Among ma
ny fascinating creations seen at Baselworld 2015 this year, Bell & Ross delivered a new concept to time reading with their WWI Edicion Limitada. Turning heads and sparking a new talking point at this year’s worldwide watch event, new automatic watch offers an astonishing 5 day power reserve and a double barrel.
The new Bell & Ross WWI Edicion Limitada watch is a manual wind which draws inspiration from the cigar industry and aims itself at all lovers of the tobacco-based social pastime. As a limited edition to just 99 pieces, the Bell & Ross watch company have once again effortlessly joined classic watch making with extraordinary design creations to provide their wide following of watch enthusiasts with a stunning timepiece, capable of capturing all of the most enjoyable moments in life. Powered by the reliable wound calibre BR-202, the movement contains 34 jewels, beats at 28 800 vph and sits behind an anti reflective and scratch resistant sapphire crystal glass exhibition glass, allowing for an intimate display of Bell & Ross’ most exquisite array of instrumental tools. The un-obstructive view of the beautifully crafted balance cock and three quarter main plate demonstrate the synergistic performance of layered components that lie at the heart of the WWI GRM. Not only is such an opportunity offered on the underside of the watch, but the front of the timepiece also delivers on mesmerizing beauty, thanks to the exposed balance wheel embellished with a Cotes De Geneve finish at 9 o’clock mark – an elegant acknowledgment to Bell & Ross’ finest, high grade materials to power their newest thoroughbred.
To us, the new watch from the iconic WWI collection not only marks the nation’s appreciation for the united efforts of our armed forces one hundred years ago, but captures a number of vintage-inspired elements that have now returned to the market. A 42mm grainy matte tobacco brown dial provides the stage for a selection of breathtaking features chosen by the designers at Bell & Ross watches to captivate and enthrall 99 lucky owners. The eye-catching power reserve indicator positioned between the hour markers of 4 and 6 o’clock, showcases a hand which travels in a slow arc to indicate the remaining number of days left before the watch requires winding. Evoking Latin-American cues and rare colour tones seen on very few Bell & Ross models of the past, the Cuban cigar tones work immediately well with its elegant pebble-shaped casing made from 5N 18 carat red gold, shrouding the timepiece in layers of luxurious splendour. Bell & Ross use the Pilot’s style Arabic numbers to decorate the hour markers of the outer rim, dusted in gold for an extra hint of sumptuousness, whilst the striking red injection to the power reserve “low” en
d and the sweeping seconds central hand, arouses a charming contrast to its reinforced vintage textures. Following an old watch making practice, the end of the second and minute hands have been curved at the tip, reiterating an effect undergone to achieve the dial finish also.
The meticulous and careful attention invested in the new Bell & Ross WWI Edicion Limitada timepiece is an echo to that of fine cigar making. The calibre, case and presentation box – a close representation of the cigar’s filler, binder and wrapper. The launch of the new WWI GRM comes with a pleasant price tag of £15,000 and is beautifully executed on a dark caramel alligator strap which melts into a set of fine 18 carat red gold lugs to match the strap’s elegant red gold pin buckle fasten.
More information on the Bell & Ross WWI Edicion Limitada is to be released soon.
