Verdict: The 2020 Bremont MBII-BK/JET reviewed by Max Langridge is a substantial 43 mm automatic aviation watch with a hardened-steel case, soft-iron magnetic shielding, a shock-reducing floating construction, 100 m water resistance and a date display. Langridge found it comfortable for a week of daily wear, including its two crowns, but his experience is personal rather than a guarantee that every wrist will suit the size. The $6,800 price attached to that review is historical, and the current Martin-Baker collection page does not establish that the same MBII configuration is still in production or in stock.
What the one-week Bremont MBII review actually covers
Max Langridge’s DMARGE review was published on June 30, 2020 and updated October 5, 2024. It concerns the standard 2020 MBII-BK/JET configuration, not a newly tested watch or a current retail quotation. Langridge wore the watch for a week and reported on its comfort, wrist presence and handling. Those observations should be read as one journalist’s experience.
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The watch itself is the public MBII rather than the pilot-restricted MBI. The reviewed model has a 43 mm case, black, white or blue dial options, a date-only display, twin crowns, an internal Roto-Click bezel, a domed sapphire crystal and 100 m water resistance. Its movement is Bremont’s BE-36AE, identified in the review as based on the ETA 2836-2.
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| Specification | 2020 MBII-BK/JET review configuration | What Bremont’s family technical notes say |
|---|---|---|
| Case diameter | 43 mm | Notes discussed by the review and technical documentation cover the MBI/MBII family; the reviewed model is 43 mm. |
| Case material | B-EBE2000 hardened stainless steel | Hardened-steel construction with an inner iron case and floating cage described for the MB design. |
| Movement | BE-36AE, based on ETA 2836-2 | 25 jewels, 28,800 beats per hour and 38-hour power reserve. |
| Display | Date only, with the date window at the 3 o’clock position | Family notes describe day and date; this is a generation/configuration difference, not a contradiction to the 2020 review. |
| Crystal | Domed sapphire | Technical notes specify anti-reflective sapphire crystal. |
| Water resistance | 100 m | 100 m / 10 ATM. |
| Strap width | Not stated in the review configuration itself | Bremont says 22 mm straps fit 43 mm and 45 mm cases; confirm the individual watch before buying an accessory. |
How the MBII case is built
Three-layer construction
The visible exterior is silver-colored hardened stainless steel. A black middle barrel separates it from an inner iron case. Bremont’s MB construction uses that soft-iron inner case for magnetic shielding, while a patented floating cage is intended to reduce the transfer of shocks to the movement. These are design claims and engineering features; they are not an invitation to reproduce Martin-Baker ejection-seat testing or to treat the watch as indestructible.
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Bezel and crowns
The 2020 redesign uses Bremont’s Roto-Click inner bezel and two crowns. The internal bezel keeps the timing scale inside the crystal rather than exposing it on a conventional external rotating ring. Langridge specifically expected the twin crowns to press into his hand, but says they did not cause the discomfort he anticipated.
Crystal, water resistance and caseback
The review lists a domed sapphire crystal and 100 m water resistance. Bremont’s technical notes list 100 m/10 ATM and anti-reflective sapphire for the documented family. An open caseback was an optional choice on the reviewed watch; it was not necessarily fitted to every MBII-BK/JET.
Dial, hands and movement
The 2020 date-only layout
The 2020 MBII redesign replaced the earlier day-date arrangement with a date-only display. Langridge describes sword-style hands and a date aperture where the numeral 3 would otherwise sit. The review identifies black, white and blue dial choices. If you encounter an older MBII listing with both day and date, that reflects an earlier configuration rather than the exact watch discussed in the review.
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BE-36AE performance information
The BE-36AE is described as being based on the ETA 2836-2. The review and Bremont’s technical notes give 25 jewels, a frequency of 28,800 beats per hour and a 38-hour power reserve. Those figures describe the documented movement family; they do not constitute a timing-accuracy test of the particular watch Langridge wore.
What wearing the 43 mm MBII felt like
Langridge says the leather strap molded to his wrist and that the watch remained comfortable over a week. He also reports that the twin crowns did not dig into his hand. His conclusion was conditional: if a wearer is not put off by the 43 mm case, the 2020 MBII can be a comfortable daily watch.
That qualification matters. A 43 mm pilot watch occupies more horizontal space than a conventional 40 or 41 mm everyday watch, and Langridge says those smaller diameters are a more manageable ideal for some wearers. The article does not provide lug-to-lug length, thickness or a measurement of the reviewer’s wrist, so those dimensions should be checked with a seller before ordering.
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A practical fit check
- Measure the diameter of a watch you already wear comfortably and compare it with 43 mm.
- Check the MBII’s lug span and thickness in the specific listing; those dimensions are not established by the week-long review.
- Consider where the crowns sit relative to the back of your hand, especially if you wear a watch on your dominant wrist.
- Ask whether the supplied strap can be exchanged. A different strap can alter the way a large case sits, but it cannot make the case physically smaller.
Configurations and historical prices
The following figures come from the 2020 article and are not current Bremont quotations. Availability of each option should be confirmed directly with Bremont or an authorized retailer.
| Item | Historical figure in the review | Qualification |
|---|---|---|
| Reviewed MBII-BK/JET configuration | $6,800 | DMARGE article-reported price in 2020; not a current quote. |
| Titanium barrel | $130 additional | Historical option charge. |
| Black DLC case | $265 additional over the base | Historical option charge. |
| Open caseback | $200 additional | Historical option charge. |
| Stainless-steel bracelet | $650 additional | Historical option charge. |
The same review used the IWC Schaffhausen Pilot’s Watch Mark XVIII as a 2020 comparison, listing $6,550 for the 40 mm IWC against $6,800 for the MBII. That was a dated comparison of then-available watches. It should not be treated as a current ranking, price comparison or recommendation without checking the present models and specifications.
Where the MBII fits in Bremont’s current Martin-Baker range
Bremont’s current Martin-Baker collection information distinguishes the models by access: the MBI is limited to pilots who have ejected using a Martin-Baker seat, while the MBII and MBIII have been offered to the public. The same collection page now displays MB Meteor variants inspired by the original MB design.
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That update does not prove that the 2020 MBII-BK/JET has been discontinued, nor does it prove that a particular dial, barrel or caseback option is available. Treat any listing as a specific-stock question: establish the reference, production status, warranty paperwork, seller authorization and return terms before paying.
How to check a used or new MBII listing
- Identify the exact reference. Confirm whether the seller is offering MBII-BK/JET or another MBII generation. Date-only and day-date displays may indicate different versions.
- Match the case and movement details. Look for the 43 mm case, BE-36AE designation or the movement information supplied for that reference. Ask for photographs of the dial, caseback, crowns and serial markings.
- Verify condition. Inspect the hardened-steel exterior, black barrel, crystal and crown operation. Scratches, damaged threads or moisture evidence can change the service cost substantially.
- Confirm what is included. Check whether the watch has its original leather strap, bracelet, optional open caseback, boxes, papers and warranty documentation.
- Ask about service history. Bremont recommends a full service every three to five years. A seller should state when the last service occurred and provide supporting records where possible.
- Use an authorized route when practical. Bremont directs owners to an authorized retailer, boutique or Bremont service centre for service and warranty matters. Confirm the route for your country before completing the purchase.
Changing the strap and choosing accessories
Bremont’s strap FAQ says 22 mm straps fit its 43 mm and 45 mm cases. The company’s MBII strap-change tutorial uses the forked end of a watch tool to compress the spring bar, remove the old strap and install the replacement. Work over a soft, clear surface so a released spring bar cannot scratch the case or disappear.
- Protect the lugs with tape or a thin barrier if you are unfamiliar with spring-bar tools.
- Use the forked tool end to depress the spring-bar shoulder through the lug opening.
- Release one side, then the other, without levering against the crystal or polished surfaces.
- Seat the replacement strap and tug each side gently to confirm that both spring bars have locked.
The 22 mm guidance is a case-size rule, not proof that every third-party strap has the right taper, thickness or spring-bar clearance. Verify those dimensions against the actual MBII and avoid forcing a strap that does not seat cleanly.
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Warranty and long-term ownership
Bremont’s warranty policy states that standard watches receive a three-year warranty against manufacturing defects, subject to eligibility and documentation requirements. Straps and clasps are excluded, and separate terms apply to ENG300 products. The policy directs customers to an authorized retailer, boutique or Bremont service centre. A full service every three to five years is the company’s stated maintenance guidance.
Keep the purchase documents and ask the service centre which warranty terms apply to your region and model. Water resistance is not permanent: seals age, and a watch that has been opened, struck or exposed to moisture deserves inspection before further wear around water.
Who the MBII suits—and who should pass
It makes sense if you want
- A purpose-built aviation design rather than a compact dress or field watch.
- A 43 mm case with layered hardened steel, an iron magnetic shield and a floating shock-reduction cage.
- An automatic movement with a date display, 38-hour reserve and 28,800-beat frequency.
- The visual choices of black, white or blue dials and the option of a bracelet or other historically offered configurations.
Look elsewhere if you need
- A 40–41 mm case or a compact fit; the reviewed watch is 43 mm, and the article does not establish smaller MBII dimensions.
- A guaranteed current price or easy access to the 2020 configuration; neither is established by the review.
- A day-date display specifically; the reviewed redesign is date-only, while family documentation covers day and date.
- A watch whose shock and magnetic features can be treated as a substitute for normal mechanical-watch care.
Bottom line on the one-week MBII experience
The 2020 MBII-BK/JET combines a distinctive Martin-Baker-derived construction with a conventional, serviceable automatic base. Its 43 mm size is the decisive fit question. Langridge’s week on the wrist suggests that the leather strap and twin-crown layout can be comfortable despite the diameter, but his result cannot predict every wearer’s experience. Buy or evaluate one by exact reference, current availability, condition and service support—not by the historical $6,800 figure alone.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
