Bell & Ross BR02 Steel
- legibility
- wearing comfort
- ease of use of the bezel
- two bracelets provided
- bracelet change is not very easy,
- very small date
- anti-reflective treatment only on one side
| Brand | Bell & Ross |
| Model name | BR02 Steel |
| Reference | BR02 Steel |
| Case material | Steel 316L |
| Case diameter (without crown) | 44 mm |
| Case diameter (crown included) | 49 mm |
| Movement type | Automatic |
| Caliber | Unspecified |
| Base Caliber | Sellita SW200 |
| Functions | Date Hour Minute Second |
| Crystal | Single-face crystal with anti-reflective coating |
| Power reserve | 42h |
| Transparent back | No |
| Lug width | 25 mm |
| Length from lug to lug | 49 mm |
| Case thickness | 15,90 mm |
| Clasp type | Pin buckle |
| Clasp material | Steel 316L |
| Total weight | 162 grammes |
| Retail price USA at May 24th, 2010 | $3,000.00 |
| Comfort (/15) | 13 |
| Movement (/20) | 8.5 |
| Movement Optimisation / Garnishment (/5) | 1 |
| Ease of handling and adjustment (/5) | 5 |
| Movement control proceeded by the Manufacture / horlogical awards (/3) | 1 |
| Power reserve (/2) | 1 |
| Complications (/5) | 0.5 |
| Finishing (/20) | 13 |
| Dial finishing (/6) | 4 |
| Case finishing (/6) | 4 |
| Quality of garnishment / caseback engraving quality (/2) | 2 |
| Crystal quality (/4) | 2 |
| Clasp finishing (inner and extern) (/2) | 1 |
| Functionality (/20) | 18 |
| Diurnal legibility (/5) | 5 |
| Night legibility (/4) | 4 |
| Water resistance (/3) | 3 |
| Strap : ease of size adjustment + ease of substitution (/4) | 2 |
| Clasp : quality and safety (/4) | 4 |
| Additional items (/10) | 4 |
| Limited edition (/3) | 0 |
| Watch delivered with several straps (/2) | 1 |
| Quality of the watch box (/1) | 1 |
| Portability with shirtsleeves buttoned (/2) | 0 |
| Goodies included (/1) | 1 |
| Understandability of the brochure (/1) | 1 |
| Value for money (/15) | 13 |
| When to wear it ? | 20,000 leagues under the sea! |
Bell & Ross BR02 Steel
Overview
After opening the box, we discover a booklet, the watch, a second Velcro strap, and a spring bar pin for changing watchstraps. It’s simple and complete.
The instructions are sober, in 7 languages, with the essentials (features, materials, an instruction manual) but there is a lack of watchmaker information.
Emphasis is placed on pressure resistance as the BR02 can support a 100 bar pressure.
But what about the dive watch itself?
It’s OK we’re getting to that. It would be hasty to miss it with its 44mm case !
The case
Cushion-shaped, it is brushed 316L stainless steel.
The screws, sides and angles of the screwed on upper part are polished steel. It is a perfectly carried out piece of work.
The two screwed crowns (winding-mechanism and inner bezel) are rimmed with rubber, a nice touch, which improves grip.
On the back, there is the Bell & Ross ampersand logo in intaglio engraving. I like it a lot.
The dial
Legible is the word that best defines it.
An ideal watch to be read at 1000 meters deep, or for those who, like me, confuse their cat with their scarf without glasses.
No excess, just the basics with emphasis on the legibility of the graduations on the bezel.
Another extra : the minute hand is circled in red to make it stand out and differentiate it with the hours.
However, the date is really small and nearly illegible.
The movement
The movement is the Sellita SW200 (an alternative to the ETA 2824) manufactured by Sellita in La Chaux de Fonds.
But is it really good enough to dive with?
The only way to find out, is to test it.
The sea is a bit far from my house, but I do have the tub.
After donning a diving mask and Mapa gloves, I dive in…
Even with all this equipment on, screwing and unscrewing the crown on the bezel is easy. The operation is smooth and pleasant.
As might be expected, the display remains very clear and all the information is easy to see with a single glance.
What to remember
The Bell & Ross BR02 isn’t made to be worn with a three-piece suit.
But at 1000 meters deep, it is in its element.
However, there’s nothing holding you back wearing it on the weekend whilst watching a documentary on sharks…