Chaps,

As stated in the subject line, the RAF chinook force is commissioning a 40th anniversary watch. I’m creating this thread to canvass and indulge your discerning opinions on which piece to choose, and why? The contenders are the Tudor Pelagos, Breitling SuperOcean Heritage II and Bremont Boeing 247.

We would have loved to add an Omega to the mix but it appears they will not run private editions any longer. Well, perhaps they do but they haven’t responded to our enquiries. Does anyone have any inside information on this?

The designs on the Tudor and Breitling are not finalized as yet. However, we will be shrinking the chinook motifs down to at least half size. The chinook design spec for the Bremont hasn’t been issued yet. As well as watch choice, I’m very happy to take any aftermarket design critiques. I know after-blinging isn’t everyone’s cup of tea (it really isn’t mine) but we need to make certain nods to the 40th anniversary on the dial.

Without further ado:

 

If You can arrange for Tudor then that would be my choice
Good luck

 

Tudor by a wide margin.

 

I leaned that way but the Brietling has a better history with flight and the UK.

I like the superocean, cleaner look also.

 

modifying/shrinking the motifs as stated might make the Breitling more appealing (to me).

 

I'd go for the Tudor personally; although for me the rotors on the Chinook would interfere with reading the seconds hand on both it and the Breitling... unless it's possible to change its colour?

 

We have quite a lot of latitude with design. We can change the colour of the chinook and shrink it so the blades do not interfere with the indices. I’m good with either the Tudor or Breitling, though I’m leaning slightly more towards the SuperOcean, for reasons Foo mentioned. Plus, I like it’s vintage, but not overly vintage, vibe.

It seems we don’t rate the Bremont too highly. For me, it wears to thick with the Chrono movement.

Here’s a shot of the SuperOcean on leather. I say!

 

Another 40 years thing: https://masterhorologer.com/2019/03/21/oris-big-crown-propilot-40th-squadron-limited-edition/

 

I know you have a brief, but if the only choice of emblem is the helicopter, I would want it engraved on the case back. It has too much detail to fit on the dial without being clumsy. I assume this will be for more than one squadron so only the Chinook design is appropriate?

On the choice of watches, the Bremont seems more suitable for a pilot than the 2 divers?

 

I started up a thread about Bremont on here yesterday; doesn't seem that there are many who rate them at all!

 

That sounds like a fun project. There is another alternative that may not have been on your radar:-

https://www.christopherward.eu/cservices/watch-commissions

A C65 Trident GMT would make a great base model, or maybe the C9 tweaked to give you the twin rotors?

 

I’ve fought that battle and lost. The boys want the chinook clearly placed on the dial. My preference was to leave the dial plain but for ‘RAF Chinook Force’ replacing one of the original text lines. Anyway, it is what it is. But you are right that Bremont is more of a pilot’s watch. But Bremont has done many, many sqn issues and we’re looking for something more unique.

Speedyphil, thanks for the link. Will check it out!

Ben, I know. People are like marmite with Bremont. Personally, I’m a fan.

 

What do guys think of Vertex? I think this would be a lovely Sqn watch with a nice military pedigree.

 

+1

 

RE Omega, they did work with a retailer to design/ sell the #PCA LE speedmaster a couple years ago. That only had 99 units. I suspect the key was the the relationship between that retailer and Omega. If you have any interest in pursuing I can dig up their info. The downside was the watch was sold at a fairly large premium to the DSOTM reference it was based on. -- largely due to that person getting a nice cut.

 

I like the Tudor or the Bremont. Bremont perhaps too thick as mentioned but a nice look. One of the better Bremonts IMO. Why not contact Sinn? Don't know if they offer this service but they have some nice chronos. Or Stowa?

 

Out of interest, what do the RAF issue you with? Is it a CWC quartz chronograph as I suppose that would be similar to the Bremont and I suppose you'd really want a chronograph?

Great project and good luck with it.

Cheers, Chris

 

For me (as I'm not a fan of Tudor or that Breitling model), I'd go with a Bremont ALT1-C as the base model. The original CH-47 Bremont incorporating the rotors into two of the subdials was excellent. Ultimately the question needs to be asked of the potential buyers and I'm sure it is. Good luck.

 

I agree Sinn would be worth considering, perhaps this 103, specifically designed for pilots and a nice bit of space on the dial for that design

https://www.sinn.de/en/Modell/103_Ti_UTC_IFR.pdf

 

I echo the question as to why use dive watches as the base? Since Breitling have an aviation link, have you considered the Navitimer 8 three-hander (Automatic 41) as the based watch? Other than that, I think a Sinn would be a nicer choice than the three contenders you listed.