The BR V2-94 FULL LUM

From Bell & Ross -

Courtesy of Bell & Ross

This is the second new release of the new batch from B&R. The BR V2-94 FULL LUM.
Limited to 250 pieces, the case measures 41mm in diameter and is of stainless steel. The movement is the self-winding (automatic) BR-CAL.301.

Courtesy of Bell & Ross

Here are the pertinents -

Limited edition of 250 pieces.

Movement: 

calibre BR-CAL.301. Automatic mechanical.

Functions: 

hours, minutes, small seconds at 3 o'clock and date. 

Chronograph: 

30-minute counter at 9 o'clock, central chronograph seconds.

Case: 

41 mm in diameter. Satin-finished and polished steel. Fixed bezel with anodised black aluminum ring and 60-minute scale. Screw-down crown and pushers. Steel and sapphire case-back.

Dial: 

luminescent green painted in Super-LumiNova®. Numerals and indices coated in Super-LumiNova®. Metal skeletonised Super-LumiNova®-filled hour, minute and seconds hands.

Crystal: 

ultra-domed sapphire with anti-reflective coating.

Water-resistance: 

100 metres.

Strap: 

black rubber.

Buckle: 

pin. Satin-finished and polished steel.

In Case You Missed It - the BR V2-94 AERONAVALE in BRONZE

From Bell & Ross -

Courtesy of Bell & Ross

By and large, when it comes to bronze watches I have mixed emotions. All too often brands foolishly opt to use it for a dive watch, the execution is clumsy, and within a few months it is a large block of greenish smudge that looks as if it has been polished with a hot Hershey bar.

But bronze can be elegant, and my favorite in a runaway is the BR V2-94 Aeronvale in bronze.

A less bulky profile than a diver, it provides a far better format for bronze.  To be clear, the BR V2-94 will age and gain a patina that will share not just the story of the watch, but the individual who wore it. And this is just the time machine to record that history.

Here are the pertinents -

Movement: calibre BR-CAL.301. Automatic mechanical.

Functions: hours, minutes, small seconds at 3 o'clock and date. Chronograph: 30-minute timer at 9 o'clock, central chronograph seconds.

Case: 41 mm in diameter. CuAI7Si2 bronze. Bezel with anodized blue aluminum ring and 60-minute scale. Screw-down crown and push-buttons. Steel and sapphire case back.

Dial: blue sunray. Gilded and polished numerals and indices. Satin-polished and gilded skeleton Super-LumiNova®-filled hour and minute hands.

Crystal: box-type sapphire crystal sapphire with anti-reflective coating.

Water-resistance: 100 metres.

Strap: blue calfskin.

Buckle: Folding. Satin-polished bronze.

The BR V2-94 AÉRONAVALE BRONZE

From Bell & Ross -

Courtesy of Bell & Ross

Of the three BaselWorld previews, this is perhaps my favorite!

Here are the pertinents -

Movement: BR-CAL.301. Automatic mechanical.

Functions: hours, minutes, small seconds at 3 o’clock and date. 

Chronograph: 30-min timer at 9 o’clock, central chronograph seconds.

Case: 41 mm in diameter. 

CuAI7Si2 bronze. 

Bezel with anodized blue aluminum ring and 60-minute scale. 

Screw-down crown and push-buttons. Sapphire case back.

Dial: blue sunray. 

Gilded and polished numerals and indices. 

Satin-polished and gilded skeleton Super-LumiNova®-filled hour and minute hands.

Crystal: ultra-curved sapphire with anti-reflective coating. 

Water-resistance: 100 metres.

Strap: blue calfskin.

Buckle: satin-polished bronze

The BR V2-94 Bellytanker

From Bell & Ross -

Courtesy of Bell & Ross

There is something quite wonderful happening at Bell & Ross.  They are re-discovering their (admittedly not too ancient) roots, and in doing so offering some truly fantastic watches.  While I realize that there is a fair amount of enthusiasm about the Instrument collection, I have always been personally drawn to the pieces that make up the BRV models that are part of what is referred to as the Vintage collection.  But having said that, the line was getting a wee bit flat.  Like Henry Ford's Model T, you could have any model you wanted, so long as it was black.  I kid a bit here, because there had been some options like silver, or in the case of the Aeronvale, a stunning blue.  

But with the release of the GARDE-CÔTES, and now the BELLYTANKER, there is a fresh new take on a classic collection that has this Bell & Ross fan excited!

Courtesy of Bell & Ross

In fairness, I have not seen this model in person, so all that I have to go by are the images and the spec. sheet.  Having recently reviewed a "gently used" Bell & Ross chronograph ( The 2 Year Review ) I have to say that I came to really appreciate the tachymeter scale on the bezel.  The addition of screw-down push pieces greatly adds to the sporty look of the watch, but does so gently, and subtly.  It does not hit you over the head screaming - "I'm a sport watch, dammit!".  Rather, it lures you in, seductively.  

The dial is one that is going to haunt me for some time.  It is pleasingly different from what is available on the market.  What Bell & Ross describes as metallic copper and black.  It pops without overwhelming.  I hope at some point that a review might be possible, but I have to go with what is real - a visual impression (a very positive one), and the spec. sheet, which you can get the pertinents from below:

Movement: calibre BR-CAL.301. Automatic mechanical.

Functions: hours, minutes, small seconds at 3 o'clock. Date. 

Chronograph: 30-min timer at 9 o'clock, central chronograph seconds.

Case: 41 mm in diameter. Satin-polished steel. Steel bezel with tachymeter scale. Screw-down crown and push-buttons. Sapphire case-back. 

Dial: gilt. Metal applique numerals and indices. Metal skeletonised Superluminova®-filled hour and minute hands.

Crystal: ultra-curved sapphire with anti-reflective coating. 

Water-resistance: 100 metres.

Straps: satin-polished steel or brown calfskin.