Finally a *very* cool Bremont - 21 SAS Regiment (Artists) (Reserve)
Got chatting with a colleague in the canteen yesterday. I noticed he was wearing a Bremont. Normally I don't get very excited by Bremont but my colleague said something about this watch being a bit special. The 21 at 12 o’clock and the Greek gods image on the front were unusual so I asked him about it. He said - "Turn it over". On the case back was an SAS winged dagger symbol with a unique troop number. It turns out he was in SAS Reserves for 10 years. The Greek gods image on the front is of Mars & Minerva - the cap badge of The Artists Rifles now known as 21 Special Air Service Regiment (Artists) (Reserve) or 21 SAS (R) for short. For US Crunchers, the SAS was founded in WW2 and was the first special forces unit upon which Delta Force, SEALs etc was based. TV Adventurer Bear Grylls was in 21 SAS (R). Unfortunately my colleague wouldn't let me photograph the case back - you'll just have to take my word for it. My guess is that the SAS association adds £10-£15k to the value of the watch.
Schnauzers, Allotment, Horology, Kubernetes
Wow, genuinely doesn't get cooler than that!! 😎👍👍
Also, don't get on his bad side 😂😂
Wow!!!
I once worked with a guy who was a former Seal Team-6 guy. I didn't know it at the time. I just knew that he had been in the Navy. Really nice guy. But, at one point, I asked, "Oh, what did you do in the Navy?"
His response: "I killed people."
Me...
Very cool story.👌🏻
The SAS are some of the OG #operators.
Thank your colleague for his service. 🤘🏻🤙🏻
Love seeing unit watches. It's one thing I wish would come back from yesteryear. Not just military, but any organization, giving customized watches to members, or allowing them to purchase. Granted that would be a costly endeavor these days.
Just shown your Bremont pic to one of my colleagues - ex SAS - and his response:
'Nah, never seen it guv' 😜
Old habits die hard.
Yeah, I think those guys were from 22 SAS which is the active duty regiment who do most of the special operations. Great film on Netflix about the Iranian Embassy assault called 6 Days which you should check out.
Just shown your Bremont pic to one of my colleagues - ex SAS - and his response:
'Nah, never seen it guv' 😜
Old habits die hard.
Likely different regiment in the SAS and/or different era. Who knows. Rolex, Tudors and Omegas have well known associations with different SF organisations around the world, including the SAS and SBS. Looks like Bremont does too… I still wouldn’t buy one, though.
I knew a few SAS dudes when I used to live in Sandhurst, professionals all around who usually rocked Tudors or Rolex Explorer II’s so this Bremont is a gem
I knew a few SAS dudes when I used to live in Sandhurst, professionals all around who usually rocked Tudors or Rolex Explorer II’s so this Bremont is a gem
Very cool. Yup, this dude’s a gent too. Very unassuming. I've known him for 2 years but he's never mentioned his service history before. I guess its one of those things you're encouraged not to talk about.
Very cool. Yup, this dude’s a gent too. Very unassuming. I've known him for 2 years but he's never mentioned his service history before. I guess its one of those things you're encouraged not to talk about.
He's probably got a lot of great stories. Which he can't tell.
I've got a lot of time for Bremont. I met Nick English at the opening of their Manchester boutique, and he's a great guy. Their watches are really well put together. Just hanging on for one that fits me well. All the ones I like tend to be a little big for me.
I love the 21 on the dial, a really subtle nod to say the watch is special other than just the case back having the inscription
I love the 21 on the dial, a really subtle nod to say the watch is special other than just the case back having the inscription
The Artist Rifles cap badge is a awesome too. The regiment was originally formed by soldiers who were painters, architects, poets, sculptors, musicians, and actors in 1859. They evolved into the 21st Special Air Service (21 SAS) in 1947 due to the unit's exceptional performance during World War II.
I've got a lot of time for Bremont. I met Nick English at the opening of their Manchester boutique, and he's a great guy. Their watches are really well put together. Just hanging on for one that fits me well. All the ones I like tend to be a little big for me.
The company leans heavily into country of origin branding presumably to differentiate itself from continental European brands and possibly make up for their lack of real heritage. Unfortunately the strength of this positioning has definite “Make Britain Great Again” vibes for me. That said, it’s an undeniably well put together, attractive watch which, although not cheap, is competitively priced.
The company leans heavily into country of origin branding presumably to differentiate itself from continental European brands and possibly make up for their lack of real heritage. Unfortunately the strength of this positioning has definite “Make Britain Great Again” vibes for me. That said, it’s an undeniably well put together, attractive watch which, although not cheap, is competitively priced.
Your political bias is showing.
Your political bias is showing.
I think it's the other way round. Bremont leans heavily into country of origin branding (which is increasingly political) rather than design or movement innovation (which is apolitical). I choose the latter... but all of that said, I thought this watch was cool because of what it meant to my colleague and the story it told about him.
I think it's the other way round. Bremont leans heavily into country of origin branding (which is increasingly political) rather than design or movement innovation (which is apolitical). I choose the latter... but all of that said, I thought this watch was cool because of what it meant to my colleague and the story it told about him.
Icon checks out, too.
Icon checks out, too.
Yeah, man. Its super cool. If it was just the flying dagger on the back with "Who Dares Wins" I'd think it was a little suspect. But the 21 at 12 o'clock and the Apollo/Minerva icon used by a long disbanded regiment that became the 21 SAS (R) is such a deep cut that I'm sure its real. Fakes don't get that idiosyncratic.
It's got the winged dagger on the back, with the typical level of Bremont 'quality', at least it' raised and your number is there too.
Because no-one has a scooby what the little logo means, it flies. You'd would never find a legit winged dagger on the dial these days - and if you do - it's a sure tell it's not a special order from inside regiment.
These don't have the value you would expect, they have made it out for sale several times - good for city boys in London to pick up and use on tinder dates. Would get change from 3k.
Far better to remain in original owner hands than try to sell.
As a person who loves 24-hour watches, this throws me off a little