2005: The Bell & Ross BR01
We take a look at the square-cased aviation watch that put Bell & Ross on the map
Since the mid-Nineties, Swiss watchmaking has firmly re-established itself after the quartz doldrums of the Eighties, and rejuvenated a spectrum of ?classics? such as the Reverso, Royal Oak and Speedmaster. But what are the truly modern classics; those born of watchmaking?s ?v2.0? era" Now we have a recent history to look back on, it?s a pleasant surprise to realise how many there are, and therefore how fresh the industry still is, despite its tendency to don the rose-tinted specs.
Bell & Ross?s BR01 Instrument is a no-brainer for inclusion in our Modern Classics series. It certainly helps that Bell & Ross itself is a ?new? brand (in relative terms), dating from 1992 and therefore unaffected by a past and collectors? expectations. But still, this massive (it still feels massive at 46mm) square-cased, cockpit-inspired statement piece was a shock when it appeared 12 years ago, and still retains its impact.
The plan was to turn an aircraft cockpit into a purist?s aviation watch, allowing the Parisian brand to demonstrate cutting-edge creativity beyond a then rather sober oeuvre. In fact, despite the BR01?s deliberate source of inspiration and Bell & Ross?s committed following among pilots and tool watch enthusiasts, it was a new-found crowd of architects and fashionistas who cottoned on most eagerly.
[See image gallery at www.salonqp.com]
Since then, Bell & Ross has ...
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