Bell & Ross Watch is it worth?

[sypuah]

Bell & Ross is it worth for money? I don't know why this brand watch can sell so high even they don't have in-house movement. Is it because the military watch and the special design?

[notmanic]

don't get me wrong, i like some of their designs but it is as far as i would go as the price can't really justify a purchase... but to each its own... came across excerpt below from askmen's watch snob:

Question:
I own a two-tone Nautilus that I inherited from my grandfather a few years ago. I love it, not only because it's a great watch, but because it also has sentimental value. Although it's a sports watch, as you mentioned in a previous post, I try not to use it too much. Recently, I've been looking at other more rugged watches. I really like the square Bell & Ross watches, but my dad, who is more of a watch snob, says it's tacky. What do you think?
 
Answer:
You grandfather’s Nautilus is a classic, cherish that. On to the Bell & Ross: They are good-looking watches and I know many people like them. However, they do something that is almost inexcusable in the eyes of the Watch Snob. Bell & Ross is a prime example of a company that is selling nothing more than a cool-looking case and a dynamite marketing plan. Every single one of its watches use nothing more than a stock, off-the-shelf ETA automatic movement, the same movement you can buy yourself for around $300. Yet, the price of the average Bell & Ross hovers around $4,500.

You tell me: Are you OK paying that much money knowing how much the movement costs and that it’s not even its own? Hell, even its $163,000 Tourbillon Phantom watch uses a movement bought from somebody else.

Watches are as much a craft as they are an accessory, and while I don’t find the looks of the Bell & Ross line to be tacky like your father, I do find everything else about them to be distasteful and utterly offensive. A watch is about the entire package, not just its appearance. Any large watch company not making its own movement is not making a watch at all; they’re just playing dress-up.

Original article here > http://www.askmen.com/fashion/fashiontip_500/528_watch-snob-the-true-value-of-bell-ross.html

[Godzillaz]

Having in house movement inside a watch doesn't guarantee its superiority.

Price is what you pay, value is what you get. Different people value things differently.

While I'm not particularly fond of B&R but I don't find the need to talk down the brand. After all this place to me is more of a watch appreciation forum than a criticize one.

Regard
Tyler

[TheHobbit]

Strong words from the watch snob. Anyway, my take on this? To some, having their own in-house movement is a big deal, to others not so. Why recreate the wheel when it is perfect as it is. There are dangers and associated issues when you design your own movement. And these can bring down your name if these issues appears on watches you sell with your in-house movement.

The ETA movement Bell and Ross use (and many many others) are robust and proven movement. So why not use them? Why not use movements that are proven reliable, robust, accurate and easy to service, as to making your own and have issues and have to worry about after sales service, parts, etc. it is nice to say that I have an in-house movement, but when it fails, getting it repaired is an adventure in its own.

There are lots of parts that makes up a watch, the movement being one of them. What about the case? The dial, the hands, etc? What about the engineering behind the watch itself. Have you seen the engineering that goes into the BR01? Have the watch snob?

I am not defending the price of the watches these company makes. Watches are luxury items, and each of us have our own tolerances when it comes to prices. Willing buyer, willing seller. If you think it is worth the money, go ahead, why not, enjoy the piece. If not, get something else that sings to you at a price you are willing to pay.

[dpkong]

I'm no B&R fan at all...

If a skilled tailor doesn't make his own cloth, does it make the clothes he makes any less desirable?

[sidestreaker]

B&R package an ETA movement very well, IMO.

That's about it.

Like what Watch Snob says, if you're willing to pay that price, then by all means go ahead. Same can be said for other things in life. You'll have to decide if it is worth it or not.

A watch is not just the movement, it's the whole package. At least, you can rest assure you have a well proven Swiss movement.

[TheWatchMan]

B&R may not suit most people but I do find their dials unique. Aircraft instruments/inspiration and bringing it to our wrist is exceptional. The brand has great marketing. If you notice, 5 B&R dials are prominently displayed at the top of this forum. I will have one on my wrist in the future. 

[Yikkie]

B&R does have its own identity and some of their pieces are pretty unique.  The case and dial is very well made.  B&R is priced very close to other brands like Tudor or some Omega that also uses ETA movements.  You would normally need to pay significantly more for a true Swiss in-house movement. 

[danny]

Well proven, reliable work horse ETA movement in a well designed and constructed timepiece. No complaints from me.

[notmanic]

i guess the thread starter knew this topic would be highly debatable but like I mentioned, to each its own... and another example of luxurious retrofitting is Spyker with their limited edition C8's using Audi V8 engines... needless to say, the total car costs more than the engine itself... or maybe the Watch Snob isn't much of an Auto Snob like Jeremy Clarkson???

maybe B&R could limit production of their product lines so that some may find it easier to justify the purchases? at the end of the day, if you can afford it and it makes you happy, pull the trigger! #YOLO

[euclidorus]

Price is relative - we should compare apples with apples, and in this case with comparably designed watches bearing ETA movement to get a better perspective. IMHO, B&R has a justifiable business model (including going the ETA route) given its short history and since its brand is very focused (ie aeronautical and instrument linked) and not for the mass market, I think its price point is appropriate for its target market.

[chrisyen]

with in house movement....

how much is

Seiko 5?
N
Grand seiko?

Both are automatic with in house movement, why grand seiko selling so high?


With eta

How much is

Invicta?
N
Frank muller?

Both in house, y frank muller selling so expensive?

in house = good = expensive ?
Eta = no good = cheap ?

 

Don't be confused! Things can sell must hv reason one...
For BR

- design design design - I love it, some1 hate it... When a strong DNA watch design out, u either love or hate it....
- quality - watch case, dial, hands. Crown, luminous, crystal, coating, etc BR gd? Yes
- trendy - yes, fashionable... Celebrities love it, their fan follow
- package - much better than Rolex right? Extra strap, tools, etc

Pls fall into " myth of in house "

[dpkong]

And since we're kicking down ETA equipped B&R, why not mention Tudor also uses ETA?

[dennis.T]

You are wearing the watch not movement...

[kenixck]

I'm no B&R fan at all...

If a skilled tailor doesn't make his own cloth, does it make the clothes he makes any less desirable?

- deep - 

[watzisname]

Potential for thread of the year 2014? 

I won't buy B&R but you have to admit they do make some good looking watches; especially the vintage series

[dualcarb]

Nothing wrong with ETA movements...only thing is this...do you like the design of the watch? Does it look and feel good on your wrist. I think that lots of watches are not worth their prices and some are really unbelievably great deals. But such are the reality of things...what may seem cheap to me might be not worth the price for you. What may be a great deal to you might be expensive to me...

[contender]

B&R is relatively new watch co. but has pretty good marketing behind the brand ... see now is on the forum too displaying prominently, wonder how much is the sponsor worth to the forum. Well done for securing the sponsor/ advertiser.

B&R is one of the Top 10 marketing spender in advertising for their B&R brand.

[notmanic]

Hmm... seems like this thread has taken a life of its own and is focused on the movement rather than the brand... most of the industry uses ETA movements including IWC, and it is far easier to list the manufacturers that don't... no doubts about the capabilities of the movement...

i guess the challenge for B&R is that they're relatively new without as much heritage compared to the likes of the more established brands... and the price points are not to everyone's liking... the fact that we're arguing about B&R shows that they've done something right... if no one's blinking an eye, then they can 'tapau'...

hopefully they will try to manufacture their own movements for the more uptight WIS to take them seriously... this is a case of too many watches, too little wrists... you like some, you loathe some... am sure every watch in the world hopes to find a belonging wrist... Chinese saying (broken translation), "People also got mother that gave birth to them!" and in this case, there was someone who put in a lot of effort and time to make the watch... other than that, live and let live... peace!

[notmanic]

B&R may not suit most people but I do find their dials unique. Aircraft instruments/inspiration and bringing it to our wrist is exceptional. The brand has great marketing. If you notice, 5 B&R dials are prominently displayed at the top of this forum. I will have one on my wrist in the future. 

brand's marketing team fell asleep for the banner above... i want to know where Sans Francisco is...   

[meoramri]

BR02-92 Pro Dial Diver Watch uses a Sellita SW200 movement. No complaints.

[TheWatchMan]

Something to add... I went to the B&R Pavilion boutique in Nov 2013 and the salesperson was very friendly and introduced me some models (limited edition falcon with nice serial no., popular models, and told me some not so popular models). Overall nice watches with really unique identity. At the end he gave me their 2013 catalogue with B&R paper bag to carry around as if I am buying a watch but minus the watch in the bag.

[sniperontheroof]

Well proven, reliable work horse ETA movement in a well designed and constructed timepiece. No complaints from me.

The screws doesn't line up?

[ndtaan]

I've a BR01-92 that I'm using it as a desk clock.
I find that it's quite uncomfortable to wear due to it's large square shape.
The corners tend to get in the way.
However it's a pretty good collectors item due to it's unique design and the aviation collaboration it has with the planes.
So coming back to the question,"is it worth it",I don't know.....it's depends on how you look at it

[Yikkie]

I've a BR01-92 that I'm using it as a desk clock.
I find that it's quite uncomfortable to wear due to it's large square shape.
The corners tend to get in the way.
However it's a pretty good collectors item due to it's unique design and the aviation collaboration it has with the planes.
So coming back to the question,"is it worth it",I don't know.....it's depends on how you look at it

You should have bought the BR03 instead.  Pretty comfortable to wear. The BR01s are simply too huge!