Author Topic: Bell & Ross vintage GARDE-CÔTES, The Sea Rescuer's watch 10-days hands on experience  (Read 10991 times)

Offline chrisyen

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We all knew This year Basel, Bell & Ross launched its longest series (since 1997)



Vintage - the round case BR watch with whole new designs, 3rd generation of it!

Generally, Design DNA remain, price positioning remain! Comparing to 2nd generation, design to 3 base model
38.5 mm BR v1
41mm BRV2 -92 ( 3 hands with rotatable bezel )
41mm BRV2-94 ( chronograph with fixed bezel )



First impression when I got to play with the prototype pieces was -
Timeless - on its overall look, with slightly smaller and slimmer case !
I will talk further on this if I get to review the first production watches of these 3 BR V1, V2 & V2-94

> 10 days ago I received these pair of the
 GARDE-CÔTES
The Sea Rescuer's watch limited edition


V2-92 - 3 hands model with date on ( non production ) grey rubber strap


V2-94 - chronograph 2 counters also with date on (non production buckle) bracelet

Both are design to pays tribute to professionals who rescue at sea, more specifically for the helicopter pilots and divers!


As expected, BR created both watches as instrument that meet the operation needs of professionals on high sea!



But as a watch lover, I simply love the combination of colours that BR applied on these watches base on metallic grey of helicopter, orange of professionals suit and white wordings. It's just uncommon but so harmony in its combination and easy to match your clothing!



These 10 days, I worn both on alternate day basis all the time... here are some photos I took over these days



Walking around the streets



Enjoying my food



Working in office, visiting authorities, checking out models...


Driving around


Celebration of my daughter birthday


Attended few open house




Exercise





Outdoor leisure with family



Shopping




Business travelling


Watch trade


Watch GTG


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Offline chrisyen

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After 10 days wearing both these watches on alternate day basis, followings are my opinion

Overall Design - V2-92 = 8.5/10 V2-94=9.5/10
Aesthetically, both are timeless with 3 hands towards more sporty especially on this rubber





Movement & Accuracy - 8/10
both are well within +20 after 10 days, I'm not that particular on this knowing both are installed with workhorse movements
V2-92 = BR CAL 302 ( SW300 ) - simple workhorse with some blue screws
V2-94 = BR CAL 301 ( eta 2894 top grade ) - with perlage, CTG & blued screw

Dial & hands - 9.5/10
Matt grey dial with white superluminova (C1)
markers are sharp clear, lume is decent, highly legible!




Hour telling hands filled with superluminova while Chrono hands painted orange.
The disc date is also painted Matt grey
Attention on details made different!

Besides that, I really love the new arrow big Chrono second for  V2-94 or V2-92 centre sweep



Bezel - 7.5/10
At this price point, with today technology, we expect more durable bezel insert instead of anodised aluminium, e.g. Sapphire/ceramic. I do love the pulsometer scale on the V2-94, it's useful for rescuer... also for us!


V2-92 bezel is unidirectional with 60 clicks, it's meant for diver, it's too plain to my liking and no minute markers, however the grip is good, turning is nice and crisp!

Case - 8.5/10
Love this thin case with much shorter and rounder lugs.

BR V2-92
BRV 123 officer

Both V2 are 41mm in diameter!
It's Very comfortable on wrist and its look bigger
Many ppl belief the huge watch trend is ending, 38- 42mm men size is evergreen


The gap between strap and case is reduce by far,


The new screw lock pusher and crown guard definitely lifted the BR V2-94




Both fitted with screw in crown and WR rated 100m, hence suitable for ur active lifestyle

Strap / bracelet  - 9.5/10
One of the biggest surprise is the improvement on both the rubber strap and bracelet



The new bracelet is definitely looks 70s and timeless.


In comparison with grand seiko bracelet from the side, the shorter link with 3 pin bar adjustable holes, no half link needed, this is definitely something I prefer!


Rolex oyster bracelet
BR V2 bracelet


BR V2 vs Rolex buckle,
I reserve my comments here because I was told that the production watch buckle is more impressive and better finishing, stay tuned!


The new rubber strap and buckle are equally impressive


The buckle is one of the fine example for all!
No sharp edges, well curved, good for thick strap


One of the most comfortable rubber strap I ever wear, it's so easy to buckle n wear on n take off!

Hopefully the production black tropic strap is as good


Summary
I can see BR is putting in a lot of effort in this vintage series, after years of overshadow by its square watches!

I personally like the V2-94, simply love the design and built quality! I knew I will have one one day !



I will update the post when ever I receive information on its final production design, retail pricing and availability in Malaysia

Tq for reading


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Offline chrisyen

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Offline WengCChooi

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I like the orange chrono V2-94 too.  Yes, Please update the pricing.

Offline jimmyang

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Great review and wonderful pictures.
IG : watchstories.my

Offline chrisyen

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I like the orange chrono V2-94 too.  Yes, Please update the pricing.

Retail on bracelet ard 20k
Was told the buckle is updated
So street price will be competitive




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Offline chrisyen

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Great review and wonderful pictures.

Tq

In fact it's the watch that is wonderfully design
All photos shot by my iPhone 6s+




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Offline chrisyen

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Side by side with the evergreen submariner
Shin like a star


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Offline chrisyen

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The production buckle
Upgraded




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Offline watchgymfreaks

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my bell and ross has been working well since 5 years
no probkens at all so far ;-)

Offline chrisyen

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Offline everardchin

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Really nice watch  :Cheers:

Offline sidestreaker

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Nice review of a great pilot chrono. B&R is really upping its game here.

p/s- love the Wotancraft Ryker bag as well. I'm loving mine too!

Offline chrisyen

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Nice review of a great pilot chrono. B&R is really upping its game here.

p/s- love the Wotancraft Ryker bag as well. I'm loving mine too!

Thnx
I’m big fan of wotancraft beg


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Offline cooper28

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Nice watch with nice food....nice pictures

Offline ver1600d

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B&R are masters of cool designs and I really like the color scheme, especially the chrono which seems like a updated Omega Seamaster. However, the chrono uses a modified industrial supplied ETA movement, which will dilute its prestige as a collectible in the long run.

Offline FengYuTong

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BnRs are another collections that many people long to have and i insist to have at least one in your collections should you are a watch fanatics.