The New Bell & Ross BR V2-92 Orange and Full Lum (Live Pics & Price)

While many will associate Bell & Ross with the classic square models from the BR 03 collection, or even with the more modern and urban BR 05 range of sports watches with integrated bracelet, the brand also has a classic round pilot’s watch in its portfolio, the BR V2 – which used to be named Vintage in the past. Today, the brand releases two new limited editions, which are based on the same watch, yet with rather different expressions when it comes to the dial. First is the BR V2-92 Orange, which can easily be understood by its name, second is the BR V2-92 Full Lum, the successor to the fully luminescent model presented here, and the latest watch in a collection dedicated to night vision. 

The Bell & Ross BR V2-92 is basically the brand’s all-rounder sports watch. It’s relatively compact yet fairly protected. It’s equipped with a rotating bezel to measure elapsed times. It’s water-resistant to 100m so it can take a plunge. It’s legible and clean, yet has a bit of a retro vibe to look cool for a weekend trip. There have been multiple editions in the past of this watch, including the classic black models, the Military Beige editions, the cool Steel Heritage, and recently the Military Green. Today, the brand deviates a bit from the classic pilot or field codes to offer something that is more about fun and colours, with these new editions of the BR V2-92.

First is the Bell & Ross BR V2-92 Orange, which is all about a bright and sporty colour. Second is the Full Lum watch, which pays tribute to a lineage of watches made to glow in the dark – with examples such as the BR 03-92 Diver Full Lum or the chronograph counterpart of the present watch, the BR V2-94 Full Lum. A few shares specifications first; both models are built around a 41mm case in stainless steel with brushed and polished surfaces. Relatively thin, at 11.50mm, they are protected by a highly domed sapphire crystal that adds to the vintage charm of the collection. There’s a well-integrated crown guard module on the left and both watches are equipped with a screw-down crown, offering 100m of water-resistance.

As said, the Bell & Ross BR V2-92 isn’t a watch dedicated to one specific function, but more a do-it-all sports watch with superior legibility and ease of use. As such, it comes equipped with a rotating bezel with 60-minute scale on an anodized aluminium bezel, but with a bi-directional motion. Even if different in colours, both watches have the same dial design and layout, with the brand’s signature Arabic numerals and baton markers, as well as the pilot-like hands in black, with a generous amount of luminescent material. As always, there’s a small circular date window at 4:30, which is done in the same colour as the dial.

Under their sapphire casebacks, both editions are powered by the same automatic calibre BR-CAL.302, which is based on the tried-and-tested Sellita SW 300-1. It beats at 4Hz and offers about 42 hours of power reserve when fully wound. It is here decorated with a snailed pattern on the bridges and rotor.

First in line in this new collection for 2022 is the orange model, which is entirely defined by the bright colour of its dial. Orange is a recurring colour for the brand and it is now also part of the vintage collection. A bold choice, it’ll be a cool watch for summer, and the brand explains that it has been inspired by the 1970s, pop culture and skateboarders. The Bell & Ross BR V2-92 Orange can be ordered on a braided rubber strap in black, closed by a pin buckle, or on a 3-link brushed steel bracelet with a folding clasp. It will be produced in 500 pieces in total, and priced at EUR 3,300 on rubber strap and EUR 3,600 on steel bracelet.

The second model is the Bell & Ross BR V2-92 Full Lum. During the day, this watch feels relatively classic, with its dial that is done in a very, very subtle and light water green colour. The hands, numerals and markers, all outlined in black, are pale yellow. The result, with great contrast, feels quite classic, even though the colours are rather unusual in watchmaking. But there’s a reason for them to be present on the dial…

In fact, these colours are the tones of Super-LumiNova, as every element is entirely covered in this luminescent paint – Super-LumiNova C5 for the dial, Super-LumiNova C3 for the hands, markers and numerals. Thus, at night, the background of the dial radiates an intense blue, while the hands and markers light up in dazzling light green (note that the present watch is a prototype and the minute hand will be in the same colour as the rest in the final product). This version is only available on a black rubber strap, in a limited run of 500 watches, priced at EUR 3,600.

For more details and orders, please visit the dedicated page on the Full Lum here and the dedicated page on the Orange here.