Bremont Felix the Cat: A Military-Spec Pilot's Watch

A cartoon cat on the dial of a serious, military-grade pilot’s watch is an odd pairing. Yet, that’s exactly what Bremont has delivered with the Altitude MB Meteor 'Felix the Cat' edition. This isn't a whimsical novelty piece; it's a hardcore tool watch with a surprising nod to aviation history. Felix the Cat has been a good luck charm for U.S. Navy aviation squadrons for a century. He was the mascot for fighter squadrons like VF-31, "The Tomcatters." This watch taps into that authentic heritage, combining Bremont’s robust engineering with a piece of genuine military culture. This limited edition of 500 pieces is built on the brand’s legendary Martin-Baker (MB) platform. That means it’s designed to survive the violent forces of a fighter jet ejection. So while the dial might feature a famous cat, the watch itself is all business. View Collection on Brand

Built to Eject: The Bremont Altitude MB Meteor 'Felix The Cat'

Let's get the specs out of the way, because they tell the real story. The case is a 42mm, three-piece "Trip-Tick" design crafted from Grade 2 titanium. It’s finished in a stealthy black DLC (Diamond-Like Carbon) coating, making it incredibly light and scratch-resistant. The case construction itself is classic Bremont. The main lug structure is separate from the PVD-coated titanium barrel. This not only gives it a distinct look but also adds to its durability. The dimensions—42mm in diameter, 49.3mm lug-to-lug, and 12.23mm thick—suggest a modern but wearable tool watch. Inside is where the Martin-Baker DNA really shines. The movement is housed within a protective anti-shock mount. Surrounding that is an inner soft iron Faraday cage to shield the caliber from magnetic fields. These are features born from extreme testing, not marketing meetings.

A Dial That Balances Fun and Function

The dial is matte black, maximizing legibility. Applied numerals and indexes are generously filled with white Super-LumiNova that glows blue in the dark. You get the sense that every design choice was made with clarity as the top priority. Then you see the cat. Felix is cheekily integrated, running away with the number 6. It’s a playful touch, but it doesn't overwhelm the dial's purpose. The yellow accents, like the pullcord tail of the iconic MB seconds hand, are direct references to the loop on an ejection seat handle, contrasting sharply with its red lollipop tip. The second crown at 4 o'clock operates the internal bi-directional bezel. Bremont’s "Roto-Click" mechanism gives the bezel a satisfying, tactile feel with precise clicks. It’s another example of the over-engineering that defines the MB series.

The View from the Back

Turning the watch over reveals a DLC-coated titanium open case back. The sapphire crystal is decorated with Felix the Cat, a detail that adds to the limited edition's character. You can see the gunmetal gray finishing and Geneva stripes on the BB14 movement within. This model comes on a matching DLC-coated titanium bracelet with a quick-release system. This is a huge practical upgrade, making strap changes easy without tools. The watch head alone weighs just 53.29 grams, so on the titanium bracelet, it should be exceptionally comfortable. Ultimately, this is a Bremont MB first and a Felix the Cat watch second. It packages elite engineering and authentic aviation history into a package that doesn't take itself too seriously. It’s a tough watch with a bit of a smirk.

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A Different Take: The Pop Art Approach

Bremont isn’t the only brand to feature the famous cat. A few years ago, Bamford London released its own Felix the Cat GMT. It serves as a fascinating contrast in philosophy and execution, showing a completely different way to approach a character watch. Where the Bremont is a tool watch with character art, the Bamford was more of a pop art piece that tells time. It featured a more graphic, cartoon-forward design. Felix's arms served as the hour and minute hands, a classic design trope for character watches.

Style vs. Substance

The Bamford was housed in a 40mm steel case and powered by a reliable Sellita SW330-2 automatic GMT movement. It was a perfectly capable watch, but its identity was driven by its bold, stylized aesthetic rather than overbuilt engineering. Its focus was squarely on design and collaboration. Bremont’s approach is fundamentally different. The watch’s identity is rooted in its technical bona fides: the ejection-seat testing, the Trip-Tick case, the anti-shock and anti-magnetic systems. The Felix character is an addition to this robust platform, not the reason for its existence. This highlights two valid paths for a collaboration. One is design-led, creating a wearable piece of art. The other is engineering-led, adding a layer of personality to an already high-spec machine. Bremont firmly chose the latter, and the watch is better for it.

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The Final Word on the Bremont Felix

The Bremont Altitude MB Meteor 'Felix the Cat' succeeds because it respects its own identity. It doesn't compromise its tool-watch principles for the sake of the collaboration. It remains a tough, legible, and technically impressive pilot's watch from top to bottom. For collectors who appreciate Bremont's "Tested Beyond Endurance" philosophy, this watch offers something unique. It’s a chance to own a piece of the brand's toughest collection with a direct and authentic link to the long-standing traditions of military aviation. It’s a serious watch that knows how to smile.

Case	42mm x 12.23mm, Grade 2 Titanium with black DLC
Movement	BB14-AH Automatic
Power Reserve	68 hours
Frequency	28,800 bph (4Hz)
Water Resistance	10 ATM (100 metres)
Crystal	Glass Box anti-reflective sapphire crystal
Lug Width	22mm
Lug-to-Lug	49.3mm
Bracelet	DLC coated Titanium with quick-release system
Price	$6,850 USD