Z
Zach Weiss
Guest
Feed from Wornandwound.com .Borealis Watch Forum takes no responsibility for any of the content posted.
Only a couple of months ago, Bremont announced a new partnership with the America’s Cup Event Authority and Oracle Team USA, serving as the Official Timing Partner of the 35th America’s Cup (yacht racing, but crazy high-tech ones that ride above the water). Following that, they released four watches in collaboration with their new patterns. Two classically inspired pieces called the American Cup series; a three-hander and chronograph, both of which hint at Marine chronometers. And two sport watches for the Oracle Team USA Series, based on their dive watch line, the Supermarines.
While they are all attractive in their own right, the Oracle II really stood out for me. Of the watches, it felt the most like a standalone model that would occupy a unique place in Bremont’s line up. It also riffed on a special edition from 2014 I was smitten with, the Terra Nova. Both feature titanium Supermarine cases and GMT movements. But while the Terra Nova was about hiking in extreme climates, the Oracle II is a more down to Earth dive watch. With styling that speaks to Bremonts other watches, but a dial that has its own, subtle character.
As with all Bremonts, the Oracle II is packed with features, some visible others not, particularly in the case construction. So, it goes without saying that it has a 500m WR, sapphire crystal with very effective AR, magnetic field protection, shock protection and one of Bremont’s chronometer movements. Dubbed the BE-93-2AE, it’s an COSC rated ETA 2893 that has been highly decorated, regulated and customized with Bremont’s moulded rotor. Coming in at $6,195, it’s an expensive watch, but in-line with Bremont’s typical pricing, and a true luxury sport watch.
Bremont Oracle II Review
Case: Titanium, mixed finishes
Movement: BE-93-2AE/ ETA 2893
Dial: Matte black
Lume: BGW9
Lens: Sapphire crystal
Strap: Textile and leather
Water Res.: 500m
Dimensions: 43 x 50mm
Thickness: 16.75 mm
Lug Width: 22 mm
Crown: 7.4 x 5mm
Warranty: 3 years
Price: $6,195
Case
The Oracle II has essentially a titanium version of Bremont’s Supermarine case… which is basically a diver’s take on their exceptional Trip-Tick case design, and presumably the same case they used on last years Terra Nova LE. We’ve reviewed examples of their Trip-Tick case before on their MBII as well as their ALT1-B. Their watches all look deceptively simple from over top, but once you get a peak at the side you see that there is a lot going, with many expertly crafted parts. Rather than coming off of the mid-case, the lugs are their own piece, sculpted here out of titanium, while the mid-case is then a unique barrel. On the Oracle II it’s black DLCed with parallel lines encircling it, breaking up the surface and creating an enjoyable visual detail. The beautifully scalloped and finished lugs are a true standout feature of the watch, indicating the quality of the craftsmanship throughout.
The Supermarine version includes a bezel, a bolted on crown guard, a 2 o’clock crown an HEV and some extra beveling on the lugs, for a design that is somehow more robust and elegant than their standard case (ok, that’s subjective, but it’s my personal favorite case they make). As a watch that is meant for water, as it has a 500m WR, but is born of pilot’s DNA, it manages to capture both well. As I pointed out in the Beasts of the Deep, the Supermarines are amongst the dressiest of dive watches, since they manage to be graceful while tough.
The added details are really what makes the Supermarine case shine. The bezel is perfectly proportioned, not too thin, not too wide, and capped with an angled sapphire that flows near seamlessly into the domed crystal. The smooth top is attractive, but also functional as essentially the whole top surface of the case is near scratch proof. The mechanism is then a 120-click unidirectional type with precise action and a light click. When stationary, it has no wiggle at all for a solid feel.
The crown and crown guard are works of art. Starting with the latter, I love this solution to a crown guard. It’s a slab of metal with a ramped shape that has been bolted on the side. Because of the design of the DLC chassis, this allows for a point of contrast as well as some pleasantly technical little details, such as the 2 hex screw holding it in place. The crown then sits in a little alcove in the guard. The crown screws in, and has what appears to be a multi-part construction, though could be one-piece with some fancy finishing. It measure 7.4 x 5mm, and is tiered, with one section having your typical coin edging for grip, then a tier that is just a thin black line, and finally a cylinder of brushed steel with Bremont’s wings etched in the end. There’s just a lot great little things going on here from different colors to textures to the subtle ways they all mesh. I can get lost looking at it.
As with most of their other watches, the Oracle II has a bold diameter of 43mm with a lug-to-lug of 50mm and a height of 16.75mm to the top of the domed sapphire. The Oracle II/Supermarines come in a bit taller than their other watches, presumably because of the bezel, though the case backs seem quite thick as well. Needless to say, they aren’t watches for small wrists, and while I find them a touch large, after wearing it for a bit I did acclimate to the size. The use of titanium certainly adds to the comfort by dropping the weight a bit. It also adds to the overall look. The slightly darker color of the metal increases the appeal for me, and titanium seems to always hold a very sharp edge. The polished bevel on the lugs is a great example of this.
The post Bremont Oracle II Review appeared first on worn&wound.
Continue reading...
Let us know your thoughts and impressions.
Only a couple of months ago, Bremont announced a new partnership with the America’s Cup Event Authority and Oracle Team USA, serving as the Official Timing Partner of the 35th America’s Cup (yacht racing, but crazy high-tech ones that ride above the water). Following that, they released four watches in collaboration with their new patterns. Two classically inspired pieces called the American Cup series; a three-hander and chronograph, both of which hint at Marine chronometers. And two sport watches for the Oracle Team USA Series, based on their dive watch line, the Supermarines.
While they are all attractive in their own right, the Oracle II really stood out for me. Of the watches, it felt the most like a standalone model that would occupy a unique place in Bremont’s line up. It also riffed on a special edition from 2014 I was smitten with, the Terra Nova. Both feature titanium Supermarine cases and GMT movements. But while the Terra Nova was about hiking in extreme climates, the Oracle II is a more down to Earth dive watch. With styling that speaks to Bremonts other watches, but a dial that has its own, subtle character.
As with all Bremonts, the Oracle II is packed with features, some visible others not, particularly in the case construction. So, it goes without saying that it has a 500m WR, sapphire crystal with very effective AR, magnetic field protection, shock protection and one of Bremont’s chronometer movements. Dubbed the BE-93-2AE, it’s an COSC rated ETA 2893 that has been highly decorated, regulated and customized with Bremont’s moulded rotor. Coming in at $6,195, it’s an expensive watch, but in-line with Bremont’s typical pricing, and a true luxury sport watch.
Bremont Oracle II Review
Case: Titanium, mixed finishesMovement: BE-93-2AE/ ETA 2893
Dial: Matte black
Lume: BGW9
Lens: Sapphire crystal
Strap: Textile and leather
Water Res.: 500m
Dimensions: 43 x 50mm
Thickness: 16.75 mm
Lug Width: 22 mm
Crown: 7.4 x 5mm
Warranty: 3 years
Price: $6,195
Case
The Oracle II has essentially a titanium version of Bremont’s Supermarine case… which is basically a diver’s take on their exceptional Trip-Tick case design, and presumably the same case they used on last years Terra Nova LE. We’ve reviewed examples of their Trip-Tick case before on their MBII as well as their ALT1-B. Their watches all look deceptively simple from over top, but once you get a peak at the side you see that there is a lot going, with many expertly crafted parts. Rather than coming off of the mid-case, the lugs are their own piece, sculpted here out of titanium, while the mid-case is then a unique barrel. On the Oracle II it’s black DLCed with parallel lines encircling it, breaking up the surface and creating an enjoyable visual detail. The beautifully scalloped and finished lugs are a true standout feature of the watch, indicating the quality of the craftsmanship throughout.
The Supermarine version includes a bezel, a bolted on crown guard, a 2 o’clock crown an HEV and some extra beveling on the lugs, for a design that is somehow more robust and elegant than their standard case (ok, that’s subjective, but it’s my personal favorite case they make). As a watch that is meant for water, as it has a 500m WR, but is born of pilot’s DNA, it manages to capture both well. As I pointed out in the Beasts of the Deep, the Supermarines are amongst the dressiest of dive watches, since they manage to be graceful while tough.
The added details are really what makes the Supermarine case shine. The bezel is perfectly proportioned, not too thin, not too wide, and capped with an angled sapphire that flows near seamlessly into the domed crystal. The smooth top is attractive, but also functional as essentially the whole top surface of the case is near scratch proof. The mechanism is then a 120-click unidirectional type with precise action and a light click. When stationary, it has no wiggle at all for a solid feel.
The crown and crown guard are works of art. Starting with the latter, I love this solution to a crown guard. It’s a slab of metal with a ramped shape that has been bolted on the side. Because of the design of the DLC chassis, this allows for a point of contrast as well as some pleasantly technical little details, such as the 2 hex screw holding it in place. The crown then sits in a little alcove in the guard. The crown screws in, and has what appears to be a multi-part construction, though could be one-piece with some fancy finishing. It measure 7.4 x 5mm, and is tiered, with one section having your typical coin edging for grip, then a tier that is just a thin black line, and finally a cylinder of brushed steel with Bremont’s wings etched in the end. There’s just a lot great little things going on here from different colors to textures to the subtle ways they all mesh. I can get lost looking at it.
As with most of their other watches, the Oracle II has a bold diameter of 43mm with a lug-to-lug of 50mm and a height of 16.75mm to the top of the domed sapphire. The Oracle II/Supermarines come in a bit taller than their other watches, presumably because of the bezel, though the case backs seem quite thick as well. Needless to say, they aren’t watches for small wrists, and while I find them a touch large, after wearing it for a bit I did acclimate to the size. The use of titanium certainly adds to the comfort by dropping the weight a bit. It also adds to the overall look. The slightly darker color of the metal increases the appeal for me, and titanium seems to always hold a very sharp edge. The polished bevel on the lugs is a great example of this.
The post Bremont Oracle II Review appeared first on worn&wound.
Continue reading...
Let us know your thoughts and impressions.