When the internal combustion engine came to fruition in the 19th century, it didn’t take long for motoring enthusiasts to start pitting themselves against one another. With the creation of motorsport came the need for accurate timekeeping, and those with the need for speed have been pushing the development of watchmaking ever since.
B.R.M (Bernard Richards Manufacture) have a particularly close affiliation with racing, taking inspiration from automotive technology and mechanical engineering in their formidable collections. For over 25 years, Bernard Richards has combined his passion for racing with the family business of watchmaking, and his team now produce 2,000 pieces every year in a manufacture in northwestern France.
With motorsport insignia emblazoned on straps and cases and the prevalence of high-tech lightweight materials, B.R.M make no secret of their infatuation with racing. The V14-44, for example, features a titanium case etched with a chequered flag design, high visibility chronograph dials, and numerals that could have been taken straight from the side of a 1960s racer. Under the bonnet you’ll find an exceptional Swiss-made Valjoux 7753 automatic calibre that can be viewed in all its glory through a clear caseback.
Lightness is equally as important as power in the world of motorsport, a fact that is reflected in the V6-44-SPORT-AR Skeleton watch. Its stripped-back ‘skeleton’ dial reveals the beautiful automatic movement beneath, while the black leather strap is perforated with large holes to imitate racing engineering. Painstaking attention to detail is evident throughout: the ‘super light’ hands were specially constructed by B.R.M and even the assembly screws within take twelve times longer to fit than most other watches.
Proving that they’re not just petrolheads, B.R.M also offer a range that takes inspiration from the world of aviation. The Bomber Collection harks back to the mid-20th century with classic US air force motifs, hands styled like old-fashioned propellers and even compasses on the dials.
B.R.M also offer a bespoke service via an online configurator, giving customers the ability to create a completely unique piece with over 12,000 options and variations.
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