Bell & Ross has just added two new models to its Bell & Ross BR V2-92 vintage diver line-up, injecting a pop of color and expanding its series of Full Lum dials.
The Release
The BR V2-92 Orange and Full Lum models are the same form as all the BR V2s and the same size as the other divers in the -92 family. A 41mm diameter and 11.5mm thickness has a mostly stain-brushed finish with polished case sides and crown guards, and a polished, branded screwdown crown for 100m water resistance. The bidirectional bezel features a black anodized aluminum insert and surrounds an “ultra-domed” sapphire crystal. The caseback sapphire crystal as well, showing off the automatic BR-CAL.302 movement, which is based on the Sellita SW300-1 and offers a 42-hour power reserve and 28,800 bph.
The dials of the models feature the same layout, with Bell & Ross’ signature 12-3-6-9 numerals, a 4:30 color-matched date, a pilot-style handset, and a black minute track. On the Full Lum, the entire dial is covered with Super-LumiNova C5, while the hands and markers are in C3. It should be noted that while color-matched, the Full Lum date wheel is not lumed. On the Orange, the dial is un-lumed bright orange and the markers and hands are filled with an unspecified compound of Super-LumiNova. The Orange model is offered on a rounded H-link bracelet with a folding clasp or a basket weave rubber strap, while the Full Lum is only offered on the rubber.
Our Thoughts
The BR V2-92 Full Lum expands on Bell & Ross’ fully-lumed offerings, following the 2021 release of the BR V2-94 Full Lum chronograph and the 2019 and 2020 releases of two fully-lumed BR 03-92s (one of which featured a lumed rubber strap, which is just incredible). I won’t deny how cool they look, but it has to be acknowledged that fully-lumed dials are somewhat gimmicky; I’ve seen a handful of them in the microbrand space, but far fewer in Bell & Ross market segment. Functionally, the only thing I’ve ever seen them do is show off dial text, and in some instances (as here) allow for minute-to-minute readability (which I suppose is something). While I believe a fully-lumed dial should be accompanied by solid, unlumed hands and markers for best efficacy, I won’t deny how cool two-toned lume looks.
There’s not much to be said about the BR V2-92 Orange, except that it’s very bright. Bell & Ross says it captures the 1970s and the golden age of skating in California, I can’t disprove that because I wasn’t born, but the golden age of skating started well into the 1980s, so the notion is half a lie. Don’t get me wrong, I like this bold color and how it looks, but the link the marketing team is trying to make seems tenuous at best. If this was avocado green, then we’d be talking peak 1970s, but as it is, let’s just call it a fun color to express your wild side and be done with it (or you can make it your David S. Pumpkins Halloween watch).
Availability
The Bell & Ross BR V2-92 Full Lum and Orange models are available now. Both models are limited to 500 pieces, with the Full Lum priced at $3,800 and the Orange priced at $3,500 on rubber or $3,800 on bracelet. You can find out more information and purchase both via Bell & Ross.