Alt1tude
10-02-2012, 02:04 PM
I had the pleasure of visiting the Bremont Boutique in London for the first time yesterday. Despite being open for 3 months, I’d never had time to visit and longed to see what it was all about!
http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii229/piersberry/IMG_0003.jpg
The store, is situated in the very nice area of Mayfair, central London - When I say ‘central’, it is a short walk from the more popular shopping destinations such as Oxford and Regent Street and approximately 10 minutes from Bond Street, which is famous for it’s many luxury retail and watch shops.
The shop is part of an old terrace building (Victorian, I assume) and I was pleasantly surprised by the high ceilings and size of the shop, I was expecting something much smaller, but it was very roomy in there!
http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii229/piersberry/IMG_0017.jpg
The first thing you see when you enter the store, on the left is a display cabinet on the wall which houses the ‘historic’ collection: The Iconic EP120 and P-51 which “I could try on, but not buy..” as informed by the friendly assistant, who then proceeded to show me the U2 squadron watch, Charley Boorman’s Z and Jake Meyer’s blue ‘P.
I have to add that at this point, I didn’t say I ran this forum but acted like a complete newbie to the brand!
The main display cabinet on the left also houses what I consider the ‘greatest hits’ of Bremont: The MBIIs, U2s, ALT1-Ps, Zs and of course Cs. Not surprisingly I didn’t see a ALT1-C Cream or Orange MBII... I suspect these fly off the shelves as soon as they are in, especially after the weekend.
In between this display cabinet is a rather expensive looking Martin Baker Ejector Seat - The polished stainless steel appearance was certainly different and more ‘expensive’ looking that the military black one I had previously seen. For £50,000 I too could have one of these in my lounge!
http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii229/piersberry/IMG_0025.jpg
Also, interesting to note is the Bremont Budget Box which is the red briefcase on the shelves - this is a leather bound handmade (In England, of course) case which I think fits 10 watches... It’s “For the man that has everything!”... and in a cheeky way is based on the famous budget box used by the chancellor every year in Downing Street.
http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii229/piersberry/IMG_0005.jpg
Opposite to the main display is Nick’s Motorbike, which I’ve seen him riding in Henley and next to that the huge stainless steel ‘batman’ style search light. It used to dominate the (very little space) old Bremont office, so feels at home now with the high ceilings.
http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii229/piersberry/IMG_0004.jpg
Everywhere you look there are photographs; some of the Bremont people, some Nick and Giles and others vintage aviation images. This along with the wooden panels and displays makes you feel you are actually in a museum, not a watch shop!
http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii229/piersberry/IMG_0009.jpg
The next display are for the SM500 Supermarines - complete with bronze style miniature diver’s helmet and next to those we have the more classic range: Solos (including the new white) BC-S2s. F1s, S1s and the new 37mm Solos.
http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii229/piersberry/IMG_0012.jpg
http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii229/piersberry/IMG_0015.jpg
http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii229/piersberry/IMG_0011.jpg
http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii229/piersberry/IMG_0016.jpg
At the back of the shop is a rather impressive stainless steel bar area which also doubles as a shop counter - There is every conceivable drink you could think of on the back wall, which no doubt helps when there’s a party at the store!
http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii229/piersberry/IMG_0007.jpg
There's also some rather nice hand made goodies in the form of belts, bags and laptop sleeves from English company Elvis and Kresse (http://www.fire-hose.co.uk) (Who make most of their products from fire hoses!
http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii229/piersberry/IMG_0010-1.jpg
Finally, around the back, a small lounge area with soft sofas and seats which is probably a good place to rest once you’ve taken in all the watches..
http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii229/piersberry/IMG_0021.jpg
What’s great about the boutique, is it really does feel homely in there... It’s a far cry from the sterile and stark appearance that you often see in other watch boutiques. In fact given the amount of object d’art around the place it feels more like a antique shop or museum and the only thing that brings you back to reality are the ever present glistening Chronometers trying to get your attention!
http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii229/piersberry/IMG_0022.jpg
http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii229/piersberry/IMG_0019.jpg
I’d like to thank both store people for putting up with me yesterday - I’m hoping soon to revisit again!
http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii229/piersberry/IMG_0003.jpg
The store, is situated in the very nice area of Mayfair, central London - When I say ‘central’, it is a short walk from the more popular shopping destinations such as Oxford and Regent Street and approximately 10 minutes from Bond Street, which is famous for it’s many luxury retail and watch shops.
The shop is part of an old terrace building (Victorian, I assume) and I was pleasantly surprised by the high ceilings and size of the shop, I was expecting something much smaller, but it was very roomy in there!
http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii229/piersberry/IMG_0017.jpg
The first thing you see when you enter the store, on the left is a display cabinet on the wall which houses the ‘historic’ collection: The Iconic EP120 and P-51 which “I could try on, but not buy..” as informed by the friendly assistant, who then proceeded to show me the U2 squadron watch, Charley Boorman’s Z and Jake Meyer’s blue ‘P.
I have to add that at this point, I didn’t say I ran this forum but acted like a complete newbie to the brand!
The main display cabinet on the left also houses what I consider the ‘greatest hits’ of Bremont: The MBIIs, U2s, ALT1-Ps, Zs and of course Cs. Not surprisingly I didn’t see a ALT1-C Cream or Orange MBII... I suspect these fly off the shelves as soon as they are in, especially after the weekend.
In between this display cabinet is a rather expensive looking Martin Baker Ejector Seat - The polished stainless steel appearance was certainly different and more ‘expensive’ looking that the military black one I had previously seen. For £50,000 I too could have one of these in my lounge!
http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii229/piersberry/IMG_0025.jpg
Also, interesting to note is the Bremont Budget Box which is the red briefcase on the shelves - this is a leather bound handmade (In England, of course) case which I think fits 10 watches... It’s “For the man that has everything!”... and in a cheeky way is based on the famous budget box used by the chancellor every year in Downing Street.
http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii229/piersberry/IMG_0005.jpg
Opposite to the main display is Nick’s Motorbike, which I’ve seen him riding in Henley and next to that the huge stainless steel ‘batman’ style search light. It used to dominate the (very little space) old Bremont office, so feels at home now with the high ceilings.
http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii229/piersberry/IMG_0004.jpg
Everywhere you look there are photographs; some of the Bremont people, some Nick and Giles and others vintage aviation images. This along with the wooden panels and displays makes you feel you are actually in a museum, not a watch shop!
http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii229/piersberry/IMG_0009.jpg
The next display are for the SM500 Supermarines - complete with bronze style miniature diver’s helmet and next to those we have the more classic range: Solos (including the new white) BC-S2s. F1s, S1s and the new 37mm Solos.
http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii229/piersberry/IMG_0012.jpg
http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii229/piersberry/IMG_0015.jpg
http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii229/piersberry/IMG_0011.jpg
http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii229/piersberry/IMG_0016.jpg
At the back of the shop is a rather impressive stainless steel bar area which also doubles as a shop counter - There is every conceivable drink you could think of on the back wall, which no doubt helps when there’s a party at the store!
http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii229/piersberry/IMG_0007.jpg
There's also some rather nice hand made goodies in the form of belts, bags and laptop sleeves from English company Elvis and Kresse (http://www.fire-hose.co.uk) (Who make most of their products from fire hoses!
http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii229/piersberry/IMG_0010-1.jpg
Finally, around the back, a small lounge area with soft sofas and seats which is probably a good place to rest once you’ve taken in all the watches..
http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii229/piersberry/IMG_0021.jpg
What’s great about the boutique, is it really does feel homely in there... It’s a far cry from the sterile and stark appearance that you often see in other watch boutiques. In fact given the amount of object d’art around the place it feels more like a antique shop or museum and the only thing that brings you back to reality are the ever present glistening Chronometers trying to get your attention!
http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii229/piersberry/IMG_0022.jpg
http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii229/piersberry/IMG_0019.jpg
I’d like to thank both store people for putting up with me yesterday - I’m hoping soon to revisit again!