As the luxury jewellery market continues to buck the recession, the trend for ‘buying British’ is enjoying a welcome resurgence. Many of the top fashion houses now boast Brits in the coveted positions of creative director – the world is always eager for a taste of British style. Leading British watch brand, Bremont, is no exception with watch design and case finishing happening here in the UK.
Led by brothers Nick and Giles English, the highly-developed timepieces of exceptional quality have garnered an incredible client list since foundation in 2002. Bremont wearers include Ewan McGregor, Charley Boorman, Bear Grylls and Orlando Bloom; all of whom favour the quintessentially British individuality of the watches over the more traditional Swiss style of other brands. Following huge success across the globe, Bremont is now available throughout Scotland and to mark this occasion, Bremont appoints rugby hero Chris Cusiter as Brand Ambassador.
Having enjoyed a professional sporting career for 8 years Chris now combines his rugby commitments with a burgeoning profession in hospitality, co-owning an award-winning bar restaurant in Edinburgh with an Aberdeen sister establishment set to open later this month. Chris explains his Bremont appointment:
“As both a sportsman and a businessman it’s essential for me to keep track of time. It is critical that my timepiece is versatile enough to take me from boardroom to locker-room and won’t let down in terms of performance and style. That watch is a Bremont watch. The look and feel of the piece is most definitely British which fits with my personal style but the reassurance that the watches are made using only the finest quality components and are hand-assembled by skilled watchmakers in a dedicated atelier in Biel-Bienne means I know these watches are well worth the investment.”
While it has been adopted by sporting enthusiasts and extreme activity participants as their timepiece of choice, it is aviation which sits at the core of Bremont. The father of, brand founders, Nick and Giles, Euan English, was an RAF aerobatic champion and display pilot of the highest calibre and the brothers have inherited his passion and talent for flying. Since losing their father in 1995 the brothers have worked together to create a watch in his memory, designed specifically to illustrate his qualities as a pilot, father and sportsman.
On appointing Chris, Giles English said:
“Our Ambassadors must personify the Bremont brand and Chris does exactly that. His personality is a great draw for any company to want to work with him: a true gentleman who epitomises endurance, strength and achievement all of which are great assets and reflect Bremont, precisely. We are honoured to be working with him.”
It took many years of research and development to bring the first series of Bremont watches from the drawing board to reality. Since then, with new, expanding and limited edition collections, the brand is proving to exceed all expectations. Bremont, in 2008, had the honour of being awarded and recognised as a ‘Brand of Tomorrow’ by Walpole, spearheading British luxury and an astounding achievement in their first year. As Bremont grows and expands at a great speed, they are now stocked in over 25 stores across the UK, including Hamilton and Inches in Edinburgh.
(Content c/o Liberty Cole)