Loading...I know, it is hard to call a watch a hotshot. Usually that is what we apply to a human with exceptional skills. But behind Brellum, there is a human with exceptional skills and that is Sebastien Muller, founder and creator of the Brellum Duobox chronograph. Sebastien is based in Porrentruy, in the swiss Jura, where French is the main language, but the German swiss area is very close. Basel is about one hour away.
Brellum was first introduced in late 2016 in November and turned out to be an instant success, well let’s say it took two weeks to sell the first one, but then it really took off. Sebastien used deliberate social media interaction to sell the first watch. Since then, his watch took off like a rocket. He sold more watches in 4 months than he anticipated for the whole year 2017.
The watch is called “Duobox” because on both sides, front and caseback, there is a box like looking sapphire glass giving full view on the beautifully finished and decorated Valjoux 7750 movement including the automatic rotor.
The Brellum Duobox Chronograph is made of 316L steel which is antiallergenic. The casesize is 41.80mm and the height of the case measures 16.20mm. The front of this watch gives a choice of 4 dial colors: silver which is the current bestseller, grey with yellow accents, blue with red accents and black which is the latest version.
What seems amazing is that Sebastien Muller, founder and designer of Brellum, is managing to have his Chronograph COSC certified. Just like some of the big names. Considering the cost and time associated with this certification, this is impressive to say the least, and not only that, he is still keeping the price of his chronograph at a very reasonable level which you would never find anywhere else, not at this quality level.
Look at the backside of the watch. The sapphire caseback shows you how beautifully decorated the movement is executed. Rarely do you see a Valjoux 7750 decorated at such a high level. Another factor giving proof of the top level of quality of this timepiece.
Sebastien has been working in the watchindustry as designer for over two decades and collected his experience with many other brands as watchmaker as well. The many years of experience clearly show in the whole execution of this watch. Everything is well thought out and thought through. The dials have sunray finishing. The case sits extremely well on the wrist, the overall touch and feel is amazing to say the least without overstating. I have seen many watches in my life, at many different pricepoints. But this watch at this pricepoint is a deal. A great deal. An absolute thumbs up.
I know, one thing that is important with a watch is the beauty, the looks, the quality. But that is not all. Watches sometimes come with some history. Now, the history of Brellum is just a few months old, however, Sebastien Muller thought about how to create the name of HIS brand. This is his child. His baby better to say.
The naming of BRELLUM is the result of using the letter “B” which is the first letter of the village Bonfol where Sebastien Muller was born. As his last name is “Muller”, he reversed it to “RELLUM” and put the “B” in front of it. Sebastien says that he created this name based on this to manifest the DNA of his watchbrand.
Last the logo at 3 o’clock of the Brellum Chronograph. The logo is a dragon like creature from regional mythology. The beast is called a “Wyvern” having a body from a bird and the head of a snake. The carbuncle stone is set in the head of this dragon which Sebastien Muller is trying to simulate in the logo.
Ultimately, this is a great new watch which I think is on a quality level you do not see in many other new brands currently entering the market, especially when I look at a lot of the kickstarter watches that are currently created.
Here you have an expert with over 2 decades experience in the watchbusiness, a designer and watchmaker, someone who knows how to create a watch and what is important when designing it. One thing I noticed for example, albeit being just a small factor, is the position of the crown. It is centered on your wrist and not touching your skin when you are wearing the watch. A very nice feature as you do not hurt yourself over time. This is not the case with every watch, I can assure you that.
My favorite color is the blue dial with the red accents and writing. I love the red tip on the chronograph hand for example.
However, according to Sebastien Muller, the bestseller is the silver dial chronograph. Over 60% of all his sales to date are made with the silver dial.
Sofar, Sebastien’s success has surpassed all his expectations. He sold more watches in 4 months than he had projected for the first year. What more can you want? Isn’t that proof enough that this is a truly successful timepiece?
For those based in Austria and Germany, I am selling Brellum watches on my homepage. The listprice for Germany and Austria is 2390 Euro for the chronograph on leather strap and 2490 on the mesh steel bracelet. The leather strap is a calf leather strap which feels very comfortable on your wrist. It would be my recommendation, but I know some people love mesh bracelets.
For people outside of these two countries, feel free to visit the Brellum homepage.
Finally, this is a Swiss made watch designed by a Swiss designer. The mesh bracelet is made in Germany by the way.
This watch is the watch of the year 2017. Price and quality are topnotch. Two thumbs up.
Last but not least, during Baselworld Sebastien presented a Brellum chronograph with power reserve. Limited to 8 pieces only, he sold 7 on the first day when I shot my photos of the watch. The 8th piece was sold the next day. Take a look, the power reserve watch looked stunning and would be my favorite to own. Too late.
In addition, Sebastien is working on creating pieces with different bezels. During Basel, he presented the watch with a rose gold bezel. Quite lovely. Those watches carry a rose gold rotor as well.
Honestly I am curious to see what will come next? I know from Sebastien that he is working on something new, but I am not yet allowed to talk about it. Stay tuned.
