For those that are familiar with Bell and Ross watches will know that they are no strangers to automobile-inspired timepieces. From the Aero-GT to the B-Rocket watches, the Swiss manufacturer seem to be obsessed with designing watches influenced by futuristic and powerful machines – and we have no problem with this whatsoever! This year we were incredibly excited when they revealed their new Bell and Ross V2-94 Bellytanker watch.
The term Bellytanker originally referred to a post WWII practice when an emergency drop tank was fitted into the belly of fighter planes. But when the war was over the word took on a second meaning, the nickname for high speed race cars made directly from these spare tanks. It all started when an American named Bill Burke decided to build an ultra-fast automobile to compete on the salt flat races. As a veteran himself, he believed that the fighter plane drop tanks would make his speed machine exceptionally aerodynamic. His idea proved effective and along with a powerful V8 engine he managed to build an incredibly fast machine.
Inspired by this fantastic story, Bell and Ross watches decided to create a Bellytanker of their own in the shape of the Bell and Ross V2-94 Bellytanker watch. It’s stunning gilt metallic copper dial and black minute track is reminiscent of the copper finish on the race car rim’s and the black detailing on the car’s nose. These striking details give the timepiece a vintage feel while the black chronograph dials give a contemporary contrast.
The dial of the Bell and Ross V2-94 Bellytanker watch is decorated with sleek steel hands and indices, the hands coated with Super-LumiNova while the date feature at 4 o clock has been chosen perfectly proving not too large and blending in nicely with the rest of the dial. We also particularly like the subtle fighter jet motif as a counterweight on the chronograph hand.
The Bell and Ross V2-94 Bellytanker watch boasts a nicely sized 41mm satin polished stainless steel case paired with an oversized steel bezel detailed with a tachymeter scale. Inside the case and under a beautifully decorated case back is the BR-CAL.301 automatic movement based on the ETA 2894-2 calibre. It equips the timepiece with a small seconds, 30 minutes counter, date window and a power reserve of 42 hours.
Available on both a stainless steel bracelet and brown leather strap, the Bell and Ross V2-94 Bellytanker watch is available to order now. With a limited number of only 500 pieces on offer, we don’t expect this to be sitting around for long.
Specifications: Bell and Ross Bellytanker Watch (BRV294-BT-ST/SST/BRV294-BT-ST/SCA)
- Case Size: 41mm
- Case Material: Satin polished stainless steel
- Bezel: Steel with tachymeter scale
- Glass: Sapphire crystal
- Water Resistance: 100 metres
- Crown: Screw in
- Case Back: Sapphire crystal with special decoration
- Movement: BR-CAL.201 Automatic
- Functions: Hour, minutes, small seconds, date at 4 o clock, chronograph with 30 minutes counter
- Power Reserve: 42 hours
- Strap: Available on stainless steel bracelet or brown leather
- Limited Edition: 500 pieces
- RRP: £3,650 (Steel), £3,400 (Leather)
