Get Back To Cool With The Bell & Ross Vintage BR126 Sport
In case you haven’t heard, vintage design is in right now in watchmaking, in a big way. All the major brands have introduced new collections featuring retro-inspired, vintage throwbacks and we have to say we can’t get enough. Think a return to simpler times, classic lines, clean dials and the absence of any color other than black and white. We’re talking James Dean cool, just like this new BR126 Sport from the Bell & Ross Vintage collection.
Good Looks, Good Value
There are no bells & whistles here just a great looking chronograph powered by an automatic ETA 2894 movement. Presented in a polished 41mm stainless steel case complete with a convex anti-reflective sapphire crystal and fixed black bezel that displays 60-minute graduations, the BR126 Sport is familiar without being common.
The dial lay-out is clean and balanced with the two registers at 9 and 3 o’clock respectively tracking 60 second and 30 minute intervals. The white numerals, indexes and hands contrast nicely against the black dial and have all received a luminous coating. Rounding out the design is a small, circular date window between 4 and 5 o’clock.
Presented on your choice of a black calfskin strap with pin buckle or stainless steel bracelet, the retail pricing of the BR126 Sport is also reflective of simpler times at just US$4,500 for the strap and US$4,800 for the bracelet.
The Final Word
Classic good looks and a reasonable price tag make it pretty is hard to go wrong with this new release from B&R. Wear it as your daily with your suit or put it on the winder for weekends on the golf course, either way here’s your chance to get back to cool.
For more information please visit Bell & Ross’ official website: www.bellross.com
Category: Watch Reviews
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Tom is the founder and editor of The Watch Lounge. Together with his team he is dedicated to bringing you the best, original content you won't find anywhere else on the net.Subscribe
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Is it just me or is it strange for a 20 year old watch company to be pimping “vintage” pieces? Not like B&R are the only ones, but certainly they are one of the youngest companies selling $5000 ETA watches with the vintage label, are they not?
I get that they are really only vintage “inspired” but still…this just rubs me the wrong way. Then again, I’m not a B&R guy at all. To me they’re just another company with a really well marketed pseudo-history (i.e. Panerai, U-Boat, etc.) and high prices to make people think they’re getting luxury.
Hi Dan,
Firstly, thanks for your comment
Secondly, I think you make some pretty valid points in your argument but by the same token I think true luxury – as we know it at present, at least – doesn’t really live anywhere close to this price point. These days I think $5k for a well-made, mechanical watch is pretty standard and indeed probably approaching the minimum spend for an entry-level timepiece.
Of course if they were trying to exploit the vintage angle and the bought ETA movement to position this piece at a significantly higher price point than I would suggest there was something very wrong. As it stands though, I think this particular model is probably well-placed amongst it’s peers. That is of course just my opinion and you are more than welcome to disagree with it.
Thanks again for your feedback, hopefully we can keep the conversation going!
Cheers,
Tom