Introducing the new Bremont Argonaut Azure watch

The latest military watch to report for duty – the new Bremont Argonaut Azure, celebrating the legitimate credentials shared between the British brand and the Ministry of Defence partnership.

The new Bremont Argonaut Azure watch resumes the brand’s utilitarian principles in the form of another family member belonging to its Armed Forces Collection. The 42mm stainless steel dive watch is a three-handed model powered by a chronometer-certified movement and equipped with 300-meter water resistance paired with a lockable crown at 4H. The watch is available on an orange “Temple Island” rubber strap or a rugged stainless steel bracelet.

The inspiration behind Bremont’s military watches.

Since 2009, Breitling has been enjoying an official partnership with the Ministry of Defence (MoD) in honour of her Majesty’s Armed Forces, producing military watches that were originally only made available exclusively to Armed Forces personnel. But when the British brand released its Broadsword Collection – three purpose-built watches designed as military tools - Bremont aficionados could experience them on their own wrist for the first time. The collection took inspiration from the Dirty Dozen – one of the most sought-after military watch series in the world. Designed for soldiers during the Second World War, the Dirty Dozen signified the evolution of an early military wristwatch. During the First World War, pocket watches were proving a nuisance in the trenches and on the frontline. The need for a wrist-worn watch was critical. Soldiers had tried strapping their pocket watches to their wrists using soldering methods and had, by this point, discovered that a black dial with white numerals was more effective during the night than the reverse. The Dirty Dozen watches boasted a black dial, Arabic numerals, a shatterproof perplex crystal front, water resistance, a rugged shock-resistant case, a water-resistant crown and luminous coated hands and hour markers.

Bremont’s Armed Forces Watch Collection takes inspiration from the commissioned Dirty Dozen wristwatches and their W.W.W military codes standing for Watch, Wristlet, Waterproof. The British manufacturer extended its MoD line with the Broadsword Bronze last year with, as its name suggests, a case made from seafaring bronze that develops its own patina and character over time. Also extending upon this line was the Bremont Argonaut watch, resuming the brand’s commitment to supporting the armed forces with a hardened steel military dive watch.

The Bremont Argonaut Azure – synonymous with Naval history

The Bremont Argonaut Azure follows in the same footsteps as the original Argonaut model. The Greek mythologically-inspired name of the watch appeared on commissioned ships for nearly 250 years. The Argonaut Azure’s predecessor came with a chronometer rated movement, an internally rotating bezel and a very legible orange minute hand topped with Super-LumiNova that glowed a bright green hue in dark conditions.

The new Bremont Argonaut Azure watch echoes many of these elements but comes clad in a striking blue dial – a possible nod to the brand’s inextricable links to the military diving industry but also a very beautiful colour choice when married with its vivid orange-coloured minute hand. The palatable dial beckons to be read whether riding the waves out at sea or attending meetings in the boardroom. Bremont’s ability to make such military-specific watches so versatile on so many levels is still an astounding artform. Let’s take a look at its unique design in a little more detail…

The case:

The 42mm hardened MoD stainless steel case of the new Bremont Argonaut Azure watch takes the form of the brand’s innovative two-piece case construction and is water-resistant to 300 meters with a lockable crown at 4 o’clock. This approach to watch case manufacture lends itself a real aerodynamic and aerospace feel to it. With two independently machined case sections - the manufacturer is granted more flexibility when it comes to creating a robust tool, with lugs that appear to melt over the strap or bracelet. With the design of the new Bremont Argonaut Azure watch, the case has been executed in satin and polished techniques, utilizing the type of steel used by the Ministry of Defence, particularly for its strong and corrosion-resistant properties. An internal bi-directional bezel is adorned with mint-coloured Super-LumiNova coated markings that assist with keeping on track of remaining dive time, especially the first 15 minutes on the scale which are individually marked out.

The dial:

The Bremont Argonaut Azure has a distinctive Dirty Dozen-inspired dial layout. The custom blue dial reflects the tones of the ocean while light blue shades take up residence around the bezel scale. C1 Super-LumiNova®-filled hands assist with effortless timekeeping in dark conditions and contrast nicely against the orange-coloured minute hand. A date aperture can be referenced at 3 o’clock, dressed against a black background and, as with many luxury dive tools, the 12, 6 and 9 o’clock locations around the hour track are represented by very visible lume-coated Arabic numerals.

The Movement:

Powering the hands of the Bremont Argonaut Azure watch is the chronometer rated BE-92AV movement. It features a Glucydur balance, an Anachron balance spring, 25 jewels and a Nivaflex 1 mainspring. Beating at a rate of 28,800 vibrations per hour and offering a 42-hour power reserve, the performance of the BE-92AV heart is concealed behind a solid steel caseback, meticulously engraved with the Heraldic badges, signs and symbols of her Majesty’s Armed Forces.

Strap configurations:

Saluting the vivid orange minute hand is a supple and sporty-looking “Temple Island” rubber strap in matching orange. Alternatively, the watch can be purchased on a stainless steel link bracelet with a Bremont-engraved fastening, sufficing as a more sophisticated looking timepiece for pairing with formal or professional attire. The complete spec and availability information on each watch can now be explored at Jura Watches here, or you can contact a member of our knowledgeable sales team on 01335 453453.