One of 2017’s undiscovered chronographs, this is worth a look if you’re considering buying a TAG Heuer Carrera or Omega Speedmaster
By Chris Hall

We all know what Bell & Ross makes: square-cased watches with rubber straps, a big raised bezel and a Parisian take on the classic pilot’s watch dial – smart typography, big sword hands and most of the time, all in black. 
So, hold on a minute – what’s this" It turns out Bell & Ross spent a lot of 2017 trying to show the world it makes a lot more than the BR-01 and its derivatives (nothing wrong with them; we put the BR-01 in our list of the best post-1990 watch designs). We had the Horolum and Horograph, and some slightly less surefire hits, including watches with inlaid veneer cases. But the point is: Bell & Ross makes a whole host of good-looking everyday tool watches, and they’re often overlooked. 
This right here, the BR V2-94 Coastguard, is one of the best. Don’t ask me to explain the logic behind the numbering system, but the name is pretty straightforward: it’s a tie-in with the French coastguard (or Gardes-Cotes, if you prefer) who rock this pretty chic slate-grey-with-coral-orange colour combo as they go about their daily work. Naturally, per the marketing materials, the watch has been created to cater to the needs of the men and women who guard the coasts – so there’s a pulsometer scale around the edge for taking heart beat re...