In titanium this BR01-94 Pro is light, but not ultra light given the size of the case. Perhaps in steel it would prove unwieldly to some. I like the very sharp angles cut in the bezel as well the brushed finishing on the surfaces of the case. By the way, if you don’t dig the carbon fiber of the dial, there is a similar dial in a matte gray that doesn’t look too bad.
As a chronograph, the subdials are nicely incorporated for legibility, but it is obvious that the case is much larger than the movement. I do wonder what the dial would have looked like if Bell & Ross had a larger diameter movement with sub dials that could better fit the case. I believe there is a larger Valgranges movement produced by ETA, but they are quite rare to see actually. With that said, the BR01-94 Pro Titanium Carbon Fiber includes a Swiss ETA 2894 automatic chronograph movement. Don’t miss the round date window located between 4 and 5 o’clock.
Bell & Ross gets a lot of heat from certain collectors and others love the brand. I personally find it difficult to understand how this is a polarizing brand. Sure they have some polarizing pieces, when it comes to reasonable stuff, Bell & Ross is produces a lot of it. Though with a piece like the BR01-94 Pro I can see how people can love or hate this watch that looks like it was meant to go on people who operate mechanized implements of war.
Some of the details on the watch I like include the rectangular chronograph pushers, textured crown, and relatively thin case profile. This is a watch that could have been taller, and thankfully it is not. While I don’t think Bell & Ross is producing the BR01-94 Pro Titanium Carbon Fiber any longer, I am sure you can still find a few here and there. A few years after its debut, the piece certainly feels more like a “then” product than a “here and now.” There is a slightly over-the-top, non conservative quality that doesn’t jive perfectly with today’s watch market. See how things can change in just a few years? Nevertheless, I still find it to be a fun timepiece. Retail price is $7,500. bellross.com
Necessary Data
>Brand: Bell & Ross
>Model: BR01-94 Pro Titanium Carbon Fiber
>Price: $7,500
>Size: 46mm
>Would reviewer personally wear it: Yes
>Friend we’d recommend it to first: Guy who has bumper sticker that reads “my other car is an Abrams tank.”
>Best characteristic of watch: Well proportioned given the large size. Makes good use of titanium and carbon fiber with legible dial.
>Worst characteristic of watch: Expensive, and with a design that doesn’t lend itself to daily wear.
