Bell & Ross Vintage BR

[Fats25]

So late last year I started my first thread in the PH watches section:-

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

Suffice to say I am so glad I did, and am extremely happy with my purchase. What is interesting for me is how much enjoyment I get from wearing it. I guess something was going to give when I hit 40, and it seems to be that watches may become the new expensive hobby!

However I am still a long way from an aficionado - hence this post. I suppose it was inevitable after I posted this in the other thread:-

Fats25 said:

This could get dangerous for the old bank balance!

The only issue I have with my watch of choice is what I sad in other thread:-

Fats25 said:

I had a quick try on this morning with my work shirt. Cuffs are going to be an issue I need to figure out before I can consider wearing with a long sleeve shirt.

I just cannot get used to it. The watch is too big for a long sleeved shirt. I have considered larger cuffs, tried pulling the sleeve up a bit, but I just don't like it. Fortunately outside of work I have very few requirements for long sleeves, so means I still get to wear pretty much whenever I like. However it has got me looking at smaller watches that I can wear for work.

So looking at watchfinder over the weekend, I decided to take a look at various Breitlings, Rolex and Omega - as I thought there would be something in their range that would take my fancy - and I fancied something more mainstream after my prior purchase. I then hit the wrong button and a brand called Bell and Ross popped up on the search list. Straght away I saw a Vintage BR (123 I think) that took my fancy.

A bit of googling suggests they are French, and their website shows a number of watches that I like the look of in both chrono and normal (e.g. http://www.bellross.com/ww/collections/vintage/off... They have a shop in Dubai, so I plan on popping in one night after work, in standard work shirt, to try a couple on for size. However I think I will go second hand on this watch.

Knowing nothing of the brand (history, reliability etc) - can someone on here enlighten me?

Many Thanks

[Ikemi]

I still miss my BR02-94 ... http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=109...

The majority of pieces use ETA movements, which are very reliable. The use of such ETA movements in pricier models may be a sticking point though. That said, it's always best to buy a Bell & Ross watch second hand, if you can. Depreciation is quite high!

However the watches are stunning - The factor that separates B&R from other brands is the attention to detail. I'd certainly recommend trying a few on and having a good look at the watches in person.

As for history, it's pretty short. B&R was established in 1992, but their first models were produced by Sinn! They've also been pushing complications (tourbillon, forged carbon) and some interesting designs (Radar, Turn Coordinator models) recently. It's a good brand!

[Fats25]

Thanks for the response. Interesting that they are such a new brand. I would have thought watch manufacturers were older than that!

I will go take a look this week, and find what I want.

Weirdly it is the beige face that I like. I cannot believe I am writing that - as I never thought I would ever want anything beige in my life. I am getting old!

I would like the Chrono version I think - like either of these:-

http://www.chrono24.ae/bellross/automatic-chronogr...

http://www.chrono24.ae/bellross/br-126-original-be...

Question - are the straps interchangeable? Is it a bit like my Panerai where I bought with a stainless steel strap, and then purchased a brown calf leather strap - the calf leather strap was cheaper. Is this the route to go?

That being said - I like the price of this:-

http://www.chrono24.ae/bellross/vintage-aviation-t...

[nikaiyo2]

Bell & Ross often get slated by the watch folks online. I love em, I think the finish is superb and the BR01-03 are very original, be warned tho buying only the one can be a struggle!
I only have a BR03 (the square one) but love this http://www.chrono24.ae/bellross/vintage-sport-heri...

The straps are complete interchangeable, you even get a little tool (like Panerai) in the box, but it's more like an Allen key, at least for the BR01-03s. They are similar to Panerai in that to me they are meant for straps and half their appeal is massive range of funky aftermarket straps. I keep getting this urge to put my PAM on a white patent crock with red stitching lol

If you like bracelets then ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS by the watch on the bracelet then get the strap later it will save you a load

Enjoy, whatever it is you choose

[MitchmachineUAE]

I'd be careful buying a B&R over here in the UAE. The two dealers in Abu Dhabi sell at massively inflated prices over UK retail.

I agree it is worth going and trying one on but suggest you search for a second hand one or order from Jura Watches (I did for one of mine and got a cracking deal) who frequently have sales on B&Rs. As already mentioned above they depreciate like crazy but I still have my BR02-94 and BR01-94.

[lostkiwi]

I've always liked Bell and Ross but sadly they have stopped doing the one I liked most - the BR02 chrono.
I had a BR01 and loved it.
Also like the Vintage series - particularly the WW2 Regulator one.

[Fats25]

So I managed to get to a Bell & Ross shop last night. Or sort of anyway! The boutique in Dubai Mall has closed and the concession has been taken over by The Watchhouse. Not the most knowledgeable of people unfortunately. Despite that I tried a 123 and a 126 on, and as much as I liked the 123 in the photos, it seemed a bit dull in real life.

The 126 I liked. They did not have a beige face one though, but I wated to try a stainless steel strapped watch. The only one they had with the steel strap was the Officer Silver. I loved it. Did not even tickle my fancy in the photos, but in real life is exactly what I am looking at for my everyday watch.

As said above very pricey over here (17255 AED = approx £3225). However I now know what I am looking for. Have seen a couple just below £3000 on Watchfinder and Chrono but ideally I want cheaper than that if I can find. The other thing was the calf straps needed to be on the last setting to get around my manly fat wrists. However I have seen that these seem to be available in a larger size from a website I looked at, where as the steel strap is one size and fitted me perfectly.

This is the watch:-

http://www.bellross.com/ww/collections/vintage/off...

The steel strap is approx £500. The leather is approx £200-300. So I will be looking for one with steel.

If anyone spots a used one - please let me know!

Thanks for the help from those that have posted.

[nikaiyo2]

http://www.thewatchgallery.com/shop/bell-ross-br-1...

Seems a good price from a real known uk dealer.

I know it's on leather but it's quite a saving!

[Fats25]

nikaiyo2 said:

http://www.thewatchgallery.com/shop/bell-ross-br-1...

Seems a good price from a real known uk dealer.

I know it's on leather but it's quite a saving!

It says it is sold out - also is a black face and I really am taken by the silver one now I've seen it !

Thanks anyway

[Ikemi]

Fats25, before you do anything else, speak to Dom H! He is a PHer and owns www.hackettwatches.com - Many of us have bought multiple watches through him! He did a fantastic deal for me on my BR02-94. Give him a bell ...

[Fats25]

Ikemi said:

Fats25, before you do anything else, speak to Dom H! He is a PHer and owns www.hackettwatches.com - Many of us have bought multiple watches through him! He did a fantastic deal for me on my BR02-94. Give him a bell ...

To be fair to Dom - even though he could not help me on my prior purchase. He was very helpful over PM and online.

I will reach out to him shortly.

[Adam B]

Dom sold my B&R 01-94 chrono - really like some of their designs, a bit different and different from other watches I have was the appeal.

But it was too big on my thin wrists - 46mm when square is big! A round 44mm Panerai is obviously my limit.

Buy second hand, think full RRP is over 4K but I bought very well £1600 for a year old example, like new off ebay, sold on for £2,000 and so actually made a few hundred. I remember being offered a new limited edition yellow version of some watch from an AD in the sales £2400, for a £4000 RRP watch.

Nice looking pieces IMHO, and good value second hand

Edited by Adam B on Sunday 10th April 12:26

[bobbybee]

B&R 'vintage'
Always makes me laugh, they've only been around since '92

[Fats25]

So a quick update to this thread. I took the plunge and now have myself an everyday watch, that fits perfectly under my shirt sleeves. A silver face BR126 on a Bracelet. A quick wrist check with proof it fits how I want it to!







It is absolutely perfect for what I wanted, and is now my everyday watch.

I did use Dom from here for the purchase, and I have to say it was a pleasure dealing with him. All email communications, confirming he could get the watch I wanted, and by the date I would be in UK. A nice and easy transaction when we met at his in Hatton Gardens, and a very quick refund of the VAT once I got the forms back to him. All in all a very pleasant experience, and when the time comes that I decide to do more man maths for another watch, he will be first person I go to.

I did have one very strange issue with the watch. After wearing for approx. 3/4 days it developed an issue with time gain. It was gaining approx. 5 minutes an hour. As I was leaving UK before the B&R service center (which Dom kindly advised me was close by his place, and he would be happy to get them to look at) opened on the Monday morning, I decided that I would have to get out of the country to get my VAT refund, and have to wait until my next trip to UK to get it fixed. As strangely as the time gain occurred, it disappeared. On the morning I was flying home, it corrected itself. Touch wood - it has not done it since in past 2.5 weeks - but I am going to take Dom up on his offer, that when I am next back in UK I will get it in for a "check up" at B&R - just in case anything is awry.

Edited by Fats25 on Friday 22 July 06:16

[Ikemi]

Congrats! That's a really nice piece! The oddity is a bit ... odd? Almost sounds as though the mainspring has become magnetized, but then if this were the case, it's unlikely to fix itself. Get it checked out and hopefully that's all you'll need to do until service time!