steel, without sacrificing any durability. The brushed finish on the titanium gives the watch a modern, technical look that resists fingerprints and minor scratches, maintaining its clean appearance through daily use. The watch head alone weighs a mere 53.29 grams, a testament to the lightweight properties of its construction.
The standout feature of this particular model is, of course, the central barrel. In a bold design statement, Bremont has reintroduced the vibrant orange knurled barrel first seen on the celebrated MBII. This is not just any shade of orange; the company undertook an extensive research and development process to find the perfect hue that was true to the original while meeting modern performance standards. The goal was to create a color that was both visually striking and capable of withstanding the rigors of the Bremont/Martin-Baker testing protocol.
To achieve this, the Grade 2 titanium barrel is coated with Cerakote®, a specialized ceramic-polymer finish renowned for its exceptional toughness and resilience. This proprietary coating provides outstanding hardness, resistance to abrasion, and thermal stability, ensuring the brilliant orange color will not fade or chip over time. The knurled texture of the barrel not only adds a tactile element to the design but also provides a secure grip when handling the watch.
Functionality is managed through a distinctive twin-crown system, a hallmark of the MB series. A crown at the 2 o’clock position is used for traditional functions: winding the mainspring and setting the time and date. A second crown at the 4 o’clock position is dedicated to operating the inner bi-directional bezel. This layout is intuitive and ergonomically sound, allowing for easy adjustments without interference between the two crowns.
Courtesy of Bremont
The inner rotating bezel is controlled by Bremont’s re-engineered Roto-Click® system. This mechanism has been enhanced for the Altitude collection to provide an even smoother and more precise action. With each turn of the 4 o'clock crown, the bezel moves with a clean, satisfying tactile click. This feature is not only functional for timing events but is also a signature detail that MB owners instantly recognize and appreciate for its satisfying feedback.
Inside the titanium case, the movement is protected by a sophisticated series of dampening and shielding technologies. To guard against physical impacts, the entire movement is suspended within a flexible rubber mount. This proprietary anti-shock system is designed to absorb shocks and vibrations, minimizing their effect on the delicate components of the caliber and ensuring its continued accuracy even after a significant jolt.
To protect the watch's timekeeping precision from the magnetic fields encountered in daily life and specialized environments like cockpits, the movement is further encased within a soft iron ring. This ring functions as a Faraday cage, redirecting magnetic flux around the caliber rather than allowing it to pass through. This anti-magnetic protection ensures the watch remains reliable and accurate, reinforcing its status as a dependable instrument for professionals.
Powering the Altitude MB Meteor is the BB14 automatic movement. This robust and reliable caliber operates at a frequency of 28,800 beats per hour (4Hz) and is built with 24 jewels to reduce friction on critical components. One of its most practical features is its extended 68-hour power reserve, allowing the watch to run for nearly three full days off the wrist without needing to be wound. The date function is cleanly integrated at the 3 o'clock position.
The watch is fitted with a newly designed titanium bracelet that complements the case material and finish. It features a convenient quick-release system, allowing the owner to easily swap the bracelet for a strap without the need for tools. The bracelet has been engineered for maximum flexibility and comfort, utilizing curved bars that enable the links to articulate smoothly and conform perfectly to the curve of the wrist. The crystal covering the dial is a glass box anti-reflective sapphire, which is highly scratch-resistant and treated to reduce glare for optimal clarity. Water resistance is rated at 10 ATM, equivalent to 100 meters.
Courtesy of Bremont
As Bremont CEO Davide Cerrato commented, "This reintroduction embodies the spirit of bold innovation that defines Bremont. The orange barrel is a vivid design statement and a tribute to our long-standing partnership with Martin-Baker. It’s a celebration of colour and the uncompromising performance of the MB range." This sentiment perfectly captures the essence of the Altitude MB Meteor Orange Barrel. It successfully merges a nostalgic design cue with a host of technical upgrades, creating an instrument that pays homage to its past while firmly looking toward the future of performance watchmaking.
The Bremont Altitude MB Meteor Orange Barrel is positioned as a regular production model within the brand's Altitude collection. It is available for purchase with either the silver or black dial option, catering to different aesthetic preferences. The watch is priced at £4,950.00, reflecting its advanced materials, proprietary engineering, and the rigorous testing it has endured. It represents a compelling option for those who value proven durability, aviation heritage, and a bold design statement.
Case: 42mm Grade 2 Titanium Trip-Tick® case with a knurled Orange CERAKOTE® barrel. Features a 49.3mm case length, 12.23mm depth, 22mm lug width, decorated open case back, and 100m water resistance.
Movement: BB14-AH automatic movement with a 68-hour power reserve. Beats at 28,800 bph (4Hz) with 24 jewels and features a decorated rotor.
Dial: Available in Brushed Black or Silver Galvanic metal. Features applied numerals and indexes with white Super-LumiNova®, an inner Roto-Click bezel, and the signature MB "ejection handle" seconds hand.
Strap: Quick-release brushed titanium bracelet.
Price: £4,950.00
Notes: The watch has undergone live ejection seat testing with Martin-Baker. The movement is protected by an anti-shock mount and an anti-magnetic soft-iron Faraday cage.