Bremont Limited Edition Codebreaker Watch Review
Monday - 29 April 2013
Bremont is working with the Bletchley Park Trust to create the 'Codebreaker', a limited edition watch that incorporates historical artefacts from Bletchley Park.
During World War II, Bletchley Park was converted into a codebreaking factory and became the UK's main decryption establishment, the Government Code and Cipher School (GC&CS). Through the invention of machines and novel manual techniques used to solve the German ciphers, it is believed that the 9,000 scientists, mathematicians and supporting staff helped to shorten the war by at least two years, and saved many lives.
The limited edition Bremont Codebreaker is inspired by a classic 40s officer's watch. It will be made with a unique flyback chronograph GMT automatic movement, and will incorporate materials found within Bletchley Park: pine from Hut 6 (the centre of operations used to decrypt the German Wehrmacht and Luftwaffe Enigma ciphers) and paper from one of the few remaining punch cards (used to analyse coded data). An original Enigma machine will also be used to make part of the rotor of the watch.
During World War II, Bletchley Park was converted into a codebreaking factory and became the UK's main decryption establishment, the Government Code and Cipher School (GC&CS). Through the invention of machines and novel manual techniques used to solve the German ciphers, it is believed that the 9,000 scientists, mathematicians and supporting staff helped to shorten the war by at least two years, and saved many lives.
The limited edition Bremont Codebreaker is inspired by a classic 40s officer's watch. It will be made with a unique flyback chronograph GMT automatic movement, and will incorporate materials found within Bletchley Park: pine from Hut 6 (the centre of operations used to decrypt the German Wehrmacht and Luftwaffe Enigma ciphers) and paper from one of the few remaining punch cards (used to analyse coded data). An original Enigma machine will also be used to make part of the rotor of the watch.
Nick English, Bremont co-founder, said: "Mechanically we have made some considerable movement developments and incorporated materials that have never been built into a watch before. By moving the chronograph dials, building a flyback chronograph function and GMT second timezone we have accomplished a wonderful mechanical timepiece. Both Giles and I were inspired by the 'Bombe machine' and the rotor balance is based on the Bombe's drums. Each watch will have its limited edition number embedded into the case barrel, which will be made of Bakelite as per the original Bombe machine. Hut 6 is part of the current restoration programme and fragments of its floorboards, on which codebreaking giants such as Alan Turing and Gordon Welchman walked, have been incorporated into the watch crown."
The watch will be limited to 240 pieces in steel, and 50 in rose gold. A percentage of the proceeds will be used towards the ongoing restoration of Bletchley Park.
"Bremont accomplished a great deal with the HMS Victory watch, both in terms of product and the benefits to the National Museum of the Royal Navy," said Iain Standen, CEO of Bletchley Park Trust. "Knowing this and seeing Bremont's vision, we were keen to work with them. The mission of the Bletchley Park Trust is to preserve this important part of history for future generations."
Bremont co-founder Giles English said: "Bletchley Park has such an amazing place in world history and has not only inspired us to create the beautiful 'Codebreaker' watch, but enabled Bremont to help raise funds and profile for the preservation of this important heritage site of which we are so proud."
"Bremont accomplished a great deal with the HMS Victory watch, both in terms of product and the benefits to the National Museum of the Royal Navy," said Iain Standen, CEO of Bletchley Park Trust. "Knowing this and seeing Bremont's vision, we were keen to work with them. The mission of the Bletchley Park Trust is to preserve this important part of history for future generations."
Bremont co-founder Giles English said: "Bletchley Park has such an amazing place in world history and has not only inspired us to create the beautiful 'Codebreaker' watch, but enabled Bremont to help raise funds and profile for the preservation of this important heritage site of which we are so proud."
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