Bell & Ross Vintage WW2 Régulateur Heritage


Bell & Ross Vintage WW2 RegulateurBell & Ross demonstrated its affinity for military and aviation history last year with the release of two timepieces modeled after those worn during World War I: the PW1 pocketwatch and its wristwatch version, the Vintage WW1. This year, the company pays tribute to the timekeepers and navigation instruments of the second World War with its new model, the Vintage WW2 Régulateur Heritage.

World War II bomber pilots and navigators needed a watch that emphasized clear legibility and ease of use even while wearing gloves. Bell & Ross’s new model incorporates several of the solutions employed on timepieces of that era, including an extra-large 49-mm-diameter case; an ergonomically engineered bezel with wide-spaced notches that rotates in both directions; an oversized, grooved crown; and a classical regulator dial, with a large, central minutes hand and subdials for the hours and seconds.

The regulator dial was considered more easy to read at a glance because of the emphasis on the minutes, the most important indicator for a pilot on a mission, who needs to make quick, precise reads of short intervals of time. The legibility of the dial is further enhanced by the contrast between the black dial and the sand-colored hands, numerals and indices. (Click on photos for larger images.)

Bell & Ross Vintage WW2 Regulateur w/jacket

Bell & Ross Vintage WW2 Regulateur black

The case, in stainless steel with a striking, gunmetal-gray PVD finish, contributes to the watch’s vintage look, as does the distressed-look calfskin leather strap. In another aesthetic and functional nod to the WW II-era watches that inspired this model, its case is equipped with moveable strap fasteners that adjust to the wrist for a comfortable fit. Also designed to enhance wearing comfort is the big crown, which is positioned at 9 o’clock, rather than the traditional 3 o’clock.

Bell & Ross has outfitted this vintage military-style watch with a modern, automatic regulator movement by Dubois-Dépraz. The sapphire crystal has a non-reflective coating and the numerals, hands and indices are coated with a sand-colored luminous substance. The case is water-resistant to 50 meters. A retail price of $6,600 will snare you this ticking tribute to the aerial navigation tools of the 1930s and ’40s.

 

Bell & Ross Vintage WW2 Regulateur movement
Dubois-Dépraz made the watch’s regulator movement.

Bell & Ross Vintage WW2 Regulateur white

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  1. Great looking watch, but way overpriced at $6600. Far too many other options at this price point. My guess is that discounters will offer 30% off, and even at that it’s a little high. I know it’s subjective, but they should have priced it around $3500.

    Reply
  2. Michael Deane

    1) – WAY too big……2) Geez, hate to ask a stupid question but how does one tell the TIME? I have to WORK at it?? I think I figured it out but WHY would I HAVE to figure it out?

    thanks,

    Mike Deane in CHI

    ps….I’m a simpleton I guess but give me a simple to read watch at a reasonable size for my slightly skinny wrist….

    Reply
    • Haha very true! Tough to read the time and it’s called an aviatoon watch?

      Reply
  3. todd quintilian

    i have a nice Ralftech Explorer that i am trying to sell. Have any ideas of how ?

    Reply
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