The Manual Wind: Bell & Ross BR123 GMT

By Ian Schwam Published July 29, 2014

With the demand for vintage watches climbing a steep incline, brands are shamelessly emulating the classics. Not only are manufacturers digging up their own past, but other brands are stepping in and seeing whose past they can exploit as well. One example of this is the just released Bell & Ross BR123 GMT 24h. Though very classic in design, where do you get the nerve?

BRV123_GMT — Image used with permission by copyright holder

The BR123 GMT sticks to the classic Bell & Ross vintage with its dial, case, and crystal but adds one major element; the distinct GMT hand. This hand, made famous by Rolex, cannot be overlooked. Large and orange, it made the Rolex Explorer 2 the collector piece it is today, and continues to hold consumer attention in the current model Explorer 2’s.

Recommended Videos

Nevertheless, Bell & Ross has constructed another affordable timepiece that I still cannot hate on. 42mm in diameter, this high polished case with a brushed bezel bearing the 24H markings is well sized for casual dress and sport alike. A matte black arabic dial lies above the ETA 2893 automatic movement, which can be viewed through a sapphire exhibition case back. Offered with both a steel bracelet and rubber strap for true versatility, this piece comes in just under $4,000.

I do not know if honor and originality crossed the minds of designers at Bell & Ross when constructing this one, but I thank them for offering us that famous GMT hand at a price we can stomach.

Topics

Watches

Former Digital Trends Contributor

Contributing writer and watch enthusiast Ian Schwam dons an expert knowledge of all things watches. Having spent a decade in…

Fashion & Style

Audemars Piguet unveils the dazzling 38mm Code 11.59 Flying Tourbillon

A Code 11.59 with a selfwinding flying tourbillon

Code 11.59 Selfwinding Flying Tourbillon

Audemars Piguet gave the Code 11.59 a beautiful retouch that takes it to the next level: the 38 mm Code 11.59 by Audemars Piguet Selfwinding Flying Tourbillon.

Every single element on this model, from the casing to the lug, screams luxury. For starters, the lugs are accentuated by brilliant-cut diamonds of multiple sizes. Audemars Piguet also set some diamonds on the casing to complete the whole look.

Fashion & Style

Citizen Tsuyosa 37mm: Retro vibes meet modern style in a compact design

Smaller Citizen Tsuyosa timepieces

Citizen Tsuyosa 37mm

Smaller case sizes are trendy, and every brand wants a piece of the pie.

Citizen just rolled out new Tsuyosa timepieces, designed to keep up with the changing times. While the brand worked on 40 mm Tsuyosa watches, it is now downscaling the size, just a little bit, to 37 mm. Thanks to its striking colors, the Tsuyosa collection has dominated the industry in the past two years. Well, this is the perfect time to take over again with a watch that has a compact size. Even though this watch is smaller than the 40 mm version, it still sits perfectly on the wrist.

Fashion & Style

Sorel, Madeira, and bourbon? Bardstown says yes with this Manhattan riff

This unusual recipe shows off the French Oak finish of a fine bourbon

Bardstown Bourbon Communion Cocktail

Bardstown is going bold with its latest cocktail offering -- the drink stars the bourbon brand's new release, its Cathedral French Oak bourbon. It also makes use of Sorel Liqueur, a hibiscus-flavored liqueur inspired by the traditional Caribbean tea drink. Hibiscus is a great ingredient to incorporate into cocktails, as it has both a sharp, berry-like quality and a floral softness, and Sorel incorporates ingredients like ginger, cassia, and cloves as well as hibiscus to give the liqueur a spicy note.

There's also Maderia in this cocktail, which is a much-maligned wine style but one that's becoming increasingly popular in cocktail circles, where its fortified nature and bold sweetness make it an interesting substitution for vermouth. In fact, this cocktail is really a kind of Manhattan variation, with bourbon rather than rye, the addition of a floral liqueur, and the use of Maderia in place of the vermouth.