Baselworld 2011 continues!

Bell & Ross is a brand with amazing clarity of purpose.  It knows what kind of watches it wants to make (Military-inspired “instrument watches”), and it makes them with unwavering comittment to this concept.  Much to its credit, the brand very clearly works very hard to ensure strong consistency across the Bell & Ross product line.  I believe that this approach is a good one, as it clearly defines the brand in the eyes of the consumer.  When you go for a Bell & Ross, you know exactly what you are getting.  This year, the brand has unveiled a couple new watches that I think most watch enthusiasts will appreciate.  The WW1 Watch and the PW1 Pocket Watch are, in essence, one in the same.  The WW1, or “Wrist Watch 1″, is basically the forward evolution of the PW1, or “Pocket Watch 1″.  Bell & Ross President Carlos Rosillo very adeptly explains all of this in the short video below — I hope you will take 3 minutes to watch it because it really highlights the “story behind” the new Bell & Ross PW1 and WW1 watches for 2011.  Enjoy!

Bell & Ross WW1 Watch and PW1 Pocketwatch, as explained by B&R President Carlos Rosillo

2011 Bell & Ross WW1 Watch and PW1 Pocketwatch

In 2011, Bell & Ross will be adding a two new models to its Vintage Collection:  the Vintage Original Carbon (BR 123) and Carbon Chrono (BR 126).  Last year we saw the “carbon” case (steel with black PVD treatment) used for the popular Vintage Heritage watches (live look here), and this year the carbon case goes to the standard aka “Original” Vintage collection.  While nice looking watches, the one thing I will say is that these watches really, really need a strap upgrade – the plain brown leather strap is just pitiful.  Otherwise, an attractive set of watches if you are a B&R fan.

Be sure to keep an eye on our Official Baselworld 2011 Feed as more of the newest and hottest watches of 2011 are unveiled between now and the end of March.

Bell & Ross Vintage Original Carbon
41mm “carbon” (steel black PVD) case,  Swiss “ETA” automatic mechanical movements, 100m water resistance

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Almost Halloween…

Bell & Ross has crossed its BR01 Airborne watch with its BR01 Tourbillon to come up with this deathly looking limited edition piece.    The watch has regulator-style time display (hours, minutes, seconds all with their own hand), with the tourbillon cage functioning as the seconds hand (60 second rotation).  There is also a power reserve display, and a torque indicator which helps you not to overwind the manual-wind movement.  Limited edition of 20 pieces, priced at $150,000 each.   By the way, if you want to see more “regulator” watches or learn more about what exactly a “regulator” watch is, check out this post about the Milos Zetios Regulator in which I cross reference several other regulator watches and have a “Did You Know” section about regulators.

Bell & Ross BR01 Tourbillon Airborne Limited Edition Watch

46mm DLC-coated titanium case, tourbillon (small seconds), regulator, black stringray strap

Sharp looking watch…but price is too proud…

I looked at some of the new and very good-looking Bell & Ross Vintage collection models back in July.  Now Bell & Ross has extended the collection with a couple of “Vintage Officer” models (chronograph and non-chrono) that are a slight step-up from the “non-Officer” versions.  The not so obvious changes vs. the “non-Officer” model are the use of a polished case instead of brushed, and a black alligator strap instead of calfskin.  There was also a very minor design change to the 60-second chronograph subdials, but this could just be a discrepancy in the press photos.   Naturally, the price will also be slightly higher — maybe around $5,000 instead of $4,200 for the non-Officer.

All in, I think the changes make the Bell & Ross Vintage Officer chronograph a more desirable watch than its subordinate — definitely more befitting of an Officer.  On the whole, it’s a great looking watch with a reliable movement, but I think it is overpriced.  I think the Omega Speedmaster Seamaster Planet Ocean with co-axial movement would be a much better purchase and for a meaningfully lower price.

Bell & Ross Vintage Officer Chronograph

41mm polished steel case, ETA 2894 movement, 100m water resistance, black alligator strap

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.

Our Baselworld coverage continues…but first a recap…

As you know Perpetuelle.com has been quite busy these past few days bringing you all of the latest and greatest new watches from the world’s finest independent watchmakers and leading luxury brands.  Thank you all for visiting the site these past few days! My team and I take great pride in quite literally working around the clock to bring you the most comprehensive and the most timely coverage of Baselworld possible.  This is our passion.  It is an event such as Baselworld that we live for, and we hope some of our passion is being transmitted to you!

Now – since “opening weekend” is now behind us, I wanted to give you a quick recap before I move on.  First a quick reminder that here on First In Watches, the official Perpetuelle.com blog, I am almost exclusively highlighting only the most exciting new watches to come out of Baselworld.  I do critique some of the “less than impressive” watches and watch brands because hey, let’s be honest these brands can and should do better.  As an independent voice, I’m not afraid to point out a poorly conceived watch when I see one, but overall I try to remain focused on the positive and write about only the watches that I like or find interesting.  Just remember that you are entitled to your opinion and all are welcome to post a comment (even the brands themselves) for a balanced discussion.

So, in alphabetical order, here is what I have featured since last Wednesday.  Be sure to check out any that you missed!

• Bell & Ross Instrument BR03-92 Military Ceramic
• Bell & Ross Vintage BR 123 Carbon and BR 126 Carbon
• Blancpain Fifty Fathoms blah blah
• Breguet Type XXII 3880 ST
• Breitling Bentley Supersports
• Chronoswiss Opus Black Magic
• Corum Ti Bridge Tourbillon
• Frédéric Jouvenot Hélios
• Glashütte Original PanoMatic Counter XL
• Glashütte Original Senator Diary
• Grand Seiko Going International
• Green dial green bezel Rolex Submariner
• Harry Winston Opus X
• Hublot “Liberty” Bullets, by the Confrérie Horlogère
• Hublot King Power Tourbillon Manufacture
• Jean Dunand Palace
• Linde Werdelin Oktopus Tattoo
• Maîtres du Temps Chapter One Round
• Maurice Lacroix “Square Wheel”
• New Rolex Explorer
• OMEGA Seamaster PloProf white dial (new variation)
• OMEGA Speedmaster Professional Apollo-Soyuz 35th anniversary
• Patek Philippe Chronograph Ref 5170
• Patek Philippe Perpetual Calendar Split-Seconds Chronograph (Ref 5961P)
• Patek Philippe Steel Split-Seconds Chronograph (Ref 5950A)
• Perrelet Diamond Flower Ceramic
• Recommended Reading: “Masters of Contemporary Watchmaking”, by Michael Clerizo
• Rolex Explorer 214270
• Rolex Teaser
• Tag Heuer Carrera 1887 Chronograph
• TAG Heuer Pendulum Watch
• Tudor Heritage Chrono (with Video)

Finally, don’t forget that the FULL lineup of new watches (complete with specs and info) for each brand is available on our official Baselworld 2010 Forum. Perpetuelle’s Forum Moderator James Bond is doing an excellent job keeping the forum current, however if we are missing something feel free to let us know (contact us tab is above).

Looking forward to tomorrow – well, it is a new day and Baselworld continues – believe me there are still MANY new and exciting watches yet to come!

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**