Taking flight

Bremont unveils the all-new ion Bird timepiece to mark a record-breaking attempt for an electric plane currently being developed by Rolls-Royce

- VARUN GODINHO

Step into any major airport in the world, and you’re guaranteed to see a Rolls-Royce engine strapped onto a commercial passenger jet. Its engines power up aircraft from several manufacturers including Airbus (A330 and A380, among others) and Boeing (777 and 787 Dreamliner).

Now though, Rolls-Royce is using its aviation know-how to build an all-electric plane that will attempt to break the world record by powering through the 300mph mark next year. Called the Spirit of Innovation, if successful, the zero-emission aircraft will comfortably surpass the 213mph current world record for a fully-electric aircraft.

British watchmaker Bremont has been appointed as the official timing partner for the initiative. The Henley-on-Thames headquartered company isn’t though just merely standing by on the fringes during the build process – it is actively involved in designing components for the aircraft as well.