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News: A Horological Tribute - The Bremont Stephen Hawking Limited Edition Collection

English watchmaker Bremont isn’t new to the world of limited editions—in fact, 2020 marks the 10th anniversary of its “Iconic Limited-Edition Series”. From the Howard Hughes Spruce Goose—try saying that ten times in a row—to the Wright Flyer—which we covered here—and in a rather odd move, the newest: the Bremont Stephen Hawking Limited Edition Collection—a tribute to one of the greatest theoretical physicists to ever live.

Bremont was founded in 2002 by Nick and Giles English

Bremont was founded in 2002 by Nick and Giles English

When I say odd, I mean that until now, Bremont “Iconic Limited-Edition” watches have been taken from aviation milestones and icons—hey, you have to change it up eventually, right? So, to celebrate the life and work of Stephen William Hawking CH CBE FRS FRSA—writer of the best-selling A Brief History Of Time: From The Big Bang To Black Holes and all-round Cosmological badass—is a watch from fellow English-men, Nick and Giles. Get it? Because their last name is English? And Stephen Hawking was English? Ah, forget it.

The 41mm watch is pretty unique looking. It has syringe minute and hour hands, a screw-down crown—resembling an observatory—retrograde seconds and a grand date—but the main attraction is once you turn the watch over: reference after reference to Hawking’s life and work.

Bremont is famous for its aviation-inspired timepieces

Bremont is famous for its aviation-inspired timepieces

There is a depiction of the night sky—the day Hawking was born—the famous T=hc³/8pGMk formula, a piece of meteorite, small circular disks of Hawking’s own desk—which is said to have been one of his most treasured possessions—and to top it off, the serial number is printed on pieces of the 1979 paper known as “The Nuts And Bolts Of Gravity”—the paper Hawking wrote with Professor Gary Gibbons that sought to understand the thermal properties of black holes.

If you thought all that was a great homage to the late Professor Hawking, the collection also includes something for the ladies: the smaller 34mm “Quantum” model. The “Quantum” boasts a full meteorite dial, diamond bezel and a “black hole” rotor that also features a part of Hawking’s beloved desk.

The Bremont Stephen Hawking Limited Edition Collection starts at £7,995

The Bremont Stephen Hawking Limited Edition Collection starts at £7,995

Well, I can safely say that the Bremont Stephen Hawking Limited Edition Collection is not a watch I thought I would be talking about this year. “Hold on a minute, don’t go into the outro, you haven’t talked about the movement,” I hear you say. I could talk about the Caliber BE-33-AE—a 29 Jewel, 42-hour power reserve, 28,800 vph movement, made especially for this watch—but you and I both know there is no need: time is relative. The Bremont Stephen Hawking Limited Edition Collection starts at £7,995, and for that, you not only get a unique watch, you get a slice of history.

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