Bell & Ross released their new GMT model the BR V2-93, a sensible addition to the vintage line. The GMT is available in bracelet and strap and is designed as a classic sports watch. Capable of displaying up to 3 timezones, the steel cased watch is also fit with an automatic movement with a date display, an ideal timepiece for a daily travel beater.
The new Bell & Ross BRV293, an automatic watch with date and GMT display.
The case and dial
The 41 mm watch is cased in stainless steel with contrasting finish. A mixture of satin finish and polished surfaces, we found the steel case and bracelet to be of a well-built and good design. The layout of the watch is very similar to the Rolex GMT or the Explorer II that we are possibly all familiar with. The orange GMT hand especially resembles an Explorer II design. The familiarity makes for easy understanding of the display and most would find the hands intuitive to set. The GMt hand is independently adjustable and can be quickset by the hour. A bi-directional bezel with 24-hour scale is used with a two tone grey and black design indicating day and night hours.
The steel case measures 41 mm in diameter, complete with a bi-colour grey black aluminium bezel.
Unique to this design is the 3, 6, 9, 12 large markers, a design icon of the brand from the instruments collection. The hands as well, with a large sword shape hours and thin minutes hand, and a seconds hand with a counter weight that resembles the shape of a plane, are unique to the brand. The hands and numerals are coated in white Superluminova® for luminosity under low-light conditions.
The Bell & Ross is fit with an raised dome sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating.
The most striking portion of the case and dial is the use of the raised dome sapphire crystal, which resembles vintage plexi-glass styling. The sapphire crystal is Anti-reflective coated which enhances the clarity of the dial. The dial is a mirror polished black dial, that resembles ceramic or lacquer. Overall the dial side is very attractive for these elements the clear crystal and polished dial, which works well with the otherwise more ‘dull’ or better worded, understated case.
Water resistant to 100 meters, the watch which uses a screw-down crown can stay on the wrist even for a swim at a hotel pool.
The 24 hour bezel is bi-directional and can be adjusted easily for a third timezone.
The Bell & Ross signature logo on the stainless steel clasp.
The movement
The watch uses the calibre BR-CAL.303, a self-winding mechanical movement. Expect nothing fancy at this entry level Swiss watch price point, the movement is a stock factory movement which is otherwise not the best to look at but does the job nonetheless. The movement beats at 28,000 vph and has a power reserve of about 40 hours.
The transparent caseback features the automatic calibre BR-CAL.303 movement.
On the wrist, the watch wears slim and looks more subtle without the widely used ceramic bezels on this classic design GMT watches available today.
Concluding thoughts
The Bell & Ross is a nice addition to the vintage sports collection. Overall, the watch is simple and functions as expected, tells the time, displays a date and has a triple GMT display. In terms of wearability, it is highly functional, legible for daily use and good-looking. Stylistically, the vintage cues from the end-link design of the bracelet, to the aluminium insert and raised dome crystal are a nice touch to the modern watch. Water-proof and fit on a bracelet, the watch is ideal for a beater travel watch.
3 Comments
If the GMT hand is adjustable then it is nothing like the Rolex GMT Zof Explorer II. Quite the opposite, actually.
Agreed ! By definition, GMT is fixed, and local time changes….
I live it! I Am trying to buy one!