After an ambitious rebranding, Bremont show once again why they are one of the best of the Brits! This time, they flex their horological muscles with the return of the classic Orange Barrel line.
Bremont is a brand that has long flown under the radar of many watch enthusiasts. An ironic notion, if you’re familiar with the brand’s roots. Founded in 2002 by brothers Nick and Giles English, Bremont began life designing watches with the spirit of aviation in mind. While this certainly worked for a while, the British brand eventually realised that it wasn’t just the golden age of flight that drew customers to their doors. Their aesthetic was no-nonsense and highly legible, and their pilot-forward engineering ethos had produced a level of craftsmanship that was tough as nails. So, they decided to reshape the brand — not just appealing to adventurers of the air, but those by land and sea as well.
Now with CEO Davide Cerrato at the helm, Bremont’s transformation is practically complete. With the new Terra Nova line leading the charge, the image of Bremont has shifted significantly from what it once was. However, the intention remains unchanged: to create tough watches for tough clients.
Related Reading: Hands On With The Bremont Terra Nova 40.5 Turning Bezel Power Reserve
Back in 2007, one such client was Martin-Baker — an aviation company that supplies 70% of the world’s air forces with fighter ejection seat technology. They challenged Bremont to create a timepiece that could endure the same brutal testing protocols as their ejection seats; A tall order for something as finely engineered as a watch. But Bremont stuck to their guns, eventually introducing the MBI in 2009 — exclusively for those who had actually survived an ejection.
Alongside it came the MBII, made available to civilians and easily recognisable by its signature orange barrel. In 2014, the MBIII followed, adding a GMT complication to the mix. Then in 2020, Bremont refreshed the MBII, offering a ‘build-your-own’ configurator on their website — bringing bespoke functionality to a tool watch rooted in survival.
With this major directional shift at Bremont, many feared that even their most iconic creation to date might be left behind in favour of the brand’s newer lines. However, Bremont has made it clear that no watch is being left in the dust during the rebrand. Instead, they’ve consolidated their aviation-focused models under the newly formed Altitude line. And the latest addition? The Meteor MB Orange Barrel — a tribute to their modern heritage and longstanding partnership with Martin-Baker.
Related Reading: Hands On With The Bremont Martin-Baker II
Measuring 42mm wide, 49.3mm lug-to-lug, and just 12.23mm thick, the new Altitude MB Meteor Orange Barrel doesn’t just come with a longer name than its predecessor — it’s also thinner, shorter, and slimmer, making for an improved wearing experience overall. And rather than sticking with stainless steel, this new addition features a titanium case construction, making it significantly lighter and tougher than past models. The result? A professional-grade tool watch that wears easier, takes hits harder, and lives up to the legacy it’s built on – available on a full bracelet, leather, or NATO straps.
Dwelling on the case for a moment longer, the new Bremont Altitude MB Meteor Orange Barrel continues to showcase the brand’s signature Trip-Tick case construction. Created to give Bremont its own distinct design language, the Trip-Tick case consists of three separate components rather than the traditional two. This design allows the lugs to ‘melt’ over the bezel — evocative of the leading edge of an aircraft wing — while also enabling the use of unique materials in the central case barrel.
In the original Martin-Baker models, this barrel was often crafted from titanium, bronze, or aluminium. In line with that heritage, the new Altitude MB Meteor opts for a titanium barrel — but takes things a step further by applying a Cerakote® ceramic coating. Developed from a proprietary blend of ceramic and polymer materials, Cerakote is engineered for extreme durability, enhancing hardness, thermal stability, and long-term performance even in the harshest conditions. Of course, this also meant that careful research was undertaken to ensure that the iconic orange colour from the original Martin-Baker collaboration remained the same.
Dial-side, there have also been a handful of updates — some aligning directly with the visual identity of the new Altitude collection. The Arabic numerals are now applied rather than printed, coated in a generous layer of Super-LumiNova to ensure strong readability in low-light conditions. The old propeller logo has been replaced with Bremont’s new Wayfinder emblem, marking a clean break into this next chapter for the brand. Most strikingly, perhaps, is the change to the date window: redesigned with a black-and-white striped frame that mirrors the counterbalance of the second hand — both intentional nods to the pull handle of an aircraft ejector seat. Available in black and white galvanic finishings, there’s no fighting over favourites or issues with versatility here – unless you’re trying to style to complement the bright orange barrel.
Turning the watch around, you’re greeted with a sight not often found on Bremont timepieces: a display caseback. Inside, the Altitude MB Meteor Orange Barrel houses the same new movement used across the broader Altitude line (excluding the GMT Chronographs) — the Calibre BB14-AH. Based on the architecture of the La Joux-Perret G100, this movement beats at a contemporary 4Hz (28,800vph) and offers an impressive 68-hour power reserve.
What sets it apart from the standard G100, beyond the blackened Côtes de Genève finishing and a custom Bremont rotor, is the integrated internal suspension system — a key feature that ensures the watch meets Martin-Baker’s stringent shock-resistance standards. There’s also a soft iron ring surrounding the movement to enhance anti-magnetic protection, which cleverly accommodates the traditional dual-crown architecture retained from previous models.
My Thoughts
The British watchmaking scene has grown significantly more crowded in recent years. At the very top, independent artisans like Roger Smith and Garrick continue to produce horological works of art. Meanwhile, the more accessible segments have quickly filled with brands like Fears, Farer, and Christopher Ward. It’s more difficult than ever for a British watch brand to maintain the spotlight — but Bremont’s recent paradigm shift has helped them weather the storm.
While the decision to reshape the brand has been hotly debated in corners of the watch community, many of those early opinions were made without the benefit of hindsight. Through no fault of their own — none of us can predict the future — there were plenty who believed Bremont’s new direction would spell disaster. But that couldn’t be further from the truth. With the launch of the Altitude line—and more specifically, the MB Meteor Orange Barrel—Bremont has proven that while the route may have changed, the destination remains the same. Now, with two strong collections leading the charge, it won’t be long before the Bremont hype train leaves the station — or perhaps more fittingly, the hype plane takes off from the runway.
References:
- Black Dial: ALT42-MT-TI-BKOR’-B’ (Bracelet) / ‘-L-S’ (Leather) / ‘-N-S’ (NATO)
- White Dial: ALT42-MT-TI-SIOR’-B’ (Bracelet) / ‘-L-S’ (Leather) / ‘-N-S’ (NATO)
Specifications:
- Dimensions: 42mm case diameter x 49.3mm lug-to-lug x 12.23mm thickness
- Case Material: Grade 2 Titanium with internal bezel & knurled orange Cerakote® barrel
- Dial: Black or White galvanic finish with red, black & white accents
- Movement: Automatic Cal. BB14-AH (Base La Joux-Perret G100) with date complication
- Power Reserve: 68h
- Beat Rate: 4Hz (28,800VpH)
- Water Resistance: 100m (10bar)
- Strap: Titanium quick-release bracelet with folding clasp / Black leather/rubber or NATO strap with titanium pin buckle