I don't know that the world wanted it, but Bell & Ross wanted to make it. Two new models in the BR01 Airborne collection are about here. Now more expensive, and with diamonds, more of them. Personally I never had a problem with the BR01 Airborne watch, but apparently I am in the minority. There are very few watches that "offended my sensibilities," and this watch is not one of them. I like the whole dedication to American Airborne Paratroopers, and the skull theme. Plus it is based on the unique watch for Only Watch 2009. Hell, I am mostly happy with all watches that have skulls and bones on them, but some people saw this line as being too much a departure from what they expected in a Bell & Ross watch - and that was for the version without diamonds.

In cheerful defiance of those who oppose the concept, Bell & Ross introduces two new versions of the BR01 Airborne watch. The BR01 Airborne 415 & 672 watch models. The numbers correspond to the amount of diamonds on the case surfaces. As you case he there is a version totally covered with the precious stones, and one with just the skill and cross bones outline in diamonds. The face of the skull itself is in white diamonds, while the rest of the shape is in glittering black diamonds. The strap you can tell is galuchat (stingray). An exotic and controversial material which espouses the use of a name to cover up its true character. I must admit that in my decadence loving heart, the gilded watch with its sea creature strap is an oddly appealing novelty. Each version of the new 4115 & 672 Bell & Ross watches are limited to just 99 pieces.

Ariel Adams publishes the luxury watch review site aBlogtoRead.com.

Hamptons, New York in the summer. Wealthy socialites languish until the next high-society event beckons their attendance with promises of culinary delights and an excuse to dress up. This was the scene on July 25th at the Chefs & Champagne event as organized by the James Beard Foundation. The annual gala celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Four Seasons Restaurant with over 30 chefs from around the nation cooking up American delicacies for the attendees.

The goal of the event is to promote American cuisine as well as raise money for culinary education financial aid. The gala included a silent auction to which Bell & Ross donated a BRS watch, in addition to being a sponsor of the event. I know watch companies Blancpain often co-mingle with culinary events and now Bell & Ross is taking part of the action. Being associated with events such as these which tend to draw upon high net worth participants makes for choice marketing grounds allowing potential customers to check out what is new from the brand in person. The ceramic unisex BRS watch was the main attraction for Bell & Ross being a more formal (and "pretty") version of the BR01 watch line. The BRS comes in a very thin and square white or black ceramic case with a quartz movement. I believe that Bell & Ross initially had planned to use a manually wound mechanical movement but opted for the more practical quartz movement instead. As you can see, the watch is available with diamond decor around the bezel.

To show off the timepieces, Bell & Ross apparently hired a few people to stroll around in olive green flight suits - recalling the instrumental nature of most of the brand's timepieces. The people certainly stood out, but likely confused many of the Chef & Champagne gala guests who probably assumed that watch trays they were carrying around actually had some type of military themed hors d'oeuvres. Watches are nice, but you can't eat them, even at a culinary event.

Ariel Adams publishes the luxury watch review site aBlogtoRead.com.

Any conservative people at Bell & Ross corporate needed to simply suck this one up. World famous architect and interior designer Peter Marino recently visited Bell & Ross headquarters to check out their latest watch collection and was apparently quite impressed with the Bell & Ross BR01 Airbone - a controversially styled watch meant to honor American airborne paratroopers.

In some marketing images for Bell & Ross, the oft leather-clad Marino was photographed wearing the square-shaped, skull-faced watch in what will surely be a message to fans of his work, and fans of his wardrobe. At least here in San Francisco I can say that leather-clad gentlemen all around will likely perceive this image to mean that Bell & Ross should be the official timepiece of the leather daddy lifestyle, the black leather lifestyle and look that can't be mistaken for just a biker who has taken the look a bit further. I think of it as the bondage outfit look turned metropolitan.

New York based Peter Marino's designs and work are nothing like how he dresses actually, and typically represent quite comfortable and inviting spaces. His work is actually very good and impressively dynamic. His large portfolio of work includes retail shops, hotels, private residences, and much more. He is one of the most well-rounded architects that I know of today. Select famous clientele include Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Andy Warhol, Giorgio Armani, Calvin Klein, and many more.

Ariel Adams publishes the luxury watch review site aBlogtoRead.com.

Watch bloggers have been all abuzz about the Bell & Ross BR01 Instrument Tourbillon. Bell & Ross, a company which is famed for big square watches that take their inspiration from a plane's clock has joined the rest of the watchmaking world in creating a watch with multiple complications including a tourbillon. The new watch includes a tourbillon, precision indicator, regulator and a power reserve indicator. It has carbon fiber bridges and a black carbon finish. The Trust Index (which had earlier bloggers thinking it might be a thrust indicator) shows the accuracy of the movement in accordance with the tension on the barrels. The watch as white photo-luminescent coating on the hands, numbers and index in contrast with the black dial. The regulator features an hour counter and a large minute hand. A removable caseback reveals the movement through a sapphire crystal. The watch is sold with two straps in rubber and black alligator. Not everyone is a fan of this watch, Chad the Watch Guy likens a tourbillon in a Bell & Ross to putting an Hermes saddle on a donkey.

[via Time Zone]