Fixed hand, rotating discs…

This is a cool new limited edition watch from Bell & Ross, the BR 01-02 Compass. A similar version of this watch was actually previewed a couple of years ago at Baselworld.  You will immediately notice that this is not a normal watch — in fact the design is inspired by old school aviation navigation instruments in that the watch keeps time via one fixed point at the top of the dial. It’s actually quite simple if you take a moment to examine it.

What time is it?

10:10 of course!

I really like this concept of telling time.  Rather than two hands moving around a dial, the dial — or in this case two dials — move around a single hand (ie a fixed point). Thus there are two concentric disks which independently rotate to reflect the hours (outer dial) and minutes (inner dial).  Like this:

Cool, eh?  Production will be limited to 500 pieces, available October 2010.  Price is approximately $5,500 / £3,400.

Bell & Ross unveiled two vintage-inspired watches in its Heritage collection at Baselworld this year (Vintage Heritage BR 123 Carbon and Heritage BR 126 Carbon chronograph watches), and the brand has now followed up these releases with a four more vintage-inspired pieces along the same design lines. These highly legible, simply designed watches are a nod to 1940s aviator watches and feature a beige or black dial and are paired with matching leather straps.  Bell & Ross did provide images of the watches on “aged” straps, but it does not seem that these straps will be sold with the watches.  The black-dialed Vintage Original BR 123 time and date model you see here includes a small seconds sub-dial and a date window at 6 o’clock.

Personally I like the black dial version on the black strap:

The Vintage Original BR 126 chronograph has central seconds, a 60-second and 30-minute subdials, and a (round) date window at 4:30.

And here are the beige models on the standard brown leather strap:

Both watches have a 41mm stainless steel case, 100 meter water resistance, and have luminescent hands, numbers and indexes. The BR 123 is powered by an ETA 2895, while the chronograph uses an ETA 2894.  Notice too the nicely designed buckles on these watches.

Up close and in video with the green ceramic watch…

Last week you saw the new Bell & Ross Instrument BR03-92 Military Green Ceramic watch.  I knew this watch was a winner as soon as I saw it, and it is definitely one of the best watches to come out of Baselworld 2010, in my view.   Now you can see this watch in up-close and in video – as presented by Roberto Passariello, Communications Director for Bell & Ross.  It looks simply outstanding – B&R really has really nailed the whole “Instrument” concept.

A pair of simply styled, vintage inspired watches from Bell & Ross

I gotta say that Bell & Ross had a strong opening day showing at Baselworld.  The green Ceramic military watch is totally awesome, and these vintage inspired watches also look great.  41mm diamter, too – perfect size.  Note – although the model says “carbon”, it is actually a steel case with a black carbon finish (essentially PVD).

Bell & Ross Vintage BR 123 Carbon

Bell & Ross Vintage BR 123 Carbon

“Green military ceramic” all the way…one cool watch!

For the fighter pilot or the watch enthusiast.    Bell & Ross maintains their “Instrument” theme and stick with what they do best.  These watches have true identity and I love it.  42mm case, eta 2892 movement, rubber strap also available.

Editor’s Update:  **SEE THIS WATCH UP-CLOSE AND IN VIDEO IN OUR LATEST POST, HERE**

Nov 10 Update: Finally got the official details from B&R!  Added a close-up pic of the chronograph, too.  46mm square, screw in crown, powered by the “usual” for B&R – ETA 2892 and ETA 2894 (for the chronograph).  100m water resistance.  B&R claims “the first watch to be constructed entirely of a carbon fiber case” and with carbon fiber dial and strap, too.

First In Watches has been informed that there will be 500 of each of these new “all carbon” Bell & Ross models.  Working to confirm more details…but for now I’ll let the pics speak for themselves…

While recently reading the interesting and entertaining blog “High Snobiety”, I came across a preview of some t-shirts in Prada’s new Fall/Winter collection.   Apparently Prada’s new collection is all about the “studs”.  Fine, whatever.  But what caught my eye was the stud-accented skull & crossbones design on one of the new t-shirts.  It reminded me of the B01 Airborne tribute watch released earlier this year by Bell & Ross.  In fact, I couldn’t help but thinking what a “killer” combination it would make if one paired the $2,300 t-shirt with one of the limited edition “diamond studded” Bell & Ross B01 Airborne tribute watch.

Prada Studded Skull T-Shirt

(Yours for about $2,300 – whoa!! )

Diamond Studded Bell & Ross B01 Airborne Watch

(estimated price $50,000-$75,000)

So what do you think?  A killer combination?  Or just overkill?  You decide

Prada T-Shirts via High Snobiety and Milk.

On June 9th, Bell & Ross launched its new limited edition BR01 Airborne (the “skull” watch) at Colette, the Parisian fashion and style boutique. At the store, the BR01 Airborne collection was on display, including the two never before seen diamond versions of the watch, shown here:

The BR 01 Airborne (limited edition of 500 pieces) was developed in honor of the courageous soldiers who fought during World War II, particularly the paratroopers of the US Airborne divisions. The skull was one of the emblems they wore on their uniforms as a symbol of courage in the face of death.

Bell & Ross produced a video tribute to the soliders which you can watch here:

I think B&R did a very good job with the video as it is portrayed in a tactful and tasteful manner as a “tribute” video should be. While the B01 Airborne has been criticized by some, and there others who say that they “don’t get it”, I think that the B01 Airborne is a very special watch with profound symbolism behind it, and I applaud Bell & Ross for producing it.

To begin our “Post-Baselworld Interview Series”, Perpetuelle.com recently conducted an interview with Roberto Passarrielo, Director of Marketing & Communication for Bell & Ross.  We are pleased to share this interview with you below in which we receive Mr. Passariello’s insights into Baselworld 2009, the Bell & Ross brand, social media and more.

The Bell & Ross Exhibit at Baselworld 2009