Bell & Ross Vintage V1, the new size? Or back to old size?

[chrisyen]

This year Basel, one bold step from BR wasn’t just to redesign the vintage line but to reduce its size!

The obvious one is the V1.... 38.5mm
So I was thinking, is that back to the old size?
Or it’s the new size?

Wristwatch has always been luxury products, big brands are showing how capable they are into making smaller and thinner beside complications.

Since the panerai brand promoted by Stallone, the big watch trend is dominating the market...  44-48mm is a common size.
Even the conservative Rolex responded with the 41mm datejust ii


36mm has always been Rolex men size, so as the daydate!


So question remain, 38.5mm the new size? Or back to old size... or it’s the unisex size ?


Anyway, I been wearing all the 3 variants over the last 10 days! Having the V2 41mm Garde-cotês for some times now, which I review here

http://www.malaysiawatchforum.com/index.php?topic=18659.0


I must say first impression of the V1 is small, I used to hear this from with the Paneristi, once you wear big! It’s hard to go back! I do wear big watches for last 10++ yrs


With 10.75mm thick, basically it’s no feeling on my wrist, it’s been sometimes I nvr wear a watch that can hide from my sleeve ! Lol


Getting use to the size has been in my thought last few days.



I think I hv the answer... it’s a normal size! This isn’t design as the oversize sport watches we been used to wear last few yrs!
It’s just back to the normal
It’s very very comfortable on your wrist
It’s not tough tool watch, so it’s suit a less active lifestyle like other leather strap watch!
I guess im fine with it, partly thanks to the highly legible dial by Bell & Ross!

Besides the size,


The pin buckles is finely made, no sharp
Edges at all


Leather strap is handmade, calf skin, comfy!



All Solid caseback with belly tanker get a special engraving


Non screw in crown with 100m wr


With BR, u hv 3 variants now, so there will be sure a style or color u like


Dome Sapphire glass

Fitted with workhorse selita movement, it’s well price at rm9,600 for the nonlimited
And the belly tanker is price at Rm11k

Err... my personal favourite at first sight
Military type - love the MT in red at 6


However many think BR Shd hv make this MT without the date, I must agreed this date window position is definitely poor from design perspective

After some times, this belly grow on me

The gold color disc date is matching the dial quite well


The brushed finished on the oversize 3,6,9,12 hour marker is reflecting at most angle!










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[mongourou]

I’m very critical of B&R in general but I must say I like those three tool watches. The only thing killing it for me is the date. Wrong location, cutting the 2 and 5 on one of the model and way too inside the dial because of the base Sellita SW300-1 used. At 25.6mm in diameter, it is still too small even for a 38.5mm watch. Without it I could have been tempted.

Well done B&R!


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[dualcarb]

I have never quite understood the need for big huge watches. Always been wearing them at 40mm or smaller. It’s nice to see that the market is finally starting to understand that big watches don’t go well with shirts and ties. Even while wearing something casual smart, a watch that is 38mm is still fine and doesn’t at all look out of place. Lovely watches by B&R...

[danslater]

like the BRV2 94

[chrisyen]

I’m very critical of B&R in general but I must say I like those three tool watches. The only thing killing it for me is the date. Wrong location, cutting the 2 and 5 on one of the model and way too inside the dial because of the base Sellita SW300-1 used. At 25.6mm in diameter, it is still too small even for a 38.5mm watch. Without it I could have been tempted.

Well done B&R!


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Good to be critical
I too find the date is bit odd for the military type
But on other dial is ok, small window, same color!
Most watch brand will hv date to sell better

Just like I too love the longines Legend diver n cezh pilot with no date design But they still hv it



I always like my pilot watch with no date



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[chrisyen]

I have never quite understood the need for big huge watches. Always been wearing them at 40mm or smaller. It’s nice to see that the market is finally starting to understand that big watches don’t go well with shirts and ties. Even while wearing something casual smart, a watch that is 38mm is still fine and doesn’t at all look out of place. Lovely watches by B&R...

It’s not a need for big watches
Just trend & fashionable

Everything hv trend
From design to color

Car also same
From nobody want white to so popular
From aerodynamic round edges to muscular

When I intended to write about this watch
The size is the main thing I’m highlighting
Is 38.5mm the correct size?
Bcoz most watches on the market with little sporty looking is still much bigger than this
Even Rolex upsizing!



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[chrisyen]

like the BRV2 94

This is definitely the most appealing one this year
Despite smaller the size than the discontinue generation2
It’s still look the same


Love the new screw lock pushers n crown guard




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[dualcarb]

I agree that even Rolex is upsizing to meet market demands. However, they also have watches that remain true to their roots and kept them at a very sexy 36mm. Sports watches like the submariner, GMT and Daytona remains at 40mm. Which makes me a very happy man indeed. Even IWC has downsized it’s mark 18 to 40mm.

[chrisyen]

I agree that even Rolex is upsizing to meet market demands. However, they also have watches that remain true to their roots and kept them at a very sexy 36mm. Sports watches like the submariner, GMT and Daytona remains at 40mm. Which makes me a very happy man indeed. Even IWC has downsized it’s mark 18 to 40mm.

Yes. Rolex is smart to introduce datejust ii at 41mm
Later refine it to look smaller with dj41
At same time keeping it 36mm men size
So as the daydate

Other 40mm sport watches as u mentioned
Keeping it at same size and upgrading it to more solid n wider n thicker lugs




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[dennis.T]

38mm will be the new 36mm... somehow I still fancy those 36-38mm watches...cause I have a thin wrist..

[DylanHong]

This year Basel, one bold step from BR wasn’t just to redesign the vintage line but to reduce its size!

The obvious one is the V1.... 38.5mm
So I was thinking, is that back to the old size?
Or it’s the new size?

Wristwatch has always been luxury products, big brands are showing how capable they are into making smaller and thinner beside complications.

Since the panerai brand promoted by Stallone, the big watch trend is dominating the market...  44-48mm is a common size.
Even the conservative Rolex responded with the 41mm datejust ii


36mm has always been Rolex men size, so as the daydate!


So question remain, 38.5mm the new size? Or back to old size... or it’s the unisex size ?


Anyway, I been wearing all the 3 variants over the last 10 days! Having the V2 41mm Garde-cotês for some times now, which I review here

http://www.malaysiawatchforum.com/index.php?topic=18659.0


I must say first impression of the V1 is small, I used to hear this from with the Paneristi, once you wear big! It’s hard to go back! I do wear big watches for last 10++ yrs


With 10.75mm thick, basically it’s no feeling on my wrist, it’s been sometimes I nvr wear a watch that can hide from my sleeve ! Lol


Getting use to the size has been in my thought last few days.



I think I hv the answer... it’s a normal size! This isn’t design as the oversize sport watches we been used to wear last few yrs!
It’s just back to the normal
It’s very very comfortable on your wrist
It’s not tough tool watch, so it’s suit a less active lifestyle like other leather strap watch!
I guess im fine with it, partly thanks to the highly legible dial by Bell & Ross!

Besides the size,


The pin buckles is finely made, no sharp
Edges at all


Leather strap is handmade, calf skin, comfy!



All Solid caseback with belly tanker get a special engraving


Non screw in crown with 100m wr


With BR, u hv 3 variants now, so there will be sure a style or color u like


Dome Sapphire glass

Fitted with workhorse selita movement, it’s well price at rm9,600 for the nonlimited
And the belly tanker is price at Rm11k

Err... my personal favourite at first sight
Military type - love the MT in red at 6


However many think BR Shd hv make this MT without the date, I must agreed this date window position is definitely poor from design perspective

After some times, this belly grow on me

The gold color disc date is matching the dial quite well


The brushed finished on the oversize 3,6,9,12 hour marker is reflecting at most angle!










Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Very much appreciate your sharing !!

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[dpkong]

Every time you review one, it looks so attractive and the pictures are tempting. But at the outlet in Pavilion it just doesn't attract as much.

And the salespeople don't even try to sell you a watch and give a look that the sooner you leave the better for them to continue playing with their handsets.

[Cocas]

The B&R new models here have special finishing on the hands.

It's totally uncommon. It seems blazingly sparkling when view at certain angle.

Nice!

[chrisyen]

Every time you review one, it looks so attractive and the pictures are tempting. But at the outlet in Pavilion it just doesn't attract as much.

And the salespeople don't even try to sell you a watch and give a look that the sooner you leave the better for them to continue playing with their handsets.

Serious bro?

Sound like I’m a good sales person now!

Hopefully your reply read by FJ Benjamin


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[chrisyen]

The B&R new models here have special finishing on the hands.

It's totally uncommon. It seems blazingly sparkling when view at certain angle.

Nice!

BR design is on legibility
Due to their instrument DNA

Some hands are steel / white / luminous
Some are brushed finish to hv good reflections at many angle


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