On July 1, Bell & Ross hosted an exclusive event for the #lawatchgang, the unveiling of their B-Rocket. This was a special event for me as I worked together with Robert Kolcon (Western Regional Sales Manager at Bell & Ross) to make this night a reality. Special thanks to Robert, Stacie Orloff (President Bell & Ross Americas), Bell & Ross, and Feldmar Watch Company for the lovely event.
For many years I have been a Bell & Ross fan. Something about their instrument look really sings to me... granted is not a look that everyone understands. Currently I have four different Bell & Ross watches, three 01s and one 02. Yes, Bell & Ross is one of my favorite brands. I believe that they offer tremendous value for the price. They certainly deserve credit for keeping their prices affordable and realistic. Needless to say, I was extremely excited about this night!
I decided to wear my Bell & Ross Limited Edition Carbon Fiber 01-92 on an white OEM rubber strap on this special evening. One of my favorite combos for this watch too.
Not your ordinary evening... just look at the napkins!
Even the coasters were unique.
These gorgeous watches were right in front of the bar for us to enjoy as we ordered our drinks.
Where are the 01s?
BR-03-94 Carbon Orange.
This Limited Edition 03-94 Carbon Orange is easily one of my favorite watches from their Baselworld 2014 releases just because of the black and orange combination. The new orange canvas strap is one of those things that Bell & Ross fans, myself included, have been asking for some time now (more colors of the canvas straps and rubber straps please!). A few subtle differences compared to the 03-94 Carbon remind you that this piece is limited to 500 pieces: orange chronograph hands, orange push button, and their trademark LTD mark in orange as well. Unfortunately, the case is still stainless steel with a PVD treatment... although Bell & Ross did release several 03s with their all new black matte ceramic cases this year.
Looks even better on the wrist.
One of the surprises this year was the 03-90 Steel and Gold pictured below. It has been a while since the last time Bell & Ross released a "white" dial on the 01/03 collections. In addition, this was also the first time a two-tone steel and gold version is ever released on the 03 collection. Stacie Orloff was wearing this watch as well and I must say it looked fantastic on her. A unique and somewhat dressy looking watch that would work well under a suit or with jeans and a t-shirt. The round power reserve is not only attractively placed on the dial, but it is also one of my favorite complications on a watch. The only thing I was not too crazy about was the font they picked for the date display.
BR 03-90 Steel and Gold.
Wrist shot of the BR 03-90 Steel and Gold.
From the BR03 collection.
BR 03-97
The new BR 03 models have undergone an upscale makeover, more luxury, less tool, but just as instrument. The hands have been replaced for finer looking ones and the hour indices are now applied instead of just printed. On the BR 03-97, the power reserve indicator is like the BR 01-97 limited edition models, which I much prefer compared to the half circle ones on the regular BR 01-97.
BR 03-94
And then there were some non-square watches...
Vintage BR 126 "United States".
Earlier in the year Bell & Ross released three Vintage BR 126 Original Carbon watches in homage to all air forces that engaged in World War II. Each version of the watch has on the dial the insignia of the country (France, UK, and USA). And of course the one that was available for us to admire was the one from USA.
PVD case with dome crystal.
My favorite round B&R from the evening? The BR 126 Vintage Sport Heritage GMT Flyback (limited to 500 pieces). 43mm, dome crystal, flyback complication, and gold accents done the right way... this watch was a show stopper. Even my younger brother who is not really a WIS liked this one the best LOL.
BR 126 Vintage Sport Heritage GMT Flyback.
Well executed dial.
Dome crystal.
Wrist shot.
How about this WW1 Guynemer? A tribute to Georges Guynemer (his face is actually engraved on the case back of the watch). Interesting watch to say the least... but not my cup of tea.
WW1 Guynemer.
45mm in diameter.
But the stars of the night were the B-Rocket concept bike and the two watches that were created to complement it. For the first time, the designs of these two new watches were inspired by a motorcycle, instead of the usual aviation instruments.
The B-Rocket watches on display at Feldmar Watch Company.
The unveiling of the B-Rocket.
The new straps on the B-Rocket models are perfect for the watch.
BR 01-94 B-Rocket, 46mm. Limited to 500 pieces.
BR 03-94 B-Rocket, 42mm. Limited to 500 pieces.
This cool B-Rocket balloon seemed to match my watch perfectly...
B-Rocket image on a balloon.
B-Rocket event badge.
And an event like this is not complete without a proper group wrist shot!
Group wrist shot with the #LAWatchGang and Stacie Orloff.
Thank you once again to the entire Bell & Ross team and Feldmar Watch Company for this amazing night. Being able to talk about one of my favorite brands with Stacie Orloff and Robert Kolcon was definitely an unforgettable experience by itself.
