The Military Themed Bremont Broadsword Recon Bronze

One of the few large-scale watchmaking companies based on UK soil, Bremont has, over the years, forged strong connections with Britain’s Ministry of Defence, supplying the British Army with dedicated watches. As a tribute to this partnership and MoD watches of the past, Bremont created the Broadsword series, inspired by the all-important Dirty Dozen. First available in bronze models with closed dials, then in a steel Broadsword Recon limited edition last year, the model returns in a 100-piece limited series with a bronze case and heraldic badges of all three services – the Royal Navy, British Army, and Royal Air Force – on the caseback. 

The latest model to report for duty in Bremont’s Armed Forces Collection is based on an existing collection that first saw the light in 2019, followed in 2020 by a trio of bronze versions, as reported here. Unlike many military themed watches, Bremont has legitimate credentials and has enjoyed an official partnership with the Ministry of Defence (MoD) since 2019. This partnership allows Bremont to use the signs, symbols and Heraldic Badges of Britain’s Ministry of Defence. Initially available exclusively to personnel of Her (back then) and now His Majesty’s Armed Forces, the Bremont Broadsword became available to the public.

This collection is Bremont’s contemporary take on the Dirty Dozen, known in military code as W.W.W. (watch wristlet waterproof), a series of timepieces made to MoD specifications for its armed forces during World War II – robust waterproof timepieces with black dials, high contrast, luminous paint and subsidiary seconds. A distinguishing feature of the watches was the engraving of the Broad Arrow or pheon to denote property of the British crown.

Limited to 100 pieces, this new Bremont Broadsword Recon Bronze is built around the brand’s longstanding partnership with the United Kingdom’s Ministry of Defence. Measuring 40mm in diameter, the two-piece case (non-Trip Tick, as it has always been) is made of solid CuSn8 bronze with a brushed finish and three engraved lines on the side. Since bronze is a living material, each model will develop its own unique patina over time. The watch is built to last, with a screw-down crown, a steel screwed back and 100m water-resistance. Proportions are fair, with a 12.5mm thickness and a 47mm length.

What sets this Broadsword Recon Bronze Limited Edition apart from the classic models explored in this article is the sandwich dial. The lower part of the dial is a plate coated with vintage-toned Super-LumiNova, with green emissions. On top is a matte black dial with cutouts for the numerals and markers of the small seconds counter, maximising legibility day and night. The hands are black to enhance the contrast between the background and the SLN inserts. A date window sits at 3 o’clock; although it might not be entirely necessary, at least the disc colour matches that of the dial. A nice detail is that the numerals are framed by glossy black edges, creating a striking visual depth. Being part of the military issued collection, it retains the brand’s historic logo.

Inside the case is the chronometer-rated calibre BE-95- 2AV, based on the Sellita SW260-1 (the small seconds version of the SW200, itself an alternative to the ETA 2824). But what matters most on this side of the Broadsword Recon Bronze is the solid steel caseback. As the sole luxury watch brand permitted to use the signs, symbols, and heraldic badges of the Royal Navy, British Army, and Royal Air Force, the caseback is stamped with the badges of all three services and states: “Approved by Her Majesty’s Armed Forces”. This is because His Majesty’s Armed Forces designed and approved this timepiece before the new crests had been decreed. Once the crests are decreed, all casebacks within Bremont’s Armes Forces Collection will be updated accordingly.

The Bremont Broadsword Recon Bronze Limited Edition is worn on a black sailcloth strap with a bronze pin buckle. It will be produced in 100 pieces and is now available from the brand’s online store at EUR 4,150, GBP 3,450 or USD 3,950. For more details, please visit www.bremont.com.