Bell & Ross has long been known for creating timepieces suited for professional use, often with military specifications. This year, in this same spirit, the company is paying tribute to sea-rescue professionals, specifically helicopter pilots and divers, with two new watches. This Garde-Côtes series, based on the Vintage collection, comprises the BR V2-92 in two variations, and the BR V2-94, also in two variations.
The Bell & Ross BRV2-94 Garde-Cotes, chronograph model with steel bracelet.
The three-hand 41mm BR V2-92 is in satin-polished steel, with a rotating steel bezel and an anodized black aluminum ring, an orange 60-minute scale and a screw-down crown. The gray dial has central hours, minutes and seconds, and the date appears in a window between 4 and 5 o’clock. The large Arabic numerals at 3, 6, 9 and 12 o’clock ensure easy reading under any condition, and both the numerals and indexes feature white Superluminova, as do the hour and minute hands. Inside is the automatic BR-CAL.302 visible through the caseback. The BRV-92 comes on a steel bracelet or a rubber strap.
The new Bell & Ross BRV-92_Garde-Cotes
The BR V2-94 features hours, minutes, small seconds at 3 o’clock, and the date between 4 and 5 o’clock, while the chronograph’s 30-minute timer is at 9 o’clock, with central chronograph seconds. The functions are driven by the automatic BR-CAL.301, which is visible through the caseback. The gray dial’s Arabic numerals and indexes feature white Superluminova, as do the hour and minute hands. The 41mm satin-polished steel watch has a steel bezel with an anodized black aluminum ring and pulsometer scale. The watch is fitted with a satin-polished steel bracelet or a black rubber strap.
In further tribute to their origins and purpose, the crystal casebacks of both models are engraved with the symbol of sea rescuers: the buoy and the anchor. And the orange accents on the watches recall the suits worn by professional divers on their missions. Prices: $2,900 to $4,600.