Hands-On – Bell & Ross BR-X1 Black Titanium Chronograph

Bell & Ross has been knocking them out of the park lately, with several vintage-inspired watches that really hit the spot, like the new Vintage Collection and some derivatives, such as the Vintage V2-92 & V2-94 Garde-Cotes and the commemorative BR126 Renault Sport 40th Anniversary. Today, however, we’re shifting gears and getting hands on with one of the brand’s more futuristic-looking models; the BR-X1 Black Titanium Chronograph, a softer and more “monochrome” version of the bold chronograph we already tested here.

7 years ago

Hands-On – Bell & Ross Vintage V2-92 & V2-94 Garde-Cotes

Earlier this year, at Baselworld 2017, Bell & Ross renewed their “classical” collection (which, compared to the bold and large BR-01 watches is somehow classical, yet sporty), the Vintage. Smaller, slimmer, more elegant, with just a tiny bit of vintage feel, this collection has been highly praised and widely recognized as a success. It is time now for Bell & Ross to go back to military and special forces inspiration, with the Vintage V2-92 & V2-94 Garde-Cotes, paying tribute to coastguards, and using a specific color code mixing grey, orange and white.

7 years ago

Introducing – Bell & Ross BR126 Renault Sport 40th Anniversary, To celebrate the 40th Anniversary of Renault in Formula 1

In 2016, the Parisian brand Bell & Ross moved from its usual military-inspired watches to explore new territories with a partnership in Formula 1, with Team Renault Sport. This “French Connection”, which we detailed here, lead to the creation of already 2 collections, including the new pieces presented at Baselworld 2017. Today, another watch comes to enrich this F1 line-up, however far from the usual hyper-technical theme, and more on the vintage side. Here is the Bell & Ross BR126 Renault Sport 40th Anniversary, to celebrate the 40th Anniversary of Renault in Formula 1.

7 years ago

Only Watch 2017 – Unique Bell & Ross BR-X1 RS17 Only Watch, and there’s more than a watch to be auctioned…

This is not the first time that Bell & Ross participates to Only Watch. Indeed, the military-inspired Parisian brand already created several unique watches to be auctioned for this good cause, as for instance in 2011, 2013 and 2015 (see here). This year, B&R will also have a specifically modified model, based on the recently introduced BR-X1 RS17, the result of their partnership with Formula 1 team Renault Sport. So expect some strong racing car inspiration here… and there’s more than just a watch to be auctioned.

7 years ago

Watches and Formula 1 – Episode 5 – The French Connection, Renault Sport F1 x Bell & Ross

Renault came into Formula 1 with a bang, which is to be taken quite literally. At a time where the rulebook seemed virtually limitless, the French manufacturer brought turbocharging into the mix. Fueled by an insatiable hunger for power, combined with ground effects aerodynamics and just about the most daring drivers Formula 1 has ever seen, the constructor pioneered its way to the top! Since 2016 they are back as a constructor and partnered with Bell & Ross, which seems like a very French match. Today we unravel the history of Renault in Formula 1 and why the connection to Bell & Ross is a very logical one.

8 years ago

Hands-On – Bell & Ross BR03-94 AeroGT Orange Skeleton Chronograph (Live Pics, Specs & Price)

Finding new sources of inspiration and design is, for a watch brand, both necessary and dangerous. A certain, Italian-born brand creating dive watches might be the best example of the non-success of “staying true to its roots“. Evolution is a mandatory evil. It is also the raison d’être of the AeroGT collection by Bell & Ross, a necessary move in a different direction, away from its military roots, and instead shifting the focus to super-cars. Based on the chronograph model launched in 2016, a second version, the Bell & Ross BR03-94 AeroGT Orange Skeleton Chronograph, has now been unveiled.

8 years ago

Nocturnal Camouflage – The New Bell & Ross BR03-92 Black Camo

After incursions in the world of sports cars (with the Aero-GT collection), in the Formula 1 field (with the BR-X1 RS16 or the brand new RS17 collection), after skull-inspired watches or even high-end watchmaking, Bell & Ross goes back to its beloved roots: military pieces. Stealth, dark, inspired by military-specifications, highly legible but still very much integrated in its environment, here is the new Bell & Ross BR03-92 Black Camo.

8 years ago

Summer Is Coming… 10 Great Dive Watches Of 2017, For Every Pocket

You may or may not be planning a deep dive over the summer. It does not really matter. You do not need to be a diver to love these high-performing, utilitarian dive watches. They make great daily wearers too and as summer is fast approaching, we have picked 10 new dive watches of 2017, with choices to suit every pocket and every taste. In short, the best watches to look cool on the beach, on a boat and with your favorite summer cocktail.

8 years ago

6 Car-Inspired Watches From Baselworld 2017

Speed is equal to the distance traveled divided by the time. Here we are, the link with watchmaking is easy to get. Mechanical fascination does the rest: gearheads are inevitably attracted by watches. This natural fit has long inspired watchmakers. We take a look at 6 automotive-inspired watches from Baselworld 2017.

8 years ago

Brice Goulard’s Baselworld 2017 Top 10 Favorite Watches

After Xavier’s and Frank’s Top 10 watches of Baselworld 2017, after our list of the 10 most read articles of the fair (just to give us an indication of what collectors loved), it is time for your humble editor to come with his 10 favorite watches of Baselworld 2017. First all, before going into further details, this ranking is not about the 10 best watches of the show but it is based on my personal tastes – and as collecting dive and sports watches myself, you’ll see it is a little biased. From a super-friendly priced Oris to a complex Patek, here are my 10 favorite watches of 2017 (and yes, all of them are on my wish-list).

8 years ago