Introducing the Limited Edition Bremont H-4 Hercules Watch

Bremont are launching a new limited edition chronometer called the H-4 Hercules in honour of its legendary inventor Howard Hughes. 

Earlier this week I had the distinct pleasure of attending the V&A Museum to witness the launch and hear from the co-founder himself, Nick English. 

What is so special about the H-4 Hercules?

Maybe you've seen the film The Aviator with Leonardo Di Caprio. This is the one he didn't crash. It's an audacious aircraft made almost entirely of birch. With the exception of engine fittings and hydraulics. It was a project that nearly sunk Hughes and he was quoted as saying, 'I've wrapped my life in this thing. If it’s a failure I'll pack my bags and leave this country, and I mean it.' 

I truly recommend you watch this YouTube video on the history of the Hercules and also catch the movie The Aviator.

On the historical plane, Nick English said, “Giles (Brother and co-founder) and I have been fascinated by the story of the H-4 Hercules since childhood. The sheer ambition of building an aircraft on that scale using wood is remarkable.

The Hercules is a true engineering triumph that pushed the boundaries of aeronautical design. It paved the way for the large aircraft we use today, and did it with style, panache and just a dash of Hollywood.”

How about the watch itself? 

Limited to just 300 stainless steel, 75 rose gold and 75 platinum pieces, the Bremont H-4 Hercules is a sublime fusion of micro-engineering, watch design and aviation history.

The 25 jewel Bremont BWC/02 movement is based on the original proprietary automatic BWC/01 calibre built in partnership with movement house, La Joux Perret, and is housed in a beautifully finished 43mm case. 

The new slate grey coloured BWC/02 movement has GMT functionality, along with hours, minutes, a smaller non-hacking seconds hand at 9 o’clock and the date at 6 o’clock.