When you think of character watches, the mind inevitably wanders to a certain beagle sitting on the dial of an iconic lunar chronograph. But there is another cartoon mascot with a military aviation pedigree that is just as legitimate, and arguably far more mischievous.
For generations, Felix the Cat has been a symbol of courage, good luck, and fearless adventure for U.S. Navy fighter pilots—most notably the VFA-31 “Tomcatters” squadron. Now, the British aviation enthusiasts at Bremont have decided to let the feline loose in the cockpit.
Introducing the Bremont Altitude MB Meteor ‘Felix The Cat’, a 500-piece limited edition that brilliantly injects a sense of playful nostalgia into a hardened, tactical tool watch. Priced at £5950, it proves that even an instrument engineered to survive the violent, bone-rattling forces of a Martin-Baker ejection seat can still have a sense of humor.
Stealth Architecture, Serious Engineering
At first glance, the Altitude MB Meteor ‘Felix The Cat’ means absolute business. The watch utilizes Bremont’s signature 42mm Trip-Tick case construction, forged from lightweight Grade 2 titanium and fully coated in a tactical, stealth black DLC finish. Measuring 12.23mm thick with a very wearable 49.3mm lug-to-lug distance, it sits comfortably on the wrist while projecting a rugged, utilitarian presence.
The case features a knurled PVD titanium central barrel, flanked by matching crowns at 2 and 4 o’clock. But true to its “MB” (Martin-Baker) designation, the real magic happens beneath the metal.
The movement is safely suspended within a proprietary, shock-absorbing rubber mount and shielded by an anti-magnetic soft-iron ring, ensuring the watch can easily shrug off the extreme physical impacts and electromagnetic interference found in a modern fighter jet.
A Dial With Nine Lives
Against this severe, instrument-inspired backdrop, the dial serves as a canvas for pure horological fun. Applied numerals and indexes are generously filled with high-grade white Super-LumiNova® that emits a brilliant blue glow in low light.
The star of the show, however, is Felix himself, printed directly onto the matte black dial and cheekily caught mid-stride as he runs away with the numeral 6. It is a brilliant, literal interpretation of the classic fighter pilot idiom, “Watch your six.”
Creating a sharp, highly legible contrast against the stealthy palette are bright yellow accents inspired by real-world flight safety markings. The minute track pops with yellow, while the iconic Bremont seconds hand features a distinctive looped “ejection” pull-handle counterweight—a direct nod to the life-saving handles found on Martin-Baker ejection seats. Furthermore, the watch retains the highly tactile, bi-directional inner rotating bezel, operated via the brand’s incredibly satisfying Roto-Click mechanism using the lower crown.
A Refined Engine Room
Turn the watch over, and the aviation-grade toughness gives way to refined mechanics. The exhibition case back—adorned with a custom, Felix-inspired crystal decoration—reveals the BB14-AH automatic movement.
Based on a highly reliable La Joux-Perret architecture, this 24-jewel caliber beats at 28,800 vibrations per hour (4Hz) and delivers a highly practical 68-hour power reserve. The movement itself is handsomely executed with gunmetal grey finishing and classic Geneva Stripes.
Whether you opt for the matte black DLC titanium bracelet with quick-release functionality or the textured black leather strap with box-stitch detailing, the Bremont Altitude MB Meteor ‘Felix The Cat’ is an absolute joy on the wrist. It is a rare, perfectly executed intersection of pop-culture whimsy and uncompromising military-grade engineering.
