Any Rapha cyclists amongst the bremont fans, this piece maybe of interest to you.
Not sure I'd be wearing it on a bike, or how a GMT fits in with a cyclist, but hey it looks smashing.
https://www.bremont.com/pages/rapha
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Spoke about it in here a while back. I’m a cyclist and Rapha member, but I can’t see how this would be useful for cycling..
Either way, it’s rather nice.
I still see this as a vanity project. Don't ask me why, it just doesn't seem in keeping with anything Bremont. It's not as though the RCC is exclusive either, anyone can join so it seems a little bit bizarre that you have to be a member to purchase the watch as you could simply pay to join and then purchase the watch, or am I missing something?
The more I think about it, the odder it seems. Traditionally, Bremont watches of this type, as I recall, have a significant meaning. Whether it be the red barrel of an MB1, a Bremont Solo Sortie, a Military Project watch etc. The first special project that seemed very odd to me was the FedEx watch for the US market. I guess that some people are proud of flying for FedEx. Even that seems somehow more meaningful than owning a watch for being a member of a 'club' that promotes cycling clothing. Very odd!
As for the general appeal of the watch, the photo that's posted above is very cleverly done with the red lighting. It does make it look rather nice but I suspect in the cold light of day it may look quite ordinary.
I'm out!
I have an MBIII and wear it cycling to work with no problems at all.
I quite like this one.
I am not really much of a cyclist, but I would rather have the standard MBIII personally.
I am sure it will appeal to some, just not me.
I'm not impressed with this at all.
If Bremont were going to tie in with a cycling company I would have preferred Hopetech.
Hopetech kit is world class and made in the UK.
To non watch people i always say Hoptech kit is like the Rolex of cycling gear.
Not only are the brakes, hubs, bottom brackets, wheels etc etc world class they are also beautiful to look at.
A few years ago I bought some QR skewers and didn't know whether to put them on my bike or display them.
Even the bags they come in are a work of art.
I've never needed Hope customer service but apparently they are every bit as good as Bremont
I’ve had dealings with Hope - I had their full kit out on my mountain bike. Absolutely exemplary in both quality, delivery, and customer service.Originally Posted by Lancaster
I would suggest though that Rapha are the clothing equivalent of Hope in the road cycling world - they are a UK company, but only manufacture a small amount in the UK.
If Bremont wanted a brand more aligned, I may have suggested Endura. They are a Scottish company, focused on UK manufacturing and also trail blazing in what they do, right at the top of cycling with World Tour teams - although nowhere near the price point of Rapha!
The only difference? Perception, I think.
I've got endura and can't fault them.
I use a pair of their lightweight waterproofs for walking and they're superb, although not made in the UK.
I've got Foska tops that are over 15 years old, the older ones made in the UK, the newer ones in the EU somewhere.Beltin' stuff.
Lusso make good gear too.
I overhauled the hub on one of my mtb's recently, new free hub body, new bearings, seals and end caps.
I also bought the Hope tool kit for doing the job.
I made some tools for doing the hubs on another bike but one's a Evo 2 and the other is an Evo and they're not compatible...bu66er
I don't think Hope and Rapha have similar ethos. Hope is a long term British manufacturer, everything about them signifies what most people consider to be the best of British. They produce good quality parts at a very reasonable price point (the new Hope olympic bike being a possible exception) and are considered to be accessible by everyone. Rapha on the other hand are simply a cycle clothing company trying to be the British equivalent of Assos but without much in the way of British manufacturing.
I think that you're right about the perception. There's no good reason I can see for the association other than from a marketing perspective. It seems to be just an attempt by Bremont to appeal to trendy, affluent cyclists which I really don't understand. An association with Hope would be all wrong for Bremont as I don't think that their customer base or demographic is the same yet ironically, Bremont should be aspiring to the kind of history that Hope have.
Last edited by theancientmariner; 04-07-2022 at 11:51 PM.
I agree with your sentiment but it's not an association I would make, there again, I really don't like Rolex. That said, most non-watch people probably think that Rolex make the worlds best watches so your comment does have merit.
I suppose that you could use sporting analogies for both brands. Hope is like meeting cycling legends such as Sir Chris Hoy or Sir Jason Kenny. Really nice men, very down to earth and absolute legends. Rolex is like meeting your favourite current footballer. You'll probably never get close to them, if you do they won't give you the time of day and overall you'll be left very disappointed.
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