As they venture further into the spacefaring world, Bremont have elected to release a new version of the Supernova dedicated to Dr. Stephen Hawking.
Conquering land, sea, and sky have been the three main points on the agenda when it comes to Bremont’s grand rebrand. Since moving away from an entirely aviation-focused identity in 2024, the British watchmaker has transformed itself into an adaptable force in the industry.
Even then, however, they weren’t content and set out to conquer the final frontier: space. This resulted in the release of the Supernova collection at Watches & Wonders 2026, followed by a campaign that allowed one of these models to take up permanent residence on the Moon.
But Bremont haven’t forgotten their past, nor have they forgotten past collaborators. Prior to the rebrand, one of Bremont’s most compelling team-ups was with the estate of the late Professor Stephen Hawking, releasing three limited-edition watches commemorating his incredible achievements. So, with Bremont looking to the stars, it must have felt fitting to reunite with the Hawking estate once more to release a new commemorative limited edition.
Spaced Out
The new Bremont Supernova Hawking Edition bears the same dimensions as its predecessor. Measuring 41mm in case diameter, with a 48.7mm lug-to-lug measurement and 14.4mm thickness, the watch’s frame is further emboldened by its integrated bracelet design.
However, the watch now uses black DLC over its 904L stainless steel base, matched with a black ceramic bezel. Not only does this add an extra layer of protection to the already high-grade steel, but it also makes the watch appear smaller thanks to the way black surfaces manipulate light.
Serendipitously, it also coincides with Stephen Hawking’s work on black holes, though he famously proved that they aren’t entirely black. In line with the rest of the Supernova collection, the Hawking Edition is offered on either an integrated bracelet or a rubber strap.
Colour-matched to the case, both provide equally seamless wearing experiences, though the rubber strap will certainly make the watch more wearable on smaller wrists. Bolstered by 100 metres of water resistance, you don’t have to go to space to explore the watch’s full capabilities, as its features suit life on Earth just fine.
The Black Whole
In terms of design, the Supernova Hawking Edition doesn’t go overtly overboard with Hawking references. Instead, it elevates the original design while adding touches that celebrate the famed theoretical physicist. The 3D-printed satellite display returns, remaining galvanic black but now set against a black backdrop. The texturing gives the dial enough intrigue that it never completely fades into the background, instead catching the eye as the light changes.
Where the solar array-inspired display was the centrepiece of the original, the Hawking Edition showcases two other elements unique to the limited-edition watch. First are the two sub-dials, highlighted in meteorite. The crystalline texture, forged naturally in the cosmos, remains entirely one of a kind, ensuring no two watches are ever the same.
The second addition can be found just above the colour-matched date window, displaying Hawking’s name as well as one of his most famous equations: the Bekenstein-Hawking entropy formula. Unfortunately, I am a journalist, not a cosmologist, and I can’t exactly explain the concept without my brain exploding.
However, I highly recommend reading how Hawking and his PhD student Jacob Bekenstein arrived at such a compelling idea in his book, A Brief History of Time, specifically Chapter 7: Black Holes Ain’t So Black. See if you can understand it and explain it back to me.
A Brief History Of Time
While the finish and design have changed dramatically, the excellent mechanics inside remain the same. Beneath the open caseback lies the Cal. BC77, an automatic movement based on the Sellita Cal. SW500. Beating at the luxury-standard frequency of 4Hz (28,800VpH) and offering a 62-hour power reserve, it drives both the date and chronograph complications without a hitch.
The Cal. BC77 remains as attractive as ever, with a black automatic rotor and blued screws, but one more reference to Hawking’s work can be found here. Slightly obscuring the view of the movement, the open caseback bears an illustration of a black hole. There remains an opening at the centre, though, making the automatic rotor’s pivot resemble the event horizon at the heart of the black hole motif.
Initial Thoughts
Following the loss of beloved Kiwi actor Sam Neill, I decided to pay homage in my own way: I watched Event Horizon again. Not only did it remind me of its terrifying visceral horror – with Neill’s hellish William Weir remaining a highlight – but it’s also the kind of film that wholeheartedly embraces the ‘rule of cool.’ I’m sure that if Stephen Hawking were alive today, it would be exactly the sort of movie he would thoroughly dislike, alongside other scientifically inaccurate blockbusters like Armageddon.
Conversely, Bremont’s Supernova Hawking Edition feels both like a fitting tribute to the man and a showcase of his remarkable intellectual achievements. Using the Supernova collection as a creative canvas, Bremont have done well to continue their longstanding partnership with the Hawking estate, creating a watch that every enthusiast, and perhaps even the professor himself, could greatly appreciate.
Reference & Specifications
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Reference | Supernova Hawking Edition on bracelet / strap |
| Dimensions | 41mm case diameter x 48.7mm lug-to-lug x 14.4mm thickness |
| Case | Black DLC stainless steel & black ceramic |
| Dial | Black galvanic, 3D printed with white & meteorite accents |
| Crystal | Sapphire |
| Caseback | Open, sapphire |
| Movement | Automatic Cal. BC77 with chronograph (30min register), small seconds, & date complications |
| Power Reserve | 62h |
| Beat Rate | 4Hz / 28,800VpH |
| Water Resistance | 100m / 10bar |
| Strap/Bracelet | Interchangeable integrated black DLC steel bracelet with butterfly clasp Interchangeable black rubber strap with black DLC steel deployant clasp |