Launched alongside its Jaguar C-Type model, Bremont’s other new addition to its Motorsports collection is a limited edition chronograph built in partnership with Williams Racing. Unveiled to coincide with the 77th Formula 1 Grand Prix at Silverstone, this exciting watch showcases the best of British watchmaking and honours the nation’s automotive heritage. While TAG Heuer has recently celebrated the Swiss watchmaker’s links to the Monaco Grand Prix, Bremont is eager to pay tribute to the best of British engineering. The Bremont WR-45 was designed with input from Williams and marks three years of collaboration between the two brands. And get this, the watch even comes with a genuine wheel nut from a Williams racing car.
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The overlap between motorsports and precision watchmaking is obvious and the world of watches is filled with iconic pieces inspired by the race track. Whether it’s Rolex’s legendary Daytona chronograph or more recent DEFY Extreme E model from Zenith, watch enthusiasts love the compelling mix of watches and cars. It makes sense. There’s a similarity in the technology used and as Williams Team Principal James Vowle notes, “The synergies between motor racing and high-end watchmaking are clear”.
With that in mind, the Bremont WR-45 was built in tribute to Williams’ 2023 FW-45 car and takes design cues from this Formula 1 beast. Like a sports car, it’s designed to combine high performance with extreme durability – after all, Bremont’s slogan is Tested Beyond Endurance.
It’s a chunky piece with a 43mm DLC coated case and features Bremont’s distinctive three-piece construction. As you’d expect, there’s an all-important tachymeter bezel and three chronograph sub-dials. The black case, bezel and dial give the WR-45 a tool watch vibe and this is reinforced by a strap fashioned from Alcantara – a material historically used on steering wheels.
There are still touches of colour, with the flashes of electric blue and red mimicking the colour palette used to decorate Williams cars. Those colourful accents certainly add to the watch’s appeal and there’s more colour on the back. The exhibition back displays Bremont’s BE-53AV automatic movement that sports a black rotor decorated with the Williams Racing Team’s logo.
It’s been 77 years since Silverstone hosted the first-ever Formula 1 world championship race, and since then Williams has finished on the podium 244 times. Fittingly, the Bremont WR-45 is limited to 244 pieces, with each watch hand assembled to order. The watch is priced at GBP £5,795. And yes, it really does come with a wheel nut certified by Williams.
Bremont WR-45 Limited Edition
Diameter: 43mm
Height: 16mm
Case: DLC Treated Stainless Steel
Movement: Modified Calibre 13 1/4’’’ BE-53AV
Strap: Black Alcantara
Water Resistance: 100M
Price: GBP £5,795
