Hands-On: Bell & Ross BR05 - I kind of changed my mind about this one!
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- Опубліковано 28 вер 2024
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Hi Guys,
In November I attended ClubQP which was the small version of SalonQP. Bell and Ross were there with a full range of their new BR05, the watch that I and many mocked - calling it a cheap alternative to the AP Royal Oak. The Bell & Ross BR05 really surprised me, the build quality was amazing.
Let me know what you think of the Bell & Ross BR05
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bell and ross br05 review, hands on review bell and ross br05, B&R BR05, is the bell and ross br05 any good?, cheap alternative to AP royal Oak?, cheap alternative to Patek Nautilus, Cheap alternative to Vacheron overseas, cheap blue steel sports watch, cheap alternative to Rolex submariner. bell and ross br05 gold, bell and ross br05 skeletonized,
I recently bought the black dial version and couldn’t be happier. Would an in-house movement have been nice, yes. But at the end of the day, I love the way it looks, the fit and finish is great and it just spoke to me. I never buy a watch taking into account resale or how others will view it. Get what you like. It’s your money after all.
Feel the same about my Accutron DNA and feel this watch is in that realm of speaking to me. The Panerai watches do the same but this B&R comes in more affordable 😁
I don't know about that watch it still looks like one of those things that give you when your table is ready at the restaurant
Tried the same watches on at the same event. They were nicer than I expected, but I just can’t ignore the price. £4K for the s/s - you’re up against the Rolex OPs, Moonwatch, SMP, basically every Tudor etc etc. It’s a solid £2.5-£3k (max) watch in my eyes.
I own the one with the black dial and I honestly love the design of it. And even the movement is not made by b&r it is still a really reliable movement.... very strong and pretty precise
That rotor is pretty eye catching. It tells time just like a Rolex. I mean is +/- a few seconds per day life or death?
Then buy a casio quartz, amIright?
Completely agree with changing your opinion on a watch after spending time with it. I felt the same about the Jaeger LeCoultre limited edition blue dial Polaris. Wearing it and connecting with the watch’s personality is a very important part of having that relationship with your watch 😊
I appreciate the fact that you revisited your review of this watch AFTER actually trying the watch on. I’m losing interest in watch review hype these days. Just like the Lange Odysseus, people jump on the “bash it” bandwagon before ever seeing the watchCode 11:59 included). Watch manufacturers at least deserve honest reviews. I’ve tried on the 11:59 and it’s an amazing watch with some unique and original style queues. My suggestion would be to hold judgement until after the watch is seen in the flesh. Hard for the internet hype age but it provides the watch community with more consistency and honesty. Cheers!
This is what hype does. For the lack of a better term, people really have a herd mentality. for 72 hours people shat on the Odysseus, but Lange made the smart move of putting these watches into people hands as soon as possible, and immediately these things were sold and people loved it. It's the pros and cons of social media influence.
The 27k Selita watch is the ultimate "I don't care about money watch"
Haha. So true. Maybe that’s the real F U watch.
No. It says ‘I have no fucking clue’
I have a nice collection of watches, including a VC overseas generation two, and a zenith el primero, and I have to say that I love the B&R, i actually bought the one with the blue dial, and I will consider buying the gold one, if the right deal will be offered.
It is, in my opinion, the ultimate FU watch
People always complain that a watch with integrated bracelet looks like an AP royal oak. Well because royal oak is the first one who did it. But doesn’t mean its a rip off... a rip off is looking almost identical, but this i would say is not even 50%. They are inspired by but designed differently. Nautilus is genta’s second take on it, 3rd take, iwc ingenieur, 4th bvlgari octos. The others are to each their own company’s take on it, br05, overseas, alpine eagle, piaget polo s, lange odysseus etc... and i think they are great! Gives consumers plenty to choose from and they are not copies but inspirations and their ‘personal’ take on it. Thats the whole point of having a market economy.
I've been eyeballing that watch and I just can't get my head around it. 5:07 I did buy the all gold blue dial submariner and got it just before the $1,500 price increase. I also got 10% off...so I pulled the trigger. Great watch for $30,000, and also not bad for the retail price of $35,750 if you love it and are going to wear it forever.
being able to change your mind and be able to talk about it is a strength and shows honesty and humbleness. I have had to eat my own words so many times when I’ve seen a watch in person after I hated it in pictures..
so all you trolls please shut the f up if you haven’t actually held the watch, and if you have, let’s have a productive conversation about it.
That said, I really don’t like the what I’ve seen so far of this particular watch 😂
Exactly. 👍🏻🍻
Genta homages
Like this
still show his genius
Despite always finding B&R not to my taste, I think they have done well with this. That said, if I were in the market for a watch of this style (Patek, AP and Vacheron etc.) I’d go for the Girard Pearragaux Laureato. Tried one on in Singapore (where I saw Archie being a normal person) and it is an incredible watch. Similar aesthetics, competitively priced and... available.
I absolutely love this watch.
I saw one of these yesterday and I have to say that it looked pretty nice. Not sure if I'd buy one as Bell & Ross haven't ever "done it" for me....buuuut this is one that I might consider.
I agree! It's a nice watch for sure... but just not my cup of tea. And I think the price point is a bit too steep. Especially for the all gold version - B&R are going to struggle to get those off the shelves. Cheers
I never tried it but I really do like the design BUT that price is really crazy!
It’s funny when you said « why someone would pay that price for that movement » I instantly made the analogy with cars. I was looking for a new car years ago and tested a brand new (at the time) Mercedes. Really nice car, you pay for a premium German car BUT with a Renault engine... why 🤦🏻♂️
This is why the word shitter was invented.
Gold looks fresh
The Chrono is out..😁
I went to the store put it on my wrist and actually liked it a lot.
Ralf Peppekus glad I’m not the only one who changed their mind.
You hit the nail on the head, I feel the same way. Cheers!
There are a lot of different watches I would spend my money on here - not a huge fan - however, I saw a bronze with blue dial once (different model of course) that caught my eye.
Please do a review of the Tissot powermatic 80 vs the BR05 please
I think this watch is a necessary step forward for a brand that hasn’t made forward progress in recent memory. Plus, it’s pretty. Which is anachronistic to this brand.
Can you compare this watch with zenith defy classic 41 mm blue dial?
It has a heavily customised movement
I have some hand on with the watch and it really look pretty nice on the wrist with well made case and bracelet. Nothing much to brag about the movement. My opinion is it is over priced.
I need 10 good reasons to buy this BR05, and I’m still struggling with just one.
Royal Oak? i see more Nautilus in that bracelet but i like it! i would buy a used one or a grey market offering
Hi Adrian, always had hard thing for B&R, but damn I must say that SS watch was really cool, gonna go to a retailer today and check it out.
However what I wanted to say was this: I have a Daytona 116520 from 2011 and when I shake it it rattles A LOT! And when I noticed this I was very scared and thought something was lose inside it. Since it was 2011 it was due for a service anyway so I turned it in to my Rolex AD and had it serviced. I also told them about this issue and asked them to keep an extra eye out for this. And when I got it back from the service it still had this "issue". I asked my AD about it and they simply responded that this was normal. I do have a BLNR and a Datejust II at the moment too and none of these watches has this "problem". What is your take on this, is this something that is present in the 116520 model or is there something wrong with mine?
Worth noting is that it does not lag in time or anything like that.
Best regards,
Chrono Guys
Already seeing the BR05 discounted on the grey market, in some cases quite heavily. No surprise there.
So you say you changed your mind, in a good way or a bad way?
Fair review on the Watch.
Anyone good suggestions for a nice entry level mens watch with some diamonds?
Mate I think it looks really cool I like it!
almost like my Seals model C watch, rock solid too and just 630USD
B&R is badd ass!!!
James May wore one on the recent Seaman special but its’ waterproof seal failed
Want that one a fake?
There's a whole bit in that special where they buy fake watches. Most likely it was a fake one
Chokkan nope, James is known for wearing B&R
I have no issue with Bell & Ross. But it's a bit expensive for the movement it's sporting. I'll admit this one looks cool.
Справедливый и объективный обзор! Спасибо!
rumor has it Aidan is still at Bell and Ross head office trapped in their basement still making videos
on a serious note. great vid. i personally like the skeleton. also respect that you did a vid re your change of mind. takes balls
This is what i felt when the Chopad Alpine Eagle came out - another rip-of. But then I had the opportunity to see it with my fingers and boy it is a great feeling watch. It’s still a rip-of but now I kind of get it after hearing about the history of the brand, the watch in question and having had it on my wrist.
The Alpine Eagle is gorgeous, with its dial and bracelet. People are just too caught up on the Royal Oak and the Nautilus, because that's all the hype these days.
Thank you for this review. Too many reviews putting the br05 in the same league as patek and ap..which is really makes it looks too good. I love the design actually but at this price yes i’d rather get cartier santos which is a much closer comparison! I think BR should be priced closer to Nomos.
Love the look of bell and Ross watches but way to expensive for the generic movememts
and how they say it is overpiced rolex sub mariner and they got the balls to sell a sqaure watch and it is pretty and nice i want other brands to compete square watches i think it coud be a thing
I believe the feelings would be the same with Chopard Alpine.....
I have a recurring nightmare where I’m being chased through the argyle arcade by a horrible big square bell & Ross........it’s horrible 😳
Great video Adrian, still hate the watch, but happy to see you changed your mind! Cool to see that you travel with props for your videos!
For 30k you can get a full gold royal oak with also a way better movement.. Why would anyone choose the Bell & Ross at that price? 4k for the steel might be okay but the yg is just stupid
So... how fat was the check?
I wouldn‘t buy it myself either.
Regards the prices, they are okay in ny opinion. One always have to consider that small production series lead to higher prices.
Therefore the comparison with rolex are often inaccurate, since they have enormous production series.
That‘s also the reason for Selita or ETA movements. In house for small series AND low prices is not possible.
The manufacturers make simply a make-or-buy analysis.
Don't be so inhibited, just tell us how you really feel. :) and cheers mate!
Nice video and I love it when people change their minds. That said I dont understand your comments regarding pricing and an inhouse vs (modified) selitta/eta mvt especially your thought on steel vs gold pricing. That selitta - after miodification costs say 200 ukp, the rolex movement probably 1000 ukp. Therefore the only price difference that can be justified between the watches on the basis of the movement is perhaps 800 ukp. That price DOES NOT SCALE with the price of the watch. Therefore, if the BR05 case/bracelet in steel is around the same quality/price as the rolex (and I think the br case/bracelet is at least as good) the price difference should be 800 ukp, if the watches are gold the price difference should be 800 ukp, if the cases are gemset and platinum the price difference should be 800ukp. I so need to do a video on that.......
Stay off drugs pal!
No way there is ever anything in that mug. He'd be covered in coffee by the end of every video.
An old but new trend if Rolex been bored some.
Just watched this review on watch Adrew's channel before coming here
It would sell well if it was in the 1.5-2k range
It looks like a nautilus in a lot of ways. The bracelet is more of Patek than AP.
I don't feel this watch looks like a Royal Oak at all, it just looks like a shiny bell and ross...
Exactly. I think people are too quick to dismiss.
@@BarkandJack and too dull/stupid.
Was there any coffee in the
mug when you were swinging your arms right to left?
New watch comes out.
Adrian: what a piece of crap!
Watch manufacturer: hey, wanna try it on for a week?
Adrian: this is a great piece. I think I love it
Adrian is the kind of person that would sell ass for cash
This happens a lot in my life. I hated the SARB017, my brother bought one and we went out on the piss and I tried it on and wore it for an hour then when I got up the next day I bought one. I thought the new Ford Mondeo looked bland and uninteresting then got one to drive as a courtesy car and now I'm looking to buy one in the next couple of months. Happens a lot
Matt Hatter or maybe he tried it on and liked it, like that’s never happened to anyone before
Is it not tiring having such a negative outlook on life?
If you watch video back, I mentioned I got hands on with this watch at a watch event, an event that was open to the public. All shots were made during the event. I didn’t have the watch for a week. It’s boring responding to you trolls, but I’m not good at letting the dumb stuff go.
@ewt415 Exactly. The concept is quite simple isn’t it.
Was lucky enough to attend a Bell and Ross event in Melbourne in November, was quite impressed with it. IMO I think the silver dial one is the one to go for as I think the continuation of the colour tones from the bracelet to the dial work well
Love the way the Explorer sounded, when you threw it down. Lol
Hahaha, I cant believe he did that! xD
Sounds better on the ground
Woops!
Lmfao , I was like - “can mine do that ?” 😄
Great looking watch, one for a second hand buyer though.
Agreed. I'd never buy a new B&R. Nice watches, but it takes the second hand market to give a reality check on price.
I love the BR 05 black dial version, totally see where you are coming from with the movement...it's disappointing, but the skeletonized rotor is rather special. The case and bracelet are stunning, but £3900, I just don't know if my wallet likes it as much as my wrist does.
I would rather have a Cartier Santos for that price...
100%
Yep agreed....
Yup, that would be a great alternative for the price. A Drive de Cartier would be my choice. 😁
El Diablo
That is exactly what I have done
Me too. Santos 100XL blue dial
It’s nice to see something in the watch world that isn’t one of the usual suspects. It’s a very closed mind hobby this.
Exactly what B&R is the antithesis of. You buy their watches because they are fun, because looking at it to know the time brings you joy. So much hate I think because they are for people that have some dough to blow but don't give a shit what others think about what's on their wrist. It's for them, not to impress others.
@@999pynchon agreed its a nice design and not ad flashy or overworn as other brands. If you buy bigger brands everyone has the same watch. Its boring.
Tried one on and honestly it's really nice.......but nearly 4k for an SW 300 no way !
Yeah that’s pretty much how I felt.
Buy it second hand will probably be half retail ....
I mean you can get a Maurice Lacroix with an ETA for half that new or a 1/3 of the price pre owned.
Peter Gietl I wouldn’t necessarily prefer the ETA 2892 over the Sellita SW300. They’re basically the same and built to the same standard. I would agree that the B&R is overpriced.
Simon Bailey agreed that there’s not much difference between them, but there’s just so many smaller brands, that are making good watches with Sellita or ETA in $500-2000 range.
Anyone who drops £27,000 on a all gold B&R should immediately have their affairs look after by a power of attorney because they’ve lost their mind! Lol
Had this watch been 36-38mm, no date, and offered different dial varieties, then it may have been worth looking at.
Great video and observations! It’s really true of most things in life - it’s hard to accurately judge many things without trying it in person, over time. I thought the Seiko Turtle was going to be too big, until my wife bought it for me. After wearing it, the actual experience was far better than expected.
3.58. Date window damaged and the 6 as well.
Well spotted!
Yep, seems to be a bit rough!
Would piss me off after buying. Wonder how customer service @ B&R is.
Also spotted that right at the beginning (0:17)... pretty disappointing for that kind of money, or even for much less money.
Watching in the barbers..... awaiting my turn. Have to say it’s a nice looking watch but so is the all metal G shock for a fraction of the price. Think they might price themselves out the game with these
It's how much Bell & Ross need to price it to make a profit for both themselves and the AD. It's very likely that these will sell at a huge discount at the AD. Hell, I was able to get over 30% off on an Omega, let alone this Bell & Ross.
“ If you understand your movements and are into movements this watch is a complete ripoff “. Agree with you 100%. It’s an OK looking watch but please the price point is a joke seriously this should be illegal to ask this type of $ for a watch with this movement. You could be really harsh and almost call it a scam. Great review love your honesty.
Thanks a lot mate. Glad you agree. I’ve been getting messages from a few people saying they have bought it, but at decent discount off retail price. 👍🏻
I thought exactly like you, until I actually tried the watch, and I love it. It became one of my favorite watches in my cillection
1 thing I will mention about shake test is the Seiko was on a bracelet and the Rolex was on a nato, that throws that whole thing off for sound purposes.
MIAPhilly what throws the whole thing off is a seiko 5 is
I must say that i have my explorer on a bracelet and Seiko on the Nato and the seiko does shake and sound like maracas being played by Jim Carrey in the movie the mask. Cheers!
Doesn’t make much of a difference if he’s holding on to the bracelet while he’s doing the test. These watches are just that silent
Yeah I was holding the bracelet. That sound was solely from the watch head.
@@BarkandJack Got ya. No need for a whole new vid but for your own test I can almost bet a months salary that the Seiko (while not silent) will be more quiet without the bracelet on it at all. Those things are rattle monsters even when held because of all those links. Just give it a try, shake it both ways and see if there is any difference.
I got one a few days ago (blue dial, steel bracelet), I love it (I'd better love it, considering its price). I don't have any opinion about the Sellita movement. As the same movement is used in the IWC Mark XVIII, which is even more expensive (1 150 extra euros) than the Bell and Ross, then I guess the same negative remark could be made about it. Anyway, some people like it, some don't, isn't it the same for everything? Great looking watch, good movement, might have been les expensive but, well, it's not. Apparently the sales are good so I guess they were right to choose this retail price.
Loving the Skeleton on Rubber to be fair.
Yikes
Yeah no
BR05 is handsome - love it since the first time seeing it . But the price - if is a complete rip off . Found this comment online which is well said : Bell & Ross is a prime example of a company that is selling nothing more than a cool-looking case and a dynamite marketing plan. With the price points, I just can’t help to think it is a ‘poshed up’ DW playing in the ‘luxury watch field’.
The only thing the fakes can't replicate now is the movements - so this watch with a relatively cheap movement could be replicated exactly using the same movement for less than a grand.
Then stick to your fakes
After watching all the reviews of this watch, I bought this exact blue one anyways. Couldn't be happier. It's funny how people keep mentioning Royal Oak everytime they talk about this watch when there's literally no similarities between the two, except they're both metal and they both tell time.
I bought the grey dialed one in Macau, and honestly I love it. I have plenty of Rolex, Omega, Breitling etc, and this watch is really well built and looks amazing out in the sun etc. Kept 1 sec fast a day since I bought it, which is also impressive, so yes they use a SW300-1 but it is clearly worked on and regulated way more versus normally. For me it is a fantastic piece, the dial with minute markers, the case and the bracelet are the highlights. A very different type of a watch, but personally love it
Thanks for the info. I want a watch thats a bit different and not everyone has.
Looks beautifully finished. Like that blue.
I actually think this is watch is stunning! I was waiting for the preowned prices to come down a little but now I'm not so sure after watching this review, it wears MASSIVE!
It doesn't really wear that big. I have this exact one. However the gmt and the chronos are really big to my liking bcos of the 42mm size. This one just look bigger on the video.
stop saying it's an off-the-shelf movement. that's rubbish. it's a third party movement that's been modified with sand blasting, a custom rotor, and regulation.
Absolutely .poor review to be honest he should have done his homework
I found the shaking of the Seiko 5 a very useful way of explaining that concept of rattling 👍
Whats your wrist size adrien?
17cm.
Bark and Jack thanks, thats great reference
Casework is brilliant on these. The layout may be somewhat derivative of other brands but not offensively so. Personally, the RO and any Rolex look like old-man watches to me.
Right? It doesn’t look that derivative of anything.
A Giraud Perregaux looks more like an AP than this looks like an anything. A Vacheron Constantin Overseas looks more like a Nautilus than this looks like anything. This is fairly unique
I just bought blue br 5, I am 59, this watch made me young. .
@@khoocheepeng beautiful!
So well said. Amazing.
The Royal Oak doesn't look old man at all, neither does the submariner.
Adrian, good for you for actually giving the warch a shot. Too many "others" will simply pass judgement on a watch after only seeing a picture and reading the specs. I realize that you didn't have to make this video and that you didn't have to share your opinion, but you did, and I think that is cool.
This is why I watch Bark and Jack.
I have the skeleton one with the steel bracelet. I get that everybody says that it's a rip off from PP and AP. But believe me this one has its own identity. It feels superb on the wrist, not to big at all and very comfortable. Bare in mind that my wrist isn't that big, but this watch feels spot on. My thought about the skeleton is that. Only with true deep pockets you can enjoy a watch with it's own incredible movement and equally incredible price tag. This Bell&Ross does the job perfect for his price. The estatics the weight the look of this watch is just to good. You just need to be a out of the box type person to buy it because some just don't like a square watch. But if you do like such watches, this is a quality contender. I am super happy for having a limited skeletonised watch with a steel bracelet. A watch that never goes out of style.
Enjoy your watch. People online have this attitude where everything that isn't what THEY deem to be the original, to be a bad watch. It's insane, when you consider the entire watch industry is based on the principle of alternatives.
Ah. So you got a freebie! Yawn.
Why the backpedaling? It’s pants. Can’t be taken seriously at that price with a Sellita movement 😭💩👎🏻
Bell & ross generally don't hold much value in the used market and that's where the bell & ross value shines
My favory's sport watches: BR05 and maurice lacroix AIKON.
AP and Patek watches are over rated. Ferrari was born first and then Lamborghini and both sell less than a Honda Civic .....
Finishing around the date window looks off
£27,000 is a good meme
Haha.
Good review, I personally like the looks of it. People complain about price but lets be honest the AP and PP Nautilus are also total rip offs for a stainless steel sports watch , inhouse movement or not.
👏👏👏👏👏 Finally wise words, try first then you can judge it. I love Bell and Ross, but other models, the problem is the price, I would rather buy an Omega for the same price range. They should have some watches in the same price range as Oris then we talk. 😁
Each time an integrated bracelet watch is released, there are tons of people saying "it looks like a Royal Oak". When you have no idea, that is the sentence to say. Why not saying instead "it looks like a Breguet", the inventor of the wrist watch.
No on the go micro adjustment clasp. Deal breaker for many. Can’t do anything when your wrist swells up in the heat or humidity.