Bell & Ross combines high performance with a retro spirit in the BR V2-92 and BR V2-94 Steel Heritage series, inspired by instrument panels from 1960s aircraft.
Bell & Ross believes aeronautical instrumentation is the “ultimate point of reference” when it comes to precision, legibility and reliability. In aviation history — from the early bi-planes to the latest fighter jets — watches have always played an important role, “helping crews with navigation and providing operational support to pilots”. No wonder all of Bell & Ross’ military-inspired watches comply with the strict specifications established by various armed forces.
The watchmaker launched its Heritage series in 2009, to highlight key eras in aviation. Bell & Ross notes that a common strand in all BR Heritage watches — whether they are square or round (yes, they sometimes deviate from their norm), three-hand or chronograph — has been the expression of time through colours and patina that give the watches a vintage look. Combined with beige numerals on a black background, this collection has managed to introduce what it calls an iconic style into the watch market.
The first generation, released in 2005, was characterised by a classic dial, rounded lugs and the absence of a bezel — for what’s described as a generous and uncluttered look while improving legibility. For the second generation, launched in 2007, the brand extensively revised the case and dial to make the collection more coherent. The case was enlarged, a bezel was added, and the lugs became more angular.
And now, Bell & Ross is moving the story forward with the third generation — the BR V2-92 and BR V2-94 Steel Heritage watches, which are inspired by instrument panels from 1960s aircraft. While the identity of the dial remains the same, the case has becomes more sophisticated, so the new collection retains the iconic black dial with its traditional sand-coloured 3, 6, 9 and 12 numerals that appear “as if aged by the patina of time”.
The watches are housed in a 41mm satin-polished steel case and steel bezel with an anodised black aluminium ring and a 60-second minute scale. The case is also flatter than earlier models. The pushers are now screw-down, and a crown protector has been added, while the rounded design of the lugs blends more naturally with the new straps. Furthermore, the sapphire crystal has an “ultra-curved” finish, and is meant to evoke the style of vintage watches.
You can say the watches are more modern, more contemporary while being faithful to the origins.
Sebastien Gobert, Bell & Ross designer, points out that the watch hands are in the form of arrows and reminiscent of those found on aeronautical instruments. “We also introduced a new signature on the vintage collections — it is the silhouette of a plane on the counterweight of the central seconds hand. You can say the watches are more modern, more contemporary while being faithful to the origins.”
Or, as the company puts it, the Heritage series conveys the past, while at the same time belonging to the modern era with the use of the latest watchmaking technologies and materials. Essentially combining high performance with a retro spirit.
The BR V2-92 is a three-hander powered by the BR-Cal. 302 automatic movement, while the V2-94 packs in the calibre BR-Cal. 301 — this adds a twin-register chronograph with a seconds counter at 3 o’clock and 30-minute totaliser at 9 o’clock. Both variants are water-resistant to 100m.
Specifications
BR V2-92 BLACK STEEL
- Movement: caliber BR-CAL.302. Automatic mechanical
- Functions: hours, minutes, central seconds and date
- Case: 41mm in diameter. Satin-polished steel. Rotating steel bezel with anodised black aluminium ring and 60-minute scale. Screw-down crown. Sapphire case-back
- Dial: matt grey. Numerals and indices coated in white SuperLuminova. Metal skeletonised SuperLuminova-filled hour and minute hands
- Crystal: ultra-curved sapphire with anti-reflective coating
- Water resistance: 100m
- Strap: satin-polished steel or black calfskin
- Pin: folding; satin-polished steel
BR V2-94 BLACK STEEL
- Movement: caliber 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: 41mm in diameter. Satin-polished steel. Steel bezel with anodised black aluminium ring and pulsometer scale. Screw-down crown and push-buttons. Sapphire case-back
- Dial: matt grey. Numerals and indices coated in white SuperLuminova. Metal skeletonised SuperLuminova-filled hour and minute hands
- Crystal: ultra-curved sapphire with anti-reflective coating
- Water resistance: 100m
- Strap: satin-polished steel or black calfskin
- Pin: folding; satin-polished steel
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