Bremont Terra Nova Jumping Hour Stealth Black

Bremont has released the Terra Nova 38 Jumping Hour Stealth Black, expanding its current catalog with a monochromatic diamond-like carbon iteration of its existing field watch architecture. This release follows the exhaustion of the limited-production cupro-aluminum bronze edition in early 2025 and the subsequent standard 904L stainless steel variant launched later that year. The integration of a montre à guichet display fundamentally alters the traditional field watch format by removing conventional analog hands in favor of rotating digital discs viewed through dial apertures. In the broader landscape of horological complications, the jumping hour presents a distinctly different mechanical approach compared to continuous alternative displays, such as the wandering hours complication, by relying on an instantaneous energy release rather than constant, gradual rotation. The decision to render this specific complication in an all-black format shifts the visual priority entirely to the contrasting white typography of the time-telling discs. This execution moves the Terra Nova design language away from its early twentieth-century trench watch inspiration and positions it firmly within a modern, utilitarian aesthetic.

The application of a full black DLC coating over the foundational 904L stainless steel represents a specific material strategy aimed at increasing surface hardness and mitigating the abrasive wear typical of field environments. Diamond-like carbon bonds a lattice of carbon isotopes to the metal substrate, resulting in a dark, matte finish that significantly reduces light reflection while offering superior scratch resistance compared to standard physical vapor deposition treatments. This non-reflective property is particularly relevant for a watch categorized under military and exploration use cases, where stealth and glare reduction hold functional value. Bremont positions this model as a contemporary tool watch, leveraging the inherent durability of the 904L alloy, which contains higher quantities of chromium, molybdenum, and nickel for enhanced corrosion resistance against acids and chlorides. The resulting stealth aesthetic provides a high-contrast background for the stark white numerals, isolating the time readout and stripping away extraneous dial elements. By combining an obscure historical complication with modern materials science, the manufacturer presents a highly specific offering within the luxury tool watch sector.

The Case and Dial

The cushion-shaped case measures 38mm in diameter with a conservative lug-to-lug distance of 44mm, establishing a compact profile designed to accommodate a wide range of wrist sizes without protruding past the wrist bone. The total case thickness sits at 9.1mm, a relatively slim measurement made possible by the absence of stacked central pinions typically required for traditional analog hands. The primary material is 904L stainless steel, an alloy chosen over the industry-standard 316L for its superior resistance to pitting and crevice corrosion, particularly in maritime environments or areas with high saline exposure. The exterior receives a comprehensive diamond-like carbon coating, transforming the base metal into a deep, saturated black that absorbs ambient light. Close inspection reveals a strict vertical brushing technique applied across the primary flat surface of the montre à guichet fascia, providing a matte texture that contrasts with the highly polished finish of the surrounding bezel and the chamfered case edges. The push-in crown at the three o'clock position features deep, widely spaced knurling for secure manipulation, finished in the same black DLC treatment to maintain the monochromatic specification. The 20mm lug width accommodates a variety of standardized strap options, further enhancing the utilitarian nature of the case architecture.

The dial architecture abandons the standard open face in favor of a solid, closed-case design punctuated by three distinct sapphire crystal windows. At the twelve o'clock position, a flared, trapezoidal aperture reveals the jumping hour disc, displaying stark white Arabic numerals against a matte black background. A corresponding curved aperture at the six o'clock position exposes the continuous minute disc, utilizing a graduated scale with numerals at five-minute intervals and a small white triangular pointer integrated into the dial plate to indicate the exact minute. Positioned precisely between these two digital displays is a circular window housing the continuous small seconds indicator, executed as a stylized four-point compass rose with a green-emission Super-LumiNova application. This central running seconds hand sweeps over the Bremont Wayfinder logo, providing the only dynamic, continuous motion on the otherwise static dial fascia. The strict vertical brushing of the solid metal dial plate continues uniformly from the top edge to the bottom, interrupted only by the precision-cut window frames and the engraved text denoting the brand, model, and automatic specification. The entire assembly is sealed to achieve a water resistance rating of 3 ATM, or 30 meters, indicating suitability for incidental moisture exposure rather than submerged aquatic use.

The Movement

Powering the Terra Nova 38 is the caliber BC634AH, an automatic movement developed through a collaborative partnership between Bremont and the Swiss movement manufacturer Sellita. The architecture of a jumping hour movement presents a specific mechanical challenge: the mechanism must accumulate sufficient torque over a sixty-minute period to instantly snap the heavy hour disc forward exactly one position without draining the energy required for the continuous operation of the balance wheel. To achieve this, the BC634 utilizes a specialized snail cam and a high-tension jumper spring that releases its stored energy in under one-tenth of a second, ensuring the hour change is visually instantaneous and precisely aligned with the minute disc reaching the top of the hour. This differs significantly from standard date complications, where the transition is often gradual and occurs over several minutes or hours. The movement operates at a standard modern frequency of 28,800 beats per hour, or 4Hz, utilizing 29 jewels to minimize friction across the gear train and the specialized complication module.

The timekeeping precision of the BC634 caliber relies on a high-specification escapement assembly, featuring a Glucydur balance wheel. This beryllium-bronze alloy is highly resistant to deformation from temperature fluctuations and magnetic fields, ensuring the oscillation rate remains stable across varying environmental conditions. The balance wheel is paired with an Anachron balance spring, a proprietary alloy known for its exceptional elasticity and isochronism, which further protects the regulating organ from the detrimental effects of mechanical shock and magnetization. Energy storage is managed by a Nivaflex mainspring, a complex alloy of cobalt, nickel, and chromium that prevents the spring from setting or breaking under the high tension required by the jumping hour mechanism. When fully wound, the mainspring barrel provides a 56-hour power reserve, allowing the watch to remain stationary for over two days before requiring manual kinetic input to resume operation. The movement is concealed behind a solid, decorated 904L stainless steel case back featuring an engraved globe motif, which is also treated with the black DLC finish and secured to the mid-case to protect the intricate mechanics within.

The Strap

The watch is delivered with two distinct attachment options, the first being a quick-release black leather bund strap. The bund strap design originated in early military aviation, specifically engineered to place a thick pad of leather between the case back and the pilot's skin to prevent thermal injury in unheated cockpits at high altitudes, or conversely, to protect against searing hot metal in desert environments. The leather exhibits a tight, uniform grain structure with black perimeter stitching that matches the tone of the hide, reinforcing the edges against fraying and separation. The wide leather backing pad extends noticeably past the dimensions of the 38mm case, increasing the overall footprint of the watch on the wrist and distributing the weight across a larger surface area. If the operator requires a lower profile, the central bund pad can be entirely detached, converting the setup into a traditional two-piece black calf leather strap secured by a standard pin buckle.

Alternatively, the watch can be configured with a matching Terra Nova bracelet, engineered specifically for the lug geometry of this cushion case. The bracelet links are constructed from the same corrosion-resistant 904L stainless steel as the case and receive an identical black diamond-like carbon coating. The links feature a combination of brushed flat surfaces and subtle bevels, mirroring the finishing techniques applied to the watch head and maintaining visual continuity across the entire assembly. Securing the bracelet is a machined deployment clasp, designed to sit flush against the underside of the wrist while providing a secure lock to prevent accidental release during rigorous physical activity.

Pricing and Availability

The Bremont Terra Nova 38 Jumping Hour Stealth Black is designated with the reference number TN38-JH-DLC-CC-B for the bracelet configuration and TN38-JH-DLC-CC-L-S for the leather bund strap variant. The manufacturer has set the retail price at $5,200.00 for the current market cycle. This pricing structure places the timepiece within the highly competitive mid-tier luxury segment, where it competes directly against established Swiss and German tool watch manufacturers offering proprietary movements and advanced case metallurgy.

Distribution for the Stealth Black edition will be managed through Bremont’s established network of authorized retail partners and the brand's proprietary boutique locations. The integration of the Sellita-developed caliber allows for scalable production, suggesting this model will serve as a regular production piece within the ongoing Terra Nova collection rather than a strictly limited capsule release. The watch will be assembled and tested at the manufacturer's primary 35,000-square-foot production facility, The Wing, located in the Chiltern Valley.

Technical Specifications

Case: 38mm diameter, 44mm length, 9.1mm depth, 20mm lug width, 904L stainless steel with black DLC coating, push-in crown, decorated case back.

Movement: Caliber BC634AH automatic, 29 jewels, 28,800 bph (4Hz), 56-hour power reserve, Glucydur balance wheel, Anachron balance spring, Nivaflex mainspring.

Dial: Montre à guichet design in black DLC coated 904L steel, white printed numerals on hour and minute discs, central running seconds with compass design.

Strap: Quick release black leather bund strap (removable pad) or matching 904L stainless steel DLC-coated bracelet.

Price: $5,200.00

Reference Number: TN38-JH-DLC-CC-B (bracelet), TN38-JH-DLC-CC-L-S (bund strap)

Notes: 3 ATM (30 meters) water resistance, jumping hour actuates in under 1/10th of a second.