Spy planes are one of the sexiest things you never see. Soaring high above the clouds, manned aircraft, despite the now widespread use of 'drones', are still regularly used for information gathering missions. These jets come mostly from the Cold War era, and those still used today have been continually updated with the latest technology. One of the best examples of these is the famous U-2. First flown in 1955, the U-2 was designed to be flown at extremely high altitudes – around 70,000 feet on average, double the height of regular commercial aircraft. With a very long wingspan, pilots nicknamed it the “Dragon Lady” as it was a fight to fly at low altitudes but became vastly more nimble the higher they got.
The U-2 is still very much in service and is flown by carefully selected pilots from an elite squadron. These pilots reply on extremely precise and highly engineered instrumentation to not only do their jobs but also to survive. It goes without saying that most pilots are serious watch guys.
Recently, English watch brand Bremont released a collection in honour of the U-2 plane and the people who fly it. The collection includes two attractive standard models, a limited edition version, and a special limited edition version made exclusively available to members of the U-2 squadron. The latter set of pieces were actually made upon the U-2 pilots' request. After learning about Bremont's rich aviation history (the brand was formed by two former aviators), the pilots contacted the brand about the creation of a U-2 specific watch.
Bremont eagerly accepted the challenge and, according to Lieutenant Colonel Alberto Cruz, Commander of the Ninth Operations Support Squadron, who was heavily involved in the U-2 watch's creation, the design process took more than a year.
Together, they decided to build on the design of the Bremont Martin Baker watch – the case of which was designed to protect against extreme shock and g-forces. It was probably the most durable case the brand has ever made. At 43mm wide, the Martin Baker case and concept would serve as a suitable platform for the watch meant for U-2 pilots. It was already very durable and blended in flawlessly with the equipment and gauges the pilots were used to working with.
Cruz indicated to Bremont that unlike previous timepieces made by other brands for the squadron, they wanted a watch that was mechanical and had the look and feel of the U-2 plane itself. If there is just one compliment you could offer to the Bremont U-2 watch it would be that the timepiece really does feel like an extension of the plane itself. A large part of this fact – in addition to the instrument gauge-like dial with U-2 branding – is the black case. Bremont uses an ultra-hard black DLC (diamond like carbon) coating on all but one of its versions of the U-2 watch. The result is an undeniably stealthy and military look that helps the watch feel like a piece of aviation equipment, much more so that the majority of other pilot watches out there.
For shock resistance the U-2 watch case uses Bremont's Trip-Tick construction. The case can also be chosen in styles with or without a solid case back. An open case back allows for a view of the automatic movement, while a solid case back provides the watch with an incredibly high level of antimagnetic protection. Around the dial is an internal bi-directional rotating bezel – which is probably one of the best on the market as it uses Bremont's exceptional Roto-Click technology. Inside the watch Bremont uses their decorated caliber BE-36AE automatic movement with a custom rotor. The base Swiss ETA movement provides the time with day and date, and is further enhanced by having a COSC Chronometer certificate ensuring accuracy.
Out of the four U-2 models the most special is of course the Squadron Edition model offered only to U-2 pilots. It is very similar to the publicly available limited edition piece save for the presence of the special red crosses that are also present on the plane itself. These two pieces have “U-2” on the dial as well as a silhouette image of the plane.
The standard models have cleaner dials and offer elegant designs that are purely instrumental in theme. While simple, the layout of the dial is very handsome and is a testament to Bremont’s good taste and poise. This model has a slightly different seconds hand and is available with or without the black DLC coating over the hardened steel case. The watches all come on soft calf leather straps as well as NATO-style military straps.
Eye-pleasing, masculine, legible and durable, the U-2 watches encompass not only everything you want in a solid sports watch but also honours one of the most interesting spy planes every built as well as the brave pilots who operate them.
Prices range from HK$31,700 for the U-2 in brushed stainless steel, HK$36,800 for the black DLC-coated model and HK$39,000 for the limited edition version. www.bremont.com
