Today, Bell & Ross Replica has unveiled three new models within its neo-vintage BR V2 line, becoming, we believe, the first watchmaker to offer an official glimpse of new products launching at the upcoming Baselworld 2020 watch fair. The three new pieces, the BR V2-92 Military Green, BR V2-94 Aéronavale Bronze, and BR V2-93 GMT Blue, are designed to represent a trifecta of sea, air, and land watches. Each of these models uses a differentiated BR V2 case and is secured to the wrist using a “NATO Stretch” strap with a practical closure system, created using upcycled parachute straps. These three new pieces come as a continuation of the brand’s growing series of vintage-inspired pieces, which have proven particularly popular among fans new and old of the company’s unique style.
The first of the three new watches is the BR V2-92 Military Green (below) — the land-focused member of the trio. This model takes its inspiration from military units, favoring matte colors and utilitarian style. It uses a 42-mm steel case, with crown guards protecting its screw-down crown, and a bidirectional steel bezel with an anodized black aluminum ring. Within the bezel is the straightforward face of the new timepiece, with a simple black outer minute ring, printed white Arabic numerals at the quarter-hour markers and simple lines for those in-between, and a subtle round date window at the 4:30 position. Sweeping over the dial are the brand’s pilot-inspired hour and minute hands, with a simple white pointer used for the seconds counter. Inside this new 100-meter water resistant watch is the Sellita-based BR-CAL.302 automatic movement, storing a 38-hour power reserve. It’s priced at $2,990 on elastic canvas strap, $3,300 on a steel bracelet, and expected at retail in late March 2020.
Flying high we’ll find the air-focused model, the BR V2-93 GMT Blue (below, and at top), featuring — as its name implies — a GMT complication and a blue sunray dial. The GMT Blue uses the same steel case as the Military Green, though this one includes a 24-hour blue-and-gray bidirectional bezel. The dial of the watch uses a similar configuration to the land-inspired piece, using oversized printed white Arabic numerals for the quarter hours and a 4:30 date window, though distinguishing itself with its chronograph-style outer minute ring and small non-quarter-hour markers. The hour and minute hands also use the white Super-LumiNova-filled, pilot-inspired configuration, though now in metal, while a red arrow hand is used in a striking contrast to the rest of the dial to indicate the time on the 24-hour scale. Inside this travel-focused model is the automatic BR-CAL.303, based on the ETA 2893-2, capable of a 42-hour power reserve. The watch will retail at $3,200 on the strap, $3,500 on the bracelet, and will hit stores in February.
Finally we head out to sea to discover the last of the newest replica watches, the BR V2-94 Aéronavale Bronze. This chronograph model is inspired by the ceremonial uniform of French naval officers, from which it takes its name, and is the only limited edition of the three, with 999 watches planned for production. The piece features a bronze 41-mm BR V2 case with screw-down chronograph pushers, as well as a fixed blue bezel with a 60-minute scale. The dial of the watch is somewhat different from those of the previous two, featuring applied, bronze-colored, oversized Arabic numerals at the 12 and 6 o’clock positions, a white outer chronograph minute ring, and subdials at the 3 and 9 o’clock marks for running seconds and a 30-minute counter, respectively. Sweeping over the dial are gilded baton hands for the hour and minute, with another similar pointer used for the chronograph seconds. Powering this model is the BR-CAL.301, another automatic movement (based on the ETA 2894-2) featuring the same 42-hour power reserve as the GMT model. It will be priced at $5,200 and available in late April.
