A second watch
Author
Discussion

toastybase

Original Poster:

2,303 posts

231 months

Tuesday 27th March 2018
quotequote all
Hi all,

For the last year I have been wearing my GMT 2 on a daily basis and love it. I’ve just purchased my second watch as I fancied something a little different and less flashy that would go well with a suit.

I’ve opted for a second hand (2012) Bell and Ross vintage BR 123. I should have it in my possession by the end of the week. Serviced last year.

I wondered what was thought of it here. I do like the non Square Bell and Ross design.

All thoughts welcome, positive and negative.


OGR4M

876 posts

176 months

Tuesday 27th March 2018
quotequote all
Never been a fan of B&R because of their square design - but I do like vintage style watches, especially with a domed glass on them.

In my opinion the numbers are too big, but the off white face and thin markers make up for it, top choice OP cool

lostkiwi

4,585 posts

147 months

Tuesday 27th March 2018
quotequote all
Always been a fan of B&R - especially the BR02.

The BR01 is also nicer to wear than you'd think.

That looks lovely and satisfies the prime requirement for any watch (in my opinion) and that is to be able to accurately tell the time at a glance.

Lovely.

Voldemort

7,201 posts

301 months

Tuesday 27th March 2018
quotequote all
toastybase said:
non Square
The word you're looking for is ROUND.

Nice looking watch: enjoy it. What are you getting for your third?

ZesPak

26,005 posts

219 months

Tuesday 27th March 2018
quotequote all
toastybase said:
I’ve just purchased my second watch as I fancied something a little different and less flashy that would go well with a suit.
And so it starts...

Ikemi

8,610 posts

228 months

Tuesday 27th March 2018
quotequote all
ZesPak said:
toastybase said:
I’ve just purchased my second watch as I fancied something a little different and less flashy that would go well with a suit.
And so it starts...
This! hehe

Fantastic watches; I’m a big fan of Bell & Ross. There is no denying that based on specification, they are quite expensive pieces. However with B&R you’re paying for the unique design, as well as attention to detail. B&R do the latter very well!

Excellent choice, Toastybase! smile

I used to own the tonneau-cased marine BR02-94, which I sold on after 24 months and have regretted since. So I bought a BR03-94 Blue Steel at the beginning of this year!


toastybase

Original Poster:

2,303 posts

231 months

Tuesday 27th March 2018
quotequote all
Ikemi said:
This! hehe

Fantastic watches; I’m a big fan of Bell & Ross. There is no denying that based on specification, they are quite expensive pieces. However with B&R you’re paying for the unique design, as well as attention to detail. B&R do the latter very well!

Excellent choice, Toastybase! smile

I used to own the tonneau-cased marine BR02-94, which I sold on after 24 months and have regretted since. So I bought a BR03-94 Blue Steel at the beginning of this year!

Thats a cracking piece and thanks

sad61t

1,100 posts

233 months

Tuesday 27th March 2018
quotequote all
ZesPak said:
And so it starts...
Indeed, the N+1th

Podie

46,647 posts

298 months

Tuesday 27th March 2018
quotequote all
Voldemort said:
toastybase said:
non Square
The word you're looking for is ROUND.

Nice looking watch: enjoy it. What are you getting for your third?
Hamilton Ventura? hehe

toastybase

Original Poster:

2,303 posts

231 months

Tuesday 27th March 2018
quotequote all
Podie said:
Voldemort said:
toastybase said:
non Square
The word you're looking for is ROUND.

Nice looking watch: enjoy it. What are you getting for your third?
Hamilton Ventura? hehe
Let’s see how this one goes first, I’ve always toyed with getting a Brietling however I think they look better on display rather than on my wrist for some reason.

A ‘low’ price range IWC potentially, since the amazing customer service I had from their shop in Rome years ago ove always wanted to go back and buy one from the nice lady there.

She knew back then that I couldn’t even dream of owning one but still took the time to talk me through the history and try on a few pieces and that got me hooked.

Either way it will most likely mean selling the GMT and that’s something I don’t really want to do for now.

Voldemort

7,201 posts

301 months

Tuesday 27th March 2018
quotequote all
toastybase said:
Podie said:
Voldemort said:
toastybase said:
non Square
The word you're looking for is ROUND.

Nice looking watch: enjoy it. What are you getting for your third?
Hamilton Ventura? hehe
Let’s see how this one goes first, I’ve always toyed with getting a Brietling however I think they look better on display rather than on my wrist for some reason.

A ‘low’ price range IWC potentially, since the amazing customer service I had from their shop in Rome years ago ove always wanted to go back and buy one from the nice lady there.

She knew back then that I couldn’t even dream of owning one but still took the time to talk me through the history and try on a few pieces and that got me hooked.

Either way it will most likely mean selling the GMT and that’s something I don’t really want to do for now.
Toasty - the Ventura comment is from my friendly stalker who is taking aim at a comment I made about a dress watch selection in another thread. What he thinks it brings to this thread is anyone’s guess..?

Whatever your third is, and if that means trading the GMT or not, welcome to the world of watches. The sad truth is that if you are even considering a third watch it’s only a matter of time until you get your fourth! smile
IWC or Brietling? I think all of us could find an individual watch from any of the big watch companies that floats our personal boat and also a piece that we wouldn’t be seen dead in. Sometimes this can be the same model just in different finishes! But it would be a boring place if we all liked the same thing.

I was never a Brietling fan. Then I saw their SuperOcean…


Ikemi

8,610 posts

228 months

Tuesday 27th March 2018
quotequote all
toastybase said:
Let’s see how this one goes first, I’ve always toyed with getting a Brietling however I think they look better on display rather than on my wrist for some reason.

A ‘low’ price range IWC potentially, since the amazing customer service I had from their shop in Rome years ago ove always wanted to go back and buy one from the nice lady there.

She knew back then that I couldn’t even dream of owning one but still took the time to talk me through the history and try on a few pieces and that got me hooked.

Either way it will most likely mean selling the GMT and that’s something I don’t really want to do for now.
Don’t sell the GMT unless you’re absolutely sure; you may come to regret the decision. There will always be keepers and flippers. I’d say it’s best to continue to save for your next piece ... It’ll give you time to focus your attention down to a couple of watches, and it will make the buying/owning experience more fun!

Harrods have always been fantastic with regards to letting me try on watches - I just couldn’t ever buy from them. I always want some discount! hehe

ZesPak

26,005 posts

219 months

Tuesday 27th March 2018
quotequote all
Ikemi said:
Harrods have always been fantastic with regards to letting me try on watches - I just couldn’t ever buy from them. I always want some discount! hehe
There's a lot to be learnt from this one sentence...

Ikemi

8,610 posts

228 months

Tuesday 27th March 2018
quotequote all
ZesPak said:
Ikemi said:
Harrods have always been fantastic with regards to letting me try on watches - I just couldn’t ever buy from them. I always want some discount! hehe
There's a lot to be learnt from this one sentence...
Always ask for discount? Don’t buy from Harrods? In fairness, their fine watch department is a good place to try on multiple brands at once; TAG, Omega, Rolex, Zenith, Glashutte Original, JLC etc ... smile Always accommodating too.

I just buy elsewhere - or call Dom H! hehe

ZesPak

26,005 posts

219 months

Tuesday 27th March 2018
quotequote all
Ikemi said:
Always ask for discount? Don’t buy from Harrods? In fairness, their fine watch department is a good place to try on multiple brands at once; TAG, Omega, Rolex, Zenith, Glashutte Original, JLC etc ... smile Always accommodating too.

I just buy elsewhere - or call Dom H! hehe
No, it's just about the retail in general. People want their cake and eat it - great service and good discounts. The retail store can give the service but not the discount, the online store or the one with a much smaller inventory can't let you try it on but they can give you the discount.

I'm not saying you are doing anything wrong, I'm just saying there's a lot to learn from the statement if you read it.

lostkiwi

4,585 posts

147 months

Tuesday 27th March 2018
quotequote all
Ikemi said:
This! hehe

Fantastic watches; I’m a big fan of Bell & Ross. There is no denying that based on specification, they are quite expensive pieces. However with B&R you’re paying for the unique design, as well as attention to detail. B&R do the latter very well!

Excellent choice, Toastybase! smile

I used to own the tonneau-cased marine BR02-94, which I sold on after 24 months and have regretted since. So I bought a BR03-94 Blue Steel at the beginning of this year!

Thats lovely!

Ikemi

8,610 posts

228 months

Tuesday 27th March 2018
quotequote all
ZesPak said:
Ikemi said:
Always ask for discount? Don’t buy from Harrods? In fairness, their fine watch department is a good place to try on multiple brands at once; TAG, Omega, Rolex, Zenith, Glashutte Original, JLC etc ... smile Always accommodating too.

I just buy elsewhere - or call Dom H! hehe
No, it's just about the retail in general. People want their cake and eat it - great service and good discounts. The retail store can give the service but not the discount, the online store or the one with a much smaller inventory can't let you try it on but they can give you the discount.

I'm not saying you are doing anything wrong, I'm just saying there's a lot to learn from the statement if you read it.
I agree - I always tend to support local businesses where possible! I don’t feel too sorry for Harrods/specific watch boutiques - After all, every now and again they increase the price of their watches by 4-10% ... for the exact same product! Instead, I’ll buy from smaller retailers (or through Dom H). smile

lostkiwi - Thanks! It’s surprisingly dressy for a BR03 model!



toastybase

Original Poster:

2,303 posts

231 months

Tuesday 27th March 2018
quotequote all
Ikemi said:
toastybase said:
Let’s see how this one goes first, I’ve always toyed with getting a Brietling however I think they look better on display rather than on my wrist for some reason.

A ‘low’ price range IWC potentially, since the amazing customer service I had from their shop in Rome years ago ove always wanted to go back and buy one from the nice lady there.

She knew back then that I couldn’t even dream of owning one but still took the time to talk me through the history and try on a few pieces and that got me hooked.

Either way it will most likely mean selling the GMT and that’s something I don’t really want to do for now.
Don’t sell the GMT unless you’re absolutely sure; you may come to regret the decision. There will always be keepers and flippers. I’d say it’s best to continue to save for your next piece ... It’ll give you time to focus your attention down to a couple of watches, and it will make the buying/owning experience more fun!

Harrods have always been fantastic with regards to letting me try on watches - I just couldn’t ever buy from them. I always want some discount! hehe
I know, who am I kidding, the GMT is staying. My heart sank after I typed that out!

Plus as soon as I do sell it’ll double in value for some reason or another

toastybase

Original Poster:

2,303 posts

231 months

Wednesday 28th March 2018
quotequote all
It arrived today and so far I’m very pleased smile

It currently has a black leather strap however a black croc strap was also included, both original B&R






Ikemi

8,610 posts

228 months

Wednesday 28th March 2018
quotequote all
Really nice piece! Congrats! smile