Earlier this year, Bremont introduced a new approach to their Supernova collection with a 41mm chronograph featuring an integrated bracelet design, and a highly conceptual dial architecture. The new approach to the Supernova is meant to position the watch, and the brand, in a manner that aligns with the future of space travel (a topic recently covered here). To that end, Bremont will be sending one lucky Supernova to the moon via Astrolab’s FLIP (FLEX Lunar Innovation Platform) rover scheduled to land on the moon’s south pole sometime later this year as a part of Griffin Mission 1. Building on that same theme, Bremont is using the new Supernova Chronograph platform to showcase a second generation of their collaborative relationship with Stephen Hawking’s family.
The newest Supernova Chronograph retains the highly unique design of the watch introduced at Watches & Wonders, however there are a handful of special considerations that set this watch apart while honoring the late English theoretical astrophysicist, cosmologist, and author. Rather than use contrasting plates to reveal the recesses set into the top of the dial, the Hawking edition is uniform black, a nod to laws of black hole mechanics that Hawking was instrumental in defining. The dial further bears this out with Hawking’s name at the bottom of the dial, which is joined by a simplification of the black hole entropy equation resulting from Jacob Bekenstein and Hawking’s work together.
The work of Hawking and Bekenstein proved that black holes do indeed obey the laws of thermodynamics, and possess thermal properties. The black hole entropy equation shows that the entropy of a black hole (represented by ‘S’) is defined by its surface area, and not its volume (given that the black hole is at equilibrium). As written on the dial here, it involves Boltzmann’s constant (represented by ‘K’), the speed of light in a vacuum ( represented by ‘c’), and the surface area of the black hole’s event horizon (represented by ‘A’) over Newton’s gravitational constant (represented by ‘G’), and a reduced Planck’s constant (represented by the ‘ℏ’). The upshot is that black holes essentially leak thermal radiation and eventually evaporate at the end of their lives. Entropy increases, and the laws of thermodynamics remain satisfied.
Pretty cool stuff, and seeing it boiled down here as an equation written on the dial of a watch feels slightly strange, but if it inspires a bit of curiosity from any who encounter it, then well worth it. Building on the theme further, and in a much broader sense, we also find pieces of meteorite backing each of the sub dials at three and nine o’clock. However, their inclusion takes away from the highly focused nature of the Hawking theme set around understanding black holes. The use of meteorite as ‘something else that’s also in space’ robs the power of the Hawking connection just a touch if you ask me, but I do think they provide some welcome contrast speaking purely on an aesthetic level.
The rest of the watch falls into more grounded territory. The steel 41mm case has been given a DLC black coating and hosts a black ceramic bezel ring. This houses a chronometer rated automatic caliber BC77AC (base Sellita SW500) which is visible through a trick exhibition back with the appearance of a black hole inspired graphic. The watch can be had on a full DLC steel bracelet, or a quick release rubber strap. The case measures 14.4mm in thickness, and 48.7mm from end to end. The lack of any real curves here mean that comfort will likely boil down to the shape of your wrist.
The Bremont Supernova Hawking is limited to 600 units, and is priced from $8,850 on rubber, and $9,150 on a steel bracelet. Bremont
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