Variety Watches

Bell & Ross seems to be coming out with a lot of limited edition watches recently. These new additions, part of the popular BR Collection, are made from carbon fiber and are sports watches. Called BR 01 Carbon Fiber watches, there are two models: one features a three-counter automatic chronograph with date (BR 01-94) and the other, the BR 01-92 model, has a simple time display and sweep center seconds. Both are limited to 500 pieces.

To get inspiration for this sub collection, Bell & Ross looked to materials used in the aeronautical industry. The cases measure 46mm and are made completely from carbon fiber, as is the bezel and the edges. The dial is made from this same material and gives off a visual effect of the case and the dial being one piece. The strap is also made from carbon, this time woven and finished with a semi-gloss that is to the wearer’s wrist with a thick blackened tang buckle featuring the  Bell & Ross “BR” insignia. As with other Bell & Ross watches, the strap can be interchanged with others, which include a variety of options made from calf leather, alligator, or canvas.

Both of these carbon fiber chronograph models run on automatic ETA 2894  movements which offer a offers a rapidly adjustable date function, in addition to small seconds and a chronograph with 12-hour and 30-minute totalizers. The ETA 2894 has been used in many BR watches and “features a convenient hacking seconds function for precise synchronization to a time signal, or another watch.” Both models have a power reserve of 42 hours and are water resistant to 100 meters.

And of course, as with all BR watches, the design of these two limited edition carbon fiber ones is sporty, professional and very cool.  They are very much a man’s watch.

Watch Tags: Bell & Ross, bell ross watches, BR 01 collection, carbon fiber watches, limited edition watches, men's watches, sports watches

In celebration of the 40^th anniversary of the launch of the first self-winding chronograph Breitling is releasing two, limited edition versions of its Chrono-Matic watch, one called the QP and the other called the 1461.

The QP will be released in 125 pieces while the 1461 will be more widely available in a total of 2,000 pieces.  The latter, the 1461, is named after the fact that is features a chronograph and a calendar complication that needs only one adjustment per leap year resulting in a memory of 1,461 days. The QP features a perpetual calendar, made of 500 parts, which beautifully displays the date, day, week, month, season, and moon phase.

The look of both of these versions is inspired by the original Chronomat which came out in 1969.

1969 was a big year for both the aviation and watchmaking industries. Both the first flight of the Boeing 747 Jumbo Jet and that of the supersonic Concorde took place and Breitling created the first self-winding chronograph movement. This invention led to the launch of many collections of men’s watches. Breitling has always made watches specifically for aviation pilots which is why the company’s motto is “instruments for professionals.”

Both the Breitling Chrono-Matic QP and 1461 measure a hefty 49 mm in diameter and feature a circular slide ruler that is also seen in the Navitimer line. Both are water resistant to 30 meters and have a power reserve of 42 hours.

The overall design of both versions takes inspirations from the 70’s but each watch is very different looking than the other. The Chrono-Matic QP is crafted from red gold and comes with a black rubber strap, while the Chrono-Matic 1461 (as pictured in the second image) is made from all steel, including the woven steel Aero Classic bracelet, which gives the watch a retro look.

Watch Tags: Breitling, breitling chrono matci 1461, breitling chrono matci qp, Breitling Watches, limited edition watches, Luxury Watches, men's watches