Bell & Ross - BR V1-92 and BR V2-94 Bellytanker

Bell & Ross presented two new sport timepieces inspired to the Bellytanker, a racecar with missile-like aerodynamics built using a fuel tank from a fighter plane. Fitted with an engine and four wheels, this tank is transformed into a streamlined racecar which takes part in speed trials on the salt lake flats of the North American West.

The first model is the automatic BR V1-92 Bellytanker which displays the hours, minutes and seconds with a date window at 4.30.

The 38.5 mm case in brushed steel frames a dial whose colour scheme matches the Bell & Ross racer: the metallic copper of the dial echoes the colour of its wheel rims while the black seen on the details of the minute track recalls the car’s nose. Lastly, the ultra-curved sapphire crystal, with its vintage overtones, recalls the round windows in classic plane cockpits.

The metal indices and numerals are appliques while the metal skeleton hands are filled with Super-LumiNova, so that they remain visible at night.

The BR-CAL.302 movement beating at 28,800 vph and offering 41 hours of power reserve is protected by a solid case back featuring an engraved profile of the Bellytanker.

Completed by a dark brown leather strap is aged for a vintage look, the BR V1-92 Bellytanker is a limited edition of 500 pieces. Price: Euro 2,300.

The BR V2-94 Bellytanker is a chronograph with two counters: a 30-minute counter at 9 o’clock and a central 60-second counter. The date sits between 4 and 5 o’clock.

The "Panda" dial, so-called because of the contrast between the black counters and gold dial, uses the colour scheme of the Bellytanker.

The 41 mm case is crafted from satin-finished polished steel and features a fixed bezel with a tachymeter scale, enabling the speed of a racecar to be calculated at any time. The crown and push buttons are screw-down for improved water-resistance.

The sapphire case-back allows glimpses of the chronograph mechanism’s gear train. The 4 Hz BR-CAL.301 calibre has an autonomy of 41 hours. The version with a solid case back features an engraved profile of the B&R Bellytanker.

Also limited to 500 pieces, the BR V2-94 Bellytanker has a retail price of Euro 3,990 with a retro-inspired dark brown leather strap or Euro 4,300 if matched to a sportier metal bracelet.

Both timepieces are water resistant to 100 metres / 330 feet. bellross.com