Bell & Ross sends another one down the pipe with the Phantom edition. This standard issue BR 01 Instrument — the automatic one with three hands — has low visibility pips and digits that light up like the sun in the dark. I’m not sure about the overall readability, but the idea is cool. Again — B&R is essentially carving out its own path in the mid- to high-range watch market and I’m very impressed. Gotta get me one.
Bell & Ross
James read my BR 01-92 review and posted this amazing comment:
My son gave me a BR01-94 and it looks just like the clock I had in the SR-71 Aircraft that I flew between July 68 to Jun 74. All my friends will see the watch at the Blackbird Reunion in Reno this month and I know the watch will bring back great flying moments flying the SR-71. I am a very proud owner of one of the greatest watches I have ever owned.
James H. Shelton, Jr Col. USAF Ret
Thanks for sharing, James. It’s rare to hear these kinds of stories and remind us what a well-made watch really is: a link to the past and a way forward into the future.
I love Bell & Ross. This is a new piece from their Basel show. Fair enough. It’s blue. I think the Instrument series has pumped loads of creativity into a once-stagnant brand and even industry. It’s a cool fashion watch with enough gizmo chops to make it quite cool. But please, B&R — first the tourbillion now this? Let Glycine rock the crazy colors. Innovate, don’t “change things up.”
I had been meaning to write about this new B&R monster but never got around to it. Not much is known about this super duper Bell and Ross aviator boat anchor/jet pilot blinder, but it apparently has a thrust indicator. Why? Who knows.
If its a Grand Complication it traditionally should have about 6 different features. We shall see.
Top Secret Design Revealed! The Bell & Ross BR 01 Grand Complication [THE WATCHISMO TIMES]
Any watch description that begins with “At the request of the French Naval Air Force…” has to be some sort of hoax. But no, Bell & Ross made 150 of the Bell & Ross Type Aéronavale for real fliers. Damn nice of them.
Bell & Ross Type Aéronavale Limited Edition [PROFESSIONAL WATCHES]
Mmmm… tasty. A new B&R. This is an ETA base caliber, probably a 7750, with 42 hour power reserve. It costs about $3,500, which actually isn’t that bad, and looks like a monster.
TimeZone: Industry News: N E W M o d e l – Bell & Ross Chronograph Aeronavale [TimeZone]
