Bell & Ross Grand Minuteur & Minuteur Tourbillon

AnthonyTsai · 2008-03-27T07:58:38Z

Explore the Bell & Ross Grand Minuteur and Minuteur Tourbillon from Basel Fair 2008. Discover collector debates on design, wearability, and Bell & Ross's haute horlogerie ambitions.

AnthonyTsai

WPS member · Horological Meandering forum

34 replies7245 views9 photos

AnthonyTsai's preview of Bell & Ross's 2008 Basel Fair novelties, the Grand Minuteur and Minuteur Tourbillon, sparked a lively debate among collectors. This article delves into the community's initial reactions to these ambitious new complications, exploring discussions around wearability, design originality, and Bell & Ross's foray into haute horlogerie.

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New watches 2008

BR INSTRUMENT MINUTEUR TOURBILLON

Limited edition

BR INSTRUMENT MINUTEUR TOURBILLON

BR INSTRUMENT GRAND MINUTEUR

Limited edition

BR INSTRUMENT GRAND MINUTEUR

BR INSTRUMENT MINUTEUR TOURBILLON

BR INSTRUMENT GRAND MINUTEUR

Limited editions

Bell & Ross has become the benchmark for excellence among an elite group of individuals who rely on their watches to function fl awlessly under extreme conditions.

Using aeronautical instrumentation, the highest standard for readability, reliability and performance, Bell & Ross designers have sought to reproduce as faithfully as possible a cockpit timepiece that fits on the wrist.

In 2005 Bell & Ross launched the INSTRUMENT line, which upended traditional watch making with its innovative concept and design. It has since established itself as an icon watch.

In 2007 Bell & Ross made a noted entry into fine watchmaking with the BR01 INSTRUMENT TOURBILLON fitted with an outstanding grande complication movement.

In its constant quest for innovation, this year Bell & Ross is introducing a Grande Complication with functions never before seen in watchmaking: the GRAND MINUTEUR.

BR INSTRUMENT MINUTEUR TOURBILLON and BR GRAND MINUTEUR

High-quality Watchmaking (the movement) + High-Technology (the case) + High Readability (the dial)

Armed with its experience in the field of aeronautical instrumentation and fine watchmaking, Bell & Ross is presenting two new exclusive and complementary grande complications:

- The BR MINUTEUR TOURBILLON for enthusiasts of fine watchmaking and
- The BR GRAND MINUTEUR for professionals working in extreme conditions.

A tourbillon, a large timer, a power reserve indicator and a small second hand: four complications and two exclusive movements fitted to two outstanding watches designed for two worlds.

A concentration of all the brand’s expertise in the field of fine watchmaking, the two BR MINUTEUR models will attract professional users as well as connoisseurs of fine watches.

BR INSTRUMENT MINUTEUR TOURBILLON

Fine watchmaking with precision, functionality and elegance.

BR MINUTEUR TOURBILLON Case

Ideal for individuals for who time is a passion as well as a tool. They will be delighted by both the functionality and the watchmaking qualities of the BR MINUTEUR TOURBILLON.

Precision:
The BR MINUTEUR TOURBILLON is born from a desire to combine a chronograph function with a high-precision mechanism, a genuine challenge for any real technical innovation.
The Tourbillon, the most noble of complications dressed in gold, compensates the differences in precision due to the earth’s pull.

Functionality:
Priority is given to reading the hour functions in this luxurious model.
An independent small second counter and a three-day power reserve complete the time information.
The timer on the left of the dial is a second, dual scale timepiece (sixty and ten divisions) that measures time in hours and minutes from a chosen moment.
This stand-alone timer is fi tted with a Flyback, a system for resetting to zero and quickly relaunching the measurement. The Flyback optimizes the precision and rapidity in measuring several successive times.

Elegance:
Its pink gold trim turns this measuring tool into a precious, elegant watch.
The carbon fibre dial and aluminium movement bridges help make the watch lightweight and high performing.
Its angle rib structure reinforces the solidity of the case.

BR INSTRUMENT MINUTEUR TOURBILLON

Limited edition

BR INSTRUMENT MINUTEUR TOURBILLON Face

Technical specifications

Movement: BR MINUTEUR TOURBILLON. Mechanical movement with manual winding. Pink gold anodized aluminium bridges

Functions: hours, minutes. Small second counter. Minuteur with flyback* function (2 graduations 60 minutes and 10/10th of hours). 3-day power reserve indicator.
* flyback function: back to zero and fast boosting of the measure of time

Case: XXL diameter 44mm x 50mm. Satin-polished pink gold. Screw-in crown

Dial: black. Hands and indexes covered with photoluminescent coating to optimize night reading.

Glass: Anti-refl ection sapphire crystal. (Top and back).

Water-resistance: 100m

Strap: rubber or alligator

BR INSTRUMENT GRAND MINUTEUR

The high-tech complication serving professionals working in extreme conditions.

BR GRAND MINUTEUR Case

The BR GRAND MINUTEUR is a time measuring tool with specific, exclusive functions. The hour counter is connected to a large counter, the timer, that measures short times. An additional Flyback function launches a new measurement almost immediately.

High-quality Watchmaking:
The large, double scale timer (sixty and ten divisions) is an additional timepiece that measures a duration of time in hours and minutes from a chosen moment.
This large stand-alone timer is fi tted with a Flyback, a system for resetting to zero and quickly relaunching the measurement. The Flyback optimizes the precision and rapidity in measuring several successive time intervals.
The hour and minute display is supplemented by a small, stand-alone counter for seconds and a 10-day power reserve indicator.

High-Technology:
The ultra-light titanium case, the carbon fi bre dial and the aluminium movement bridges all contribute to making the watch lightweight and high performing.
Its angle rib structure and DLC fi nish coat (Diamond Like Carbon, friction resistant to more than 4000 Vickers) reinforces the solidity of the case.

High Visibility:
The dial design optimizes readability by disassociating the time indications and putting them in order of priority: four stand-alone counters indicate in order (based on their diameter) the timer function, hours and minutes, power reserve and seconds.
Giving precedence to the Timer function answers a functional requirement and turns the BR GRAND MINUTEUR into the ultimate professional measuring tool.

BR INSTRUMENT GRAND MINUTEUR

Limited edition

BR INSTRUMENT GRAND MINUTEUR Face

Technical specifications

Movement: BR GRAND MINUTEUR. Mechanical movement with manual winding. Black anodized aluminium bridges

Functions: hours,minutes. Small second counter. Minuteur with flyback* function (2 graduations 60 minutes and 10/10th of hours). 10-day power reserve indicator.
* flyback function: back to zero and fast boosting of the measure of time

Case: XXL diameter 44mm x 50mm. Glass bead blasted titanium covered with DLC (Diamond Like Carbon), virtually unscratchable coating (4 000 vickers). Screw-in crown.

Dial: black. Hands and indexes with photoluminescent coating for night reading.

Glass: Anti-reflection sapphire crystal. (Top and back).

Water-resistance: 100m.

Strap: rubber or alligator.

BR INSTRUMENT MINUTEUR TOURBILLON

BR INSTRUMENT GRAND MINUTEUR

Limited editions

Sketches of cases

Plan of the case

Research of cases and dials

Research of power reserve indicator

Research of dials

BR MINUTEUR TOURBILLON Caseback

Research of desk stand

Research of dials

3D computer sketch view. Case and strap

3D computer sketch view. Top and side

3D computer sketch view. Face and back

3D computer view. 2 cases perspective

3D computer view. Case from above

3D computer view. Crown and back

3D computer view. Caseback

This message has been edited by AnthonyTsai on 2008-03-27 08:44:16

Key Points from the Discussion

Despite their size, the new Bell & Ross watches are considered wearable by some, drawing comparisons to large pieces from other high-end brands like Audemars Piguet and A. Lange & Söhne, and the shape is deemed perfectly fine.
The Grand Minuteur's dial layout is interesting, but the overall 'innovation' is questioned, with the tourbillon being dismissed as a dated complication, suggesting a marketing-driven approach rather than true horological advancement.
The reliance on third-party movement suppliers like BNB for technical wizardry is seen as a marketing tactic rather than genuine haute horlogerie, urging brands to be more transparent about their product origins in the age of readily available information.
The design of these new Bell & Ross models is criticized for being unwearable due to size and shape, lacking true originality, and featuring a tourbillon that feels out of place for a brand not primarily known for high horology.
The case design, with its lateral growth along the forearm axis, is noted as a design device used by several brands like AP, Hautlence, and MB&F, suggesting a common ergonomic solution for larger movements.
While the design, reminiscent of MB&F, is appealing to some, it's unlikely to be a personal purchase for many collectors who find it outside their engagement with watches, though it's predicted to be a commercial success that may not retain aftermarket value.

The Discussion

Geo

Mar 27, 2008

Incredible; B&B is moving fast! [nt]

No message body

ei8htohms

Mar 27, 2008

Do you mean B&R or BNB? :) (nt)

GH1

Mar 27, 2008

Yes ! The MB&F comes to mind instantly ........

still they look pretty cool although Ive always had problems with a square shaped watch like B&R. But these are 44 by 50 so maybe I will have a mind change if I can see them in the metal . It will be interesting to find out how much they cost . George

MTF

Mar 27, 2008

Why MB&F? When Hautlence could do as well.....

Photo by Foversta The shape of human wrist / forearm and the need for more space by watchmakers has resulted in only one logical and ergonomic solution - a lateral solution - make the case grow along the axis of the forearm. This design device has been used by AP, Hautlence, MB&F and even fictional characters like Dick Tracy, Buck Rogers and General Jumbo (The Beano) See previous posting by Foversta: click here Regards, MTF This message has been edited by MTF on 2008-03-31 01:12:26

amanico

Mar 27, 2008

I feel alone, on this topic

I don't like at all... 1st, are these watches wearable? I doubt a lot, due to the size, and the shape of the watch... 2/ The design...Doesn't do nothing to me...Just don't understand it... I don't like it at all...BR wants to do like some independants, pointing out originality for originality, which is a non sense for me, as at the end, it means nothing... Too much originality kills at least originality, if not the true sense or beauty of the watch.... 3/ A tourbi???? Well I don't know the movem

Gaz

Mar 28, 2008

Another nay sayer here...

The only "innovation" I see is putting a flyback chrono module into a Max Busser inspired lay out and design with Hautlance movement finishing. If I have any credit to give, the grand minuteur does have an interesting dial lay out. And don't get me started on the tourbillon. Do we really need another tourbillon that features a rotating logo. The tourbillon is just so 2002. Nothing to see here people, move on! I can imagine the following conversation between Marketing and Product development: Mar

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