Earlier this year, Bremont, under the now-not-so-new management of Davide Cerrato, unveiled the hotly anticipated “new” version of their iconic Martin-Baker collaboration, the Altitude MB Meteor, and an evolved and upscaled version of the iconic MBII, which stayed true to that model’s identity, while losing some of its 2010s-era tool watch chunkiness.

At launch, Bremont stuck to the core models, black and silver dials on a range of straps, but clearly the Meteor was going to be a model ripe for innovative executions — and the we’re getting the first look at that today with the Altitude MB Meteor Stealth Grey, a smart looking design that really sets the tone for the future of this collection.

The Bremont Altitude MB Meteor Stealth Grey is a limited edition of 400 pieces that takes the utilitarian personality of the Meteor and gives it a sleek and (as the name suggests) stealthy makeover. The trip-tick case, bracelet and even the heavily knurled twin crowns are in grade 2 titanium, with a matt, softly textured finish that evokes the finish of radar-absorbing stealth technology, and feels perfectly at home on this pilot’s watch, still made in partnership with the ejection seat manufacturer Martin Baker.

The stealthy grey look and feel continues onto the dial of the watch, and it’s here where things start getting really interesting. In case astronomy isn’t your thing, technically a meteor is a “shooting star”, the flaming glowing rock that you get when a rock from space hits earth’s atmosphere and burns up (it’s also the name of an early jet fighter, and only four are still operational, and two of them are used by Martin Baker as test aircraft, hence the link).  Meanwhile, a meteorite is any fragments of that space rock that make it to Earth. In watches, we’re familiar with meteorite dials, especially the distinctive patterns that slowly form in the typically nickel and iron-heavy alloys. They look exactly like the patterns on this dial, except — fun fact — this dial isn’t quite a meteorite dial. Rather, it’s a traditional brass dial that has been stamped with an accurate scan from a meteorite. It’s a clever way of achieving the visual impact of meteorite while still offering a sturdy dial that’s well-equipped to handle shocks. In addition to the dial texture, Bremont has kept things quite monochrome, with only a few red highlights (the “Danger” red triangle that is a staple of Martin Baker collabs) and the iconic lollipop-style seconds hand, with a counterweight shaped like an ejection seat pull handle.

Other things to note are the internal bezel, still using the roto-click system (and much easier to operate thanks to the new crown design), as well as the rubber movement mount, which provides improved shock resistance. Speaking of the movement, the Altitude MB Meteor Stealth Grey uses a modified LJP automatic, visible through an open case back, and finished in gunmetal grey, to match the overall aesthetic.

The Bremont Altitude MB Meteor Stealth Grey is a compelling example of what we can expect from the future of the “new” Martin Baker watch, elevated in its approach, but fundamentally unchanged.

Tech Specs: Bremont Altitude MB Meteor Stealth Grey

Movement: Self-winding BB14-AH caliber (Le Joux Perret base); 68-hour power reserve
Functions: Hours and minutes; central seconds; date
Case: 42mm × 12.23mm; Grade 2 titanium; bi-directional Roto-Click inner bezel; water-resistant to 100m
Dial: Gray reverse-embossed meteorite texture
Strap: Sandblasted titanium bracelet with quick release
Availability: Limited to 400 pieces