MATWATCHES, the leading French manufacturer of miliatary and aviator watches, have teamed up with Iron Maiden’s Bruce Dickinson to create the limited edition Bruce Aeris quartz chronograph pilot’s watch.
With just 666 timepieces available, the Bruce Aeris commemorates Bruce piloting the band’s customised Boeing 747 jumbo, Ed Force One, that completed some 61,518 miles (99,003 km) flying Iron Maiden, their crew and over 20 tons of stage equipment across six continents on The Book of Souls 2016 World Tour.
Originally created as a gift for Bruce’s bandmates to celebrate Ed Force One, Bruce decided to make available the limited edition timepiece for watch collectors and fans. Bruce said :
“I met Fabrice from MATWATCHES a few years ago and he kindly gave me the pick of his watches as a gift. I chose what turned out to be a test pilot’s timepiece and I’ve pretty much worn it ever since – not just when I’m flying but daily! Fast forward to the start of 2016 and we came up with an Ed Force One watch as a celebration of the plane – initially as a gift from me to my bandmates – but because of the quality, practicality & collectability of it I decided to pick our favourite number (666!) and produce a strictly limited edition timepiece to commemorate an amazing tour on Ed Force One. We’re now making it available to watch collectors, 747 fans and maybe some people that know me from my day job!”
Based in the heart of Paris, MATWATCHES specialises in the design and manufacture of bespoke editions of mechanical Swiss watches. Reliable and rugged, their watches are equipped to cope in the most extreme situations and are used by Elite Armies, including the French Foreign Legion.
On creating the watch, Fabrice Pougez, Head of MATWATCHES said:
“Bruce is, without a doubt, one of the most famous rock singers in the world, as well as an experienced and respected professional pilot, so we were thrilled when, due to our mutual passion for aviation, entrepreneurship and music, he agreed to collaborate with us to create this unique Bruce Aeris timepiece”.
Featuring a black steel body, Swiss Made Quartz Chronograph Ronda 5021.D movement, and interchangable straps, the Bruce Aeris chronograph quartz is highly resistant to shocks, traction, bad weather and extreme conditions. It’s even waterproof up to 200 metres thanks to its screw-in crown and pushers. The luminous index of its dial are manufactured in Super Luminova BGW9 and protected by reinforced sapphire glass.
Retailing at £666 (£799.20 including VAT), the bespoke professional pilot’s watch will be strictly limited to 666 individually numbered pieces. Each timepiece comes in a Collectors’ Box and is accompanied by a certificate of authenticity personally signed by Bruce Dickinson, along with a photo of Ed Force One.
Available on a first come first service basis, you can register your interest in purchasing a Bruce Aeris at www.bruceaeris.com.
My Husband is a massive fan, he will be celebrating his 50th birthday on the 17th Dec 2018. I would love to be able to surprise him with this special watch on his special day. Our daughters and myself have been saving for some time to get him a special gift for his 50th. I know this would mean the world to him. Thanks Dona Murray