So, we have all seen the official images on the Press releases etc, but there is nothing quite like a “wrist shot” in my opinion!
It is always great to actually get to handle these pieces, look at them closely for inspection and of course get to wear them!
FLIGHT INSTRUMENTS
BELL & ROSS AND AERONAUTICAL INSTRUMENTATION
The iconic BR 01 AVIATION collection is directly inspired by the instrumentation of aircraft cockpits, and addresses four fundamental requirements: legibility, functionality, precision and water-resistance. Pushing its exploration of aeronautical navigation instruments further, Bell & Ross innovates year after year with completely new high-tech models —BR 01 COMPASS in 2010, and RADAR in 2011—, offering a completely new way of reading time, inspired by flight instrumentation.
In 2012, Bell & Ross introduced three new versions: BR 01 HORIZON, BR 01 ALTIMETER, and BR 01 TURN COORDINATOR. The result was a collection of exclusive watches with an innovative display and uncompromising legibility: an absolute priority for professionals and for every Bell & Ross watch.
…BR01 Heading Indicator
…BR01 Airspeed
…BR01 Climb
A NEW TRIO AND A REVISED INSTRUMENTATION PANEL
In 2013, Bell & Ross is enhancing the AVIATION collection with three new instruments directly inspired by the cockpit, – HEADING INDICATOR, AIRSPEED and CLIMB – and essential to flying and navigation.
• The gyrocompass, course indicator or heading indicator, is a vital instrument for flying, used during both manual flight and autopilot, which indicates the course the plane is on.
• The anemometer, or airspeed indicator, indicates speed. It measures an aircraft’s speed in relation to the air through which it is moving and allows the plane to be flown in a controlled way without visibility.
• The variometer or vertical speed indicator, indicates to the pilot at all times whether the plane is ascending, descending or in level flight. This instrument works using atmospheric pressure and is graduated in hundreds of feet per minute.
SPORT HERITAGE & FALCON
“Watch manufacturer Bell & Ross has designed collections of timepiece instruments that pay tribute to five key periods in aviation history and the technological breakthroughs that occurred from the 1900s to the pre- sent day.
Consistently upholding respect for: primarily, the military specifications from which Bell & Ross watches borrow their strict guidelines and high readability, functionality, precision and waterproof standards. Secondly, for the codes passed down from each period that are conscientiously updated to create modern timepieces that are modern, yet faithful to those that inspired them.
The VINTAGE collection’s new SPORT HERITAGE line of watches pays special homage to the 1960s, a period of intense creativity and numerous innovations.This period also saw the creation of Dassault’s famous Mystère- Falcon 20, the best business jet of its time.”
…The “Sport Heritage” Vintage 123 Automatic
I actually think this is the best of these new Vintage Sport watches, of course that is my opinion!
…The “Sport Heritage” Vintage 126 Chronograph
These wear beautifully especially the 123 with its sweeping seconds hand as opposed to the sub seconds dial which is normally at 6. It gives the watch that larger and sportier look.
I like the sand coloured Heritage livery as opposed to the Vintage Sport that was released last year.
Both are very comfortable on the “tropical” rubber straps that they come on, and the texture gives it a different feel also.
THE VINTAGE SPORT HERITAGE LINE
The Vintage line’s spirit recalls the 1960s era of civil aviation and the decade’s sports watches. its HERITAGE style embodies the period in its details:
• Sand-colored hands and numerals reproduce the aged look of period watches.
• The round, classically shaped, polished steel case features a bulging, anti-reflective sapphire crystal, adding modern technology to the crystal’s authentic shape
• A bezel marked with 60-minute graduations,and the contrast of time information on the dial, enhance readability.
Bell & Ross has created two complementary models: an automatic BR 123 version, with hours, minutes, seconds and date; and a BR 126 chronograph version.
TWO OUTSTANDING MANUFACTURERS JOIN FORCES
Dassault Aviation is another story about heritage. The excellence of the Falcon business jets is the result of the company’s groundbreaking technology in designing and manufacturing fighter jets. in the early 1960s, Dassault worked on the development of a small, twin-engine, 10-seat business jet, the Mystère 20. The jet made its maiden flight on the 4th of May 1963 and immediately became the commercial success known as the Falcon.
This was the first chapter in an amazing saga that continues to this day, with the Falcon 7X generation business jets and the delivery of Dassault’s 2,250th Falcon.
Bell & Ross, the benchmark in aeronautical watches, shares Dassault’s values of innovation, quality and reliability. it became only natural for both great companies to team up to celebrate the Falcon’s 50th anniversary and launch the Bell & Ross VINTAGE SPORT HERITAGE. To mark the celebrated jet’s 50th anniversary, Bell & Ross has created two limited edition timepieces: the VINTAGE FALCONS.
…The “Falcon” Vintage 123 Automatic
…The “Falcon” Vintage 126 Chronograph
These are lovely looking watches with the ‘Flecked’ brown dials (a work in progress) which highlights the sand coloured applied indices. The brown leather strap is also a great way of completing the brown colour of this watch. The “Falcon” screen printed logo on the dial at 6 looks great, printed in white and enforces the direct partnership and prestige of the Dassault Aviation company.
THE ANNIVERSARY SERIES: THE VINTAGE FALCON
The FALCON watch pays homage to its namesake’s 50th anniversary, featuring all the hallmarks of the VINTAGE SPORT HERITAGE line and stands out due to:
• The brown dial and brown leather wristband, which enhance its authentic vintage spirit
• The Falcon’s outline ,silk-screened on the dial at 6 o’clock
• The elegant «50ansduFalcon» logo on the back, which appears in its metallic form on a sapphire glass background.
…the collection.
PINK GOLD REGULATOR
Bell & Ross creates watches that are as precious as they are functional, reflecting its constant quest for excellence and the exceptional. Continuing from the Vintage WW1 Heure Sautante model introduced in 2012, Bell & Ross presents the WW1 Régulateur, a watch of extreme refinement that will delight connoisseurs of singular, neo-classical pieces. Featuring an original display with a sober and ultra-legible design, this model epitomizes the brand’s visual identity with high-quality watchmaking.
…Pink Gold “Regulator”
COMPLEXITY THAT PROMOTES LEGIBILITY
For this new model, Bell & Ross has chosen a display favouring precise and immediate reading of the minutes via the Swiss-made “regulator” movement. This movement, which separates the indexes by ordering them into a hierarchy, has long been the most precise instrument in the his- tory of watchmaking.
It creates an original display in which each of the indexes – hours, minutes and seconds – have their independent display.
The Vintage WW1 Régulateur has a dominant central hand for the minutes, an hour counter at 12 o’clock and a small independent seconds hand at 6 o’clock, allowing rapid and precise reading of short time periods.
A PRECIOUS OBJECT WITH A SLEEK DESIGN
The Vintage WW1 Régulateur reflects a classical aesthetic. The combination of pure lines, high quality materials and slender strap make this watch the height of elegance.
• Its generous diameter (42mm), domed sapphire crystal, fasteners resembling wire handles soldered to the case, and its narrow alligator strap, are all reminiscent of the first wrist watches.
• The opaline silvered dial, the snailed counter and the extreme slenderness of the blue hands and indexes offer a unique refinement, the very embodiment of elegance.
• As a final touch, the pink gold brings nobility and sobriety to this timepiece. The «barleycorn» guilloched caseback, worked in the style of period watches, is decorated in precious metal, reflecting the watchmakers’ exquisite craftsmanship.
THE ULTIMATE ELEGANCE OF FUNCTIONALITY
The Vintage WW1 Régulateur embodies Bell & Ross’s expertise in watchmaking. It brilliantly combines the complexity of the mechanical movement with the simplicity of the principle of separated indexes. The refined design of its high-quality polished pink gold case gives it a timeless elegance.
Offered in a limited edition of 99 pieces, it will appeal to collectors and connoisseurs of traditional watchmaking with modern tastes. Bell & Ross succeeds in its original mission of harnessing technology to promote legibility.
GOLDEN HERITAGE
The continuation of the 60’s styling and look has been carried on through the BR03 line in these two new pieces. Their steel case with the use of golden indices, gives it that smarter look and puts it amongst the smarter Vintage and BRS ranges.
The dial, with its flecked black/brown colour is a great which really allows the hands and indices to pop on the dial.
The introduction of a darker tan “Heritage” strap with its contrasting white stitch is very welcome too. A great introduction into the “Heritage” family.
…the dial is reminiscent of the WW2 Regulator with the fleck.
…The BR03-92 Auto
…The BR03-94 Chrono
Many thanks for looking, and I hope that this gives you a clearer view of the B&R watches that have been released, at this time.
MERCI MES AMIS!
