Cortina Watch (Thailand), a luxury watch retailer and distributor led by Krist Chatikaratana, executive director, together with the leading watch brand Bell & Ross, recently unveiled the Bell & Ross BaselWorld Collection 2016 at an exclusive launch held at Marriott Resort Hua Hin. Top executives of Bell & Ross who flew in specially for the occasion were Fabien de Nonancourt, global sales director Paris, and Tong Chee Wei, general manager for Asia.
Bell & Ross Vintage BR 126 Aeronavale, inspired by the blue and gold of aeronautical dress uniforms.
“Bell & Ross is well known for its innovative design inspired by aviation instruments in the aircraft cockpit and the automotive world, combined with the technology and tradition of Swiss watchmaking,” said the global sales director. “Our watch must meet the four basic principles of legibility, functionality, precision and reliability. Every detail has its purpose, its function. This technical precision is expressed through pure lines and timeless elegance.”
The 2016 Bell & Ross collections are created in three themes of Land, Air and Marine. Highlight of the Land theme are the Aero Supercar-inspired BR 03-92 AeroGT and BR 03-94 AeroGT chronograph, produced in limited edition of 500 pieces each. The collection plays with textures, colours and layers resulting in a sharper, sportier and more powerful design. Both models come in polished satin-finished stainless square case with open-worked dials. Hours are indicated by large applied indexes filled with luminous paint. The chronograph model has an inner bezel ring bearing a tachymetric scale, a function serving to calculate the speed of a car. The strap is made from perforated black calfskin with red piping and ultra-resistant black synthetic canvas.
From the Air theme are the BR-X1 HyperStellar Skeleton Chronograph produced in limited edition of 250 pieces, and the BRS Diamond Eagle Diamonds ladies watch. The chronograph model combines lightness and strength through its 45mm case made of polished and micro-blasted grade 5 titanium, while the bezel’s protective insert is in blue anodised aluminium. The dial features a grey-tinted sapphire crystal with blue aluminium tachymetric flange, and blue aluminium applied ring for the 30-minute chrono register with aluminium disc at 9 o’clock. The bi-material strap is made from rubber and alligator leather.
For ladies, the BRS Diamond Eagle Diamonds brings together a number of celestially-inspired details such as the midnight blue dial, gleaming metal indices, and the seven-star diamonds. The gemstones are arranged on the dial in the shape of the Aquila, a constellation located close to the celestial equator. The round dial is set in a square 39mm case. Driven by a Swiss-made quartz movement, the watch is completed with a midnight blue alligator strap.
Under the Marine theme are the Vintage BR123 Aeronavale, and the Vintage BR126 Aeronavale, inspired by the blue and gold tones of the codes of dress uniforms of aeronautical officers. The Vintage BR126 Aeronavale is an automatic chronograph with modular movement, showing a balanced bi-compax layout, while the Vintage BR123 Aeronavale is a more simple edition, with time and small second at 6 o’clock. Both watches come with either a distressed blue calfskin strap or a midnight blue alligator strap.
The BR 01 92 Burning Skull, a new version of Bell & Ross’ iconic Skull range, was also unveiled at the event. The watch features a micro-blasted stainless steel case with tattoo-style engraving on both the bezel as well as the sides. The engravings are hand-filled with black lacquer for optimal contrast. It comes with both a brown alligator and an ultra resistant black synthetic strap.
Bell & Ross BRS Diamond Eagle Diamonds.
Bell & Ross BR 01 92 Burning Skull.
Bell & Ross BR 03-94 AeroGT.
This source first appeared on Bangkok Post Lifestyle.