Prepare to be surprised! Bremont, a brand synonymous with rugged aviation watches, has thrown a curveball with the Terra Nova 38 Jumping Hour Stealth Black. In a world where jumping hour complications are all the rage, with heavyweights like Audemars Piguet and the revived Niton making waves, Bremont's entry is a bold and unexpected move. But here's where it gets interesting: this isn't just another jumping hour watch; it's a tactical, stealthy reinterpretation of their Terra Nova line, now cloaked in a full-black DLC case.
Jumping hour watches, popularized in the 1920s thanks to Austrian engineer Josef Pallweber's 1883 patent, offer a unique digital-like display. Instead of a traditional hour hand, a disc beneath the dial jumps instantly to the next hour. But don't be fooled by its simplicity – this complication is deceptively complex.
The challenge lies in releasing a burst of energy with pinpoint precision when the minute hand hits 60, propelling the hour disc forward in a fraction of a second. Watchmakers must ensure this high-torque release doesn't compromise the movement's accuracy. This demands a robust and energy-efficient gear train, along with a larger mainspring to handle the power requirements.
And this is the part most people miss: Bremont's Terra Nova Jumping Hour Stealth Black isn't just about looks. Inspired by early 20th-century military pocket watches, it blends historical charm with modern specs. The 38mm steel case, coated in black DLC, features a vertically brushed protective shield over the dial, reminiscent of trench watch shrapnel guards.
Three apertures reveal the jumping hours, a sweeping seconds hand with Bremont's Wayfinder compass logo, and minutes. Super-LumiNova on the hour numerals and seconds hand ensures readability in low light.
Powering this stealthy timepiece is the calibre BC634, a Sellita-based automatic movement with a proprietary jumping hour module. This high-torque movement delivers a lightning-fast hour jump in less than 1/10th of a second and boasts a respectable 56-hour power reserve.
The Terra Nova Jumping Hour Stealth Black comes in two variants: a black DLC bracelet with a quick-release folding clasp for EUR 5,900, or a black leather Bund strap, a nod to WWII pilot straps, for EUR 5,450.
Is Bremont's foray into jumping hours a brilliant tactical move or a departure from their aviation roots? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
Technical Specifications:
Case: 38mm diameter x 9.1mm thickness x 44mm length, stainless steel with black DLC coating, black DLC protective steel cover over dial (vertically brushed), push-in crown, sealed steel caseback, 30m water resistance.
Dial: Protective cover with 3 apertures (jumping hours at noon, running seconds with Wayfinder logo in center, minutes at 6 o'clock), white printed numerals on black background, apertures protected by sapphire crystal, Arabic hour numerals and seconds hand with Super-LumiNova.
Movement: Calibre BC634, automatic jumping hours movement by Sellita for Bremont, 29 jewels, 28,800vph, 56h power reserve, Glucydur balance wheel, Anachron balance spring, Nivaflex mainspring.
Bracelet/Strap: Quick-release 3-link black DLC steel bracelet with deployant clasp or quick-release black calfskin Bund strap.
References: TN38-JH-DLC-CC-B (black DLC steel bracelet), TN38-JH-DLC-CC-L-S (black calfskin Bund strap)
Price: EUR 5,450 (leather strap), EUR 5,900 (steel bracelet)
For more information, visit: https://www.bremont.com/
