Bremont releases a new U-2 with Blue Dial

Bremont just released a new version of the popular U-2, now with a blue dial. That makes it sound good as well… the U-2 Blue. Previously only available with a black dial in stainless steel of black DLC coated case, which are all sold out, the new U-2 comes in stainless steel with a blue dial and a blue barrel. 

Furthermore, the new U-2/BL, as it’s named officially, is the first U-2 to come with a display back as standard. This is one of the features that reminds of its sibling, MB-II. Also the colored mid-case barrel of the hardened stainless steel Trip-Tick case. Like we explained in our extensive review of the Supermarine 500, Bremont uses hardened steel that has a value of 2000 on the Vickers scale. This is approximately nine times harder than normal stainless steel that is used for watchcases.

The DNA of the U-2 lies firmly with the Bremont military air-crew watch developed in association with the world’s largest ejection seat manufacturer, Martin-Baker; the MB-I (only for those who actually had to use an ejection seat) and the MB-II (publicly available). The U-2 collection was originally released in 2010. The U-2 features a chronometer rated movement and has most of the advanced elements of the MB, including; the Anti-shock rubberized movement mount; designed to withstand the MB ejection seat program, but also added functionality, for example, testing that has taken the watch to 100,000 feet and -50 degrees Celsius.

About the U-2 Spy-Plane

In the early 1950s, with Cold War tensions on the rise, the U.S. military required better strategic reconnaissance to help determine Soviet capabilities and intentions. The existing surveillance aircraft were primarily converted bombers, vulnerable to anti-aircraft artillery, missiles, and fighters. It was thought an aircraft that could fly at 70,000 feet would be beyond the reach of Soviet fighters, missiles, and even radar. This would allow “over flights”—knowingly violating a country’s airspace to take aerial photographs. The result was the building of the U2, ‘Dragon Lady’ with its first flight taking place at Area 51 on the 1st August 1955.

A nice detail is that the anti-reflective coating on the sapphire crystal is hardened to 2,000 Vickers, just like the stainless steel case. Usually anti-relfective coating, applied on the outside of the crystal, can easily scratch, but not on this Bremont!

The watch will be available to order from May 2013 and will cost £3,595 / $5,450.

Technical Specification

• Movement: Modified calibre BE-36AE automatic chronometer, 25 jewels, Glucydur balance, Anachron balance spring, Nivaflex 1 mainspring, 28,800 bph, 38 hour power reserve, Bremont moulded and skeletised decorated rotor, C.O.S.C chronometer tested.
• Functions: Hour/minute/second, date and day at 3H.
• Case: Hardened stainless steel Trip-Tick® case construction with sapphire bi-directional rotating bezel. Case diameter 43mm, lug width 22mm, protective patented anti-shock movement mount, water resistant to 10 ATM / 100 metres.
• Case back: Stainless steel with integrated flat crystal, 5 stainless steel screws with polished heads.
• Bezel: Patented inner bi-directional Roto-Click® bezel. Operated by crown at 4H.
• Dial: Metal dial, SuperLumiNova coated numerals and hands.
• Crystal: Domed anti-reflective, scratch resistant sapphire crystal.

For more info about the U-2/BL and availability, please visit the Bremont website. Photos are kindly borrowed from the Bremont forum ALT1TUDE.

This article is written by Frank Geelen, executive editor for Monochrome Watches.