The new Bremont Altitude MB Meteor ‘Felix The Cat’ proves pilot watches don’t always have to be serious, with one of the most recognisable mascots in aviation history.
Bremont has always made watches for serious endeavours, such as supplying the British military, or for use by fighter pilots ejecting from their planes. The latest limited edition, however, combines this with some fun in the form of the Altitude MB Meteor ‘Felix The Cat’.
The new Martin Baker collection, or now as it is known, the Altitude MB Meteor, replaced the previous Martin-Baker II collection in 2025 with a redesign of the watch, making it a little more curved, and in Titanium as opposed to steel. They also featured the new bracelets made from titanium as well, which gave the new Altitude MB Meteor a more refined look.
For those not aware, the Altitude collection, and specifically the MB, or Martin-Baker, was designed for pilots as the only watch that is designed and certified to withstand the forces of an ejection seat, which are immense, when pilots get into trouble. So, for this limited release, it makes sense that Bremont uses this collection for the Felix the Cat collaboration.
But, Why Felix?
Felix the Cat has long been associated with U.S. Navy aviation squadrons, most notably VFA-31, aka the “Tomcatters”, where Felix the Cat is featured on the insignia. His story traces back to the original VF-3 squadron, which has been carried forward through successive redesigns to today’s VFA-31. He’s been a symbol of good luck, mischief, and adventure.
Above – the Felix the Cat insignia the Tomcatters use on their jets, in this case, the F-14 fighters used by VFA-31. Image courtesy of www.seaforces.org/usnair
At first glance, you may not notice Felix himself, cheekily running across the dial at six o’clock, but behind the cartoon charm is a watch built with Bremont’s usual aviation pedigree. Bremont has been able to tapp into that history without making it feel gimmicky. The Altitude MB Meteor feels like a serious pilot’s watch first, with Felix adding character to it as opposed to being the entire piece.
A Stealthy, Yet Fun Watch
The watch’s 42mm titanium case with black DLC coating makes this a very stealthy watch. It’s lightweight but solid, and Bremont’s Trip-Tick construction gives it structure and a somewhat unique look. The two crowns at 2 and 4 o’clock, the top for the internal bezel, and the bottom to change the time and date. The Trip-Tick case is designed in three parts, with the mid case still retaining the rough knurling, and in other models, colour, as was found on the previous generation.
The dial itself balances personality with functionality. Against a dark, stealthy background, Felix’s white eyes and mouth stand out in bright contrast, as do the numerals. Yellow accents nod to aviation instrumentation, giving the dial more energy, such as the seconds hand counterbalance, inspired by Martin-Baker’s ejection handles. This adds a subtle aviation reference, while Super-LumiNova ensures readability in low light.
The Altitude MB Meteor is powered by the BB14-AH automatic movement, offering a 68-hour power reserve and operating at 28,800vph. This movement is pretty rock solid in itself, being built on a Le Joux Perret calibre. Bremont goes a step further and protects it with a shock-absorbing mount and a soft-iron anti-magnetic cage, which might sound over the top for a cartoon-inspired watch, but it’s part of what makes the Martin Baker watches feel as solid as they look. Flip it over, and the exhibition caseback reveals the gunmetal grey BB14-AH movement with Geneva stripes and a Felix motif on the sapphire.
Despite its aviation roots and technical detail, the watch is surprisingly versatile. Bremont offers it in two combinations. With a choice of either a textured black rubber and leather combination strap for a more classic look or a titanium DLC bracelet for a cohesive, tactical feel. Each is equiped with a quick-release system, so you could purchase an additional strap to suit your mood. Both should wear comfortably and suit a variety of settings, whether you’re in the cockpit, at the office, or just out on the weekend. It is one benefit of a black watch.
Initial Thoughts
In my mind, the Martin-Baker collection, or now, the Altitude MB Meteor, was always the hero watch in the Bremont stable. A watch built for pilots to withstand the toughest conditions of being ejected from a plane, with both vertical and horizontal forces hitting the pilot. I’ve spoken to a fighter pilot who’s had this happen, and while he is ok now, the result isn’t what you see in movies. It is rough, and he suffered quite a lot of broken bones, including back and neck injuries. The new Altitude MB Meteor collection is more refined than the previous generation, and they do look quite good on the wrist.
But what makes this watch stand out isn’t just the character on the dial or the engineering inside. It’s the way Bremont has blended story, history, and technical excellence into a single package. It’s fun without being too silly, serious without being heavy-handed. And for collectors, the limited run of 500 pieces worldwide ensures it will be a sought-after addition, especially among the Bremont and aviation fans.
Specifications – Bremont Altitude MB Meteor ‘Felix The Cat’
| Dimensions | 42 mm x 49.3 mm lug-to-lug x 12.23 mm thick |
| Case | Titanium case with black DLC coating, Trip-Tick construction |
| Dial | Black dial with Felix the Cat motif and aviation-inspired yellow accents, Super-LumiNova on numerals and markers |
| Crystal | Glass Box anti-reflective sapphire crystal |
| Caseback | Sapphire exhibition caseback with decorated movement and Felix motif |
| Movement | Bremont BB14-AH automatic movement |
| Power Reserve | 68 hours |
| Frequency | 28,800 vph / 4Hz |
| Water Resistance | 10 ATM, 100 metres |
| Strap/Bracelet | Textured black leather strap or DLC-coated titanium bracelet |