MBII

The MBII is Bremont's pilot GMT, built around their Trip-Tick three-part case and named for Martin-Baker, the company that makes ejection seats. At 43mm it wears large but purposefully so, with a black dial designed for legibility over elegance. This is a tool watch with a genuine story behind the name.

What it is

Bremont launched the MB collection in partnership with Martin-Baker, the British firm whose ejection seats have saved over 7,500 lives since World War II. The founders Nick and Giles English had a personal connection to aviation after losing their father in a light aircraft crash, which shaped the brand's direction toward serious pilot watches. The MBII added a GMT complication to the lineup, making it the more travel-capable sibling.

Anyone who has actually used a Martin-Baker ejection seat is eligible to join the Ejector Seat Club and receive a special strap from Bremont, which gives the watch a community no other brand can replicate. Production has continued since 2009 with incremental updates but a consistent overall character.

Buying notes

The BE-36AE is a modified ETA 2836-2, which is a solid movement but not an in-house caliber despite Bremont's marketing language around their "BE" designation. Early examples have shown some quality control variation at the case finishing level, so examine any used example closely around the Trip-Tick joins. The GMT hand setting requires pulling the crown to a specific position, and some owners find the crown action less refined than Swiss competitors at this price point.

At 43mm the watch runs large on smaller wrists and the lug-to-lug is worth measuring before buying. Bremont's resale values have softened relative to their retail prices, so buying new carries more depreciation risk than buying used.

Market read

Used MBII examples trade well below retail, which makes the secondary market the sensible entry point. Prices have stabilized but not recovered to early-2020s levels, so buyers have real selection at fair prices. Condition and box-and-papers matter more than usual here because the collector base is particular about presentation.

Service expectations

The BE-36AE is based on the ETA 2836-2, so any watchmaker comfortable with ETA movements can service it. Bremont offers factory service, but independent service on this caliber is widely available and typically less expensive. Standard service intervals of five to seven years apply.