The Swiss watch maker has updated its Bell&Ross Vintage BR 126 watches replica with this new Bell & Ross Vintage Original BR 126 Chronograph timepiece that now comes in a round stainless steel case.
Although definitely not as hi-tech as Panerai Luminor 1950 10 Days GMT Ceramica (PAM335) model that was also presented at the same industry event in Basel, the watch sported undeniable presence and, what is even more important, was offered at a fraction of the price. Also, the collection’s standard ETA 2895 and ETA 2894 calibers are hugely popular among watch brands and therefore much easier to service (even if you live in Des Moines, Iowa) compared to Panerai’s in-house P.2003 powerplant.
Like Rolex and Omega are mostly associated with all sorts of divers, Bell & Ross specializes in pilot’s and other military watches. In the beginning of the year the Swiss brand has introduced its new Vintage BR 123 Carbon and BR 126 Carbon models, where “carbon” in B&R’s newspeak meant normal stainless steel with matte black PVD coating.
The mens fake Bell & Ross Vintage Original BR 126 Chronograph watch is equipped with the aforementioned standard-issue Swiss ETA 2894 movement. Although the caliber offers usual tri-compax chronograph functionality and is capable of counting seconds, minutes and up to twelve hours, the watch features a bi-compax dial layout with a 30-minute chronograph totalizer at 9 o’clock and a small seconds hand at 3 o’clock.
As usual, the watch also features a round small date window between 4 and 5 o’clock.
The 12-hour sub-dial, which is usually located at 12 o’clock, was for some reason removed. Perhaps, somebody at B&R decided that this kind of trick will make the watch look even more vintage than it actually is, maybe even resembling the new ultra-luxury Vacheron Constantin Patrimony Traditionnelle chronograph.
Although the version with a black dial sports high-contrast and, hence, more legible layout, I would surely prefer the beige one. Its off-white dial provides the BR 126 Chronograph with that lovely vintage look of the models from the 1940s. If you will manage to find a worn look brown leather strap (probably, something like Hirsch Leonardo Medici) similar to that pictured on the promo photos, it will look absolutely stunning.
The 41 mm body comes with satin finish and may look somewhat dull to those more used to dressier watches. However a certain amount of dullness is something that you should expect from just about any military device. I mean, you certainly do not want to find yourself on the receiving end of a shot from a sniper rifle just because you were betrayed by a blink of light reflected from a piece of polished steel on your wrist.
Unfortunately, the convex sapphire crystal stays completely unprotected from occasional bumps and it is only a matter of time before its anti-glare coating will be covered with small but visible scratches.
The major difference between the Vintage Original and the, err, original Vintage BR 126 is that the Swiss made fake Bell&Ross watch comes in a normal stainless steel case.