English watch manufacturer Bremont is no stranger to producing limited-edition timepieces, and the brand’s latest release is a follow-up to the original Supermarine Waterman watch from 2018. Officially called the Bremont Supermarine Waterman Apex, the new limited-edition model is produced in collaboration with the non-profit organization Bimini Shark Lab, and a percentage of the proceeds from each sale will be donated to the foundation to help support its marine conservation efforts and to further its goals of better understanding the biology of sharks and the role they play within the marine ecosystem. Proudly wearing and testing the new Bremont Supermarine Waterman Apex is legendary big wave surfer and Bremont brand ambassador Laird Hamilton, who embodies the spirit of a true water athlete and is the ideal candidate to put the new model through its paces during real-world use, both on land and below the surface of the ocean.
Based upon Bremont’s Supermarine S500 dive watch, the case of the new Bremont Supermarine Waterman Apex is crafted from stainless steel and measures 43mm in diameter with a lug width of 22mm. Just as you would expect, the case features Bremont’s signature Trip-Tick structure and it is fitted with a screw-down crown at the 2 o’clock location, along with a helium escape valve on its side at 9 o’clock. Fitted to the top of the case is a domed anti-reflective sapphire crystal and a unidirectional bezel with a sapphire insert; however, the bezel includes luminous 24-hour markings in white and blue rather than an elapsed time scale as on the Supermarine dive watches. Additionally, while the standard S500 diver has a solid stainless steel caseback, the new Bremont Supermarine Waterman Apex features a screw-down sapphire display caseback, although the new model is still capable of offering the same 500 meters of water resistance as its standard-production dive watch sibling.
The dial of the new Bremont Supermarine Waterman Apex is matte black and includes the “Waterman” name in blue letters, along with an embossed motif in the center that depicts a shark fin among the waves as a subtle nod to the brand’s partnership with the Bimini Shark Lab. Surrounding the dial is a white chapter ring that features a minute track in black with the “60” marker appearing in red and the word “London” printed at the 6 o’clock location. A date window sits at its usual 3 o’clock location, while large Super-LumiNova-filled indices work together with its luminous hands to display the time. The seconds hand on the Waterman Apex appears in red, while its GMT hand is finished blue to echo the subtle use of color that can be found on its dial and bezel.
Powering the Bremont Supermarine Waterman Apex is the chronometer-certified Caliber 11 1/2’’’ BE-93-2AV, which is based on the ETA2893-2 and features independently adjustable hour hands, although it is the 24-hour hand (rather than the 12-hour hand) that can be adjusted forward or backward in one-hour increments. Like other calibers based on this well-known ETA design, the movement found inside the Supermarine Waterman Apex runs at a frequency of 28,800vph and offers users a fairly standard 42-hour power reserve. Fitted to the movement is a custom-decorated rotor that features an engraved shark fin and a blue wave pattern, which mirrors the motif found on the dial and can be seen through the watch’s display caseback. Completing the watch is either a stainless steel bracelet or a “harbor” blue rubber strap that matches the shade of blue that can be found throughout the rest of the watch.
Despite being a fairly young brand, Bremont has done an amazing job of integrating itself into a number of different industries, and the British watchmaker now has a diverse assortment of brand ambassadors and partnerships, along with sponsoring the Williams Racing Formula 1 team and producing watches in collaboration with everyone from Jaguar and Rolls Royce to Martin-Baker and the British Ministry of Defense. The new Waterman Apex continues Bremont’s tradition of supporting the world of outdoor adventure while simultaneously benefiting a good cause. Production of the new Bremont Supermarine Waterman Apex will be limited to 250 pieces worldwide, and official retail pricing will be $5,095 USD on a rubber strap and $5,595 when purchased on a metal bracelet. For more information, please visit the brand’s website.
