The New Brellum Pilot LE.2 GMT Chronometer (Live Pics & Price)

Created by Sebastien Muller, 4th generation of Swiss watchmaker, Brellum is a confidential brand specialized in pilot or racing chronographs. What makes the brand unique is this wish to remain exclusive, and directly in touch with its audience. No more than 299 pieces are made a year, and sold only through to final consumers. It all started with the Duobox, followed by the racing-oriented Pandial and, more recently, his take on the pilot’s chronograph, all in various executions and with several complications added. Lately, Brellum presented a traveller’s chronograph, the Brellum Pilot GMT Chronometer. And today, the second limited edition is released, with a summery blue attire. 

Following the design introduced with Duobox, where the case is framed by two box-shaped sapphire crystals (resulting in a thin case band, smooth contact with the skin and vintage effect), Brellum went for a pilot’s chronograph. While retaining most elements of a classic chronograph, it adds a layer of aviation-related elements, such as large Arabic markers, oversized hands and a triangular marker that reminds of B-Uhr watches. The focus is on legibility and ruggedness, and it tells when you handle the watch. First presented with a movement featuring a power reserve indicator and later released in several limited editions, Brellum added a fitting complication last year, with the LE.1 GMT Chronometer… A second time zone indication, something that couldn’t be more relevant in a pilot’s chronograph.

Compared to the first edition, which showed an opaline white dial with contrasting black elements, the new model plays on darker tones, but still with a fresh touch. The dark, matte blue dial is paired with a matching nubuck strap, making for a summery, casual look. It is here featuring white accents on the hands and markers, all filled with Super-LumiNova – giving great contrast day and night. Hands and markers on this collection are satin-finished, bringing a more tool-ish style as well as avoiding reflection. The display consists of three classic sub-counters (positioned in the emblematic 7750 style) and an additional arrow-shaped and red-coloured hand in the centre, dedicated to tracking an additional time zone. And this means it can also be used as a navigational tool when flying (After setting the GMT hand to local time, you would point it towards the sun. If you are in the northern hemisphere, the GMT hand will point north; if you are in the southern hemisphere, the GMT hand will point south.)

The case hasn’t changed and is here made of uncoated stainless steel, with brushed and polished surfaces. Measuring a respectable 41.80mm in diameter and 15.90mm in height (11.7mm without the crystals), the construction with two domed sapphire crystals makes it more comfortable than numbers suggest. The overall quality is very pleasant, with nicely executed surfaces and a genuine feel of robustness. Large pushers and crown adorn the right side of a case that has a comfortable 100m water-resistance.

The see-through caseback reveals the calibre BR-754 GMT, based on a Valjoux 7754 with higher-end specs. Not only it is presented with a nice decoration – perlage, blued screws, Geneva stripes and 4N gold-coated rotor – but the movement is also chronometer-certified by the COSC.

The blue-dialled Brellum Pilot LE.2 GMT Chronometer is delivered as a complete package, with an integrated blue nubuck pilot strap with a folding clasp, but also a 5-link stainless steel bracelet and a set of tools to change the strap and adjust the length. Offered in a limited edition of 23 pieces, exclusively available from www.brellum.swiss, this new Brellum Pilot GMT is priced at CHF 3,150 or EUR 3,590.