Are Bell & Ross Watches a Good Investment?

Bell & Ross is a key player in the luxury watch industry. But are its watches really worth it? Join us as we tackle the question, “Are Bell & Ross Watches a Good investment?”.

The company has learned quickly, and what began as a university project between two watch nerds soon became a global success. 

The two entrepreneurs built the brand on the foundations of a very simple motto. “Function Shapes Form”. The tagline couldn’t be more fitting for an innovator of aviation timepieces. 

With a completely off-the-wall case shape, the BR 01 by Bell & Ross changed horological history forever.  

Even before the “circle within a square” BR 01 profile, the French watchmaker had achieved great things.  It manufactured the first automatic chronometer that traveled to space. 

Sinn rebranded some of its instrument watches for Bell & Ross. Others, like the Hydromax, for example, based its design on Sinn’s oil-filled watch. 

Other successes include the Bomb Disposal Type watch, developed by the brand and named the Demineur, used for defusing explosives.

The BR 01 — A Circle Within a Square

The BR 01 watch, developed in 2005, took inspiration from instrument panels found in aircraft. It became a watchmaking icon and gave the manufacturer huge international exposure. Its architecture featured a round dial surrounded by a solid square case and four functional screws in each corner. 

Master watchmakers within the Bell & Ross team designed and assembled the BR 01 in the brand’s La Chaux-de-Fonds facilities. 

Once developed, Bell & Ross enlisted the expertise of professionals who exposed the watch to extreme conditions. Divers, bomb disposal experts, and pilots subjected the watches to pressure, temperature, and violent accelerations.

Since the release of the BR01, Bell & Ross has forged links both with the diving world and the motorsport industry. 

By the time the BR 03 came along, the brand’s instrument panel-inspired wristwatches were already a huge success. The iconic square-shaped profile has since branched out into further collections. 

These days you can find fully luminous dials, Skull concepts, and sportier BR05 and X5 variations. 

Recently, Bell & Ross has spawned practical GMTs and skeletonized dials that carry the same cockpit instrument-inspired identity. A glance through the brand’s catalog will tell you that it’s still leading the way forward in square-shaped designs.

Are Bell & Ross Watches Worth Investing In?

Bell & Ross produces retro-inspired utilitarian timepieces. There are so many reasons why fans like to invest in the brand. Aside from the rarer limited edition models to collect, even the core models have a strikingly classic military aesthetic.

The fact Bell & Ross has stuck to creating modern instruments based on earlier timepieces appeals vastly to military personnel. Collectors like the solid and robust feel of these timepieces and the designs based on aircraft cockpits. There’s also a broad selection of urban timepieces with more rounded profiles.

One reason why Bell & Ross watches remain moderately prized is the use of ETA movements and Sellita calibers. 

These bold models with skeleton-decorated dials, tourbillons, and daring square-shaped designs are perfect for those who like off-the-wall designs. 

So, if you like watches with a powerful wrist presence, Bell & Ross Watches have good value.

Do Bell & Ross Watches Hold Value?  

If you’re thinking of buying your first Bell & Ross Watch, you might be asking yourself a few questions. Questions like “Do Bell & Ross watches hold value?” and “Are Bell & Ross watches worth the money?”.  

I’m going to answer these questions for you.

If you’re anything like me, when you look to invest in a watch, you look for a USP. What does the brand stand out for, and why? 

Luckily, the Parisian brand has a strong presence in the industry, standing out for its unique identity. Its circle-within-a-square concept has been key to its success and has stolen the hearts of enthusiasts far and wide.  

But a unique watch still must hold up on your wrist, right? It should stand the test of time and comprise a selection of reliable materials. 

Luckily, Bell & Ross watches are reliable and readable when faced with extreme conditions. Military personnel, divers, explorers, and bomb disposal experts all choose these watches. They’re solid and functional.  

Any watch made by a revered name in the industry will hold some value. The question remains whether you can make a return on it or not. The fact that Bell & Ross Watches hold their value relatively well is a testament to the brand’s reputation in watchmaking.

Like any luxury item, when buying a watch from new, you’ll take an instant hit on its value. This is why pre-owned watch collecting has become so lucrative in recent years. 

A pre-owned Bell & Ross watch will help you work your way up the horological ladder since it will generally hold its value. It’s unlikely, however, that you’ll make a profit on re-selling one.

What Is the Most Expensive Bell & Ross Watch?

As explained, one of the key factors determining the price of a Bell & Ross watch is its use of materials. A mix of cutting-edge technology and state-of-the-art materials reflects the brand’s expertise and know-how.

The BRX1 Tourbillon, for example, is amongst some of the most expensive luxury watches on the market.

Released in 2018, it boasts a case made from five blocks of sapphire crystal. This unique bodywork holds an exquisite hand-wound skeleton flying tourbillon at its center. The watch currently costs around $410,000.

Which Bell & Ross Watch Holds the Most Value?

Bell & Ross Watches won’t appreciate the way a Rolex or Patek Philippe watch will. But they still make for good investments. 

Their value lies in factors like brand provenance and a solid reputation. The brand’s aviation instrument-inspired watches promise practicality and legibility. 

What’s more, they have a distinct aesthetic that stands out in what is nowadays an over-saturated market.  

One of the most valuable Bell & Ross watches is the BR-X2 Tourbillon since it’s also one of the most expensive. It features a futuristic cockpit-inspired design with elements that nod to 21st-century fighter planes. 

The watch is available in micro-blasted titanium, ceramic, or rose gold. It also features a movement suspended between two pieces of sapphire crystal, making its architecture completely transparent.

Some Other Things to Consider

Bell & Ross Watches are not the priciest luxury timepieces on the market. But they certainly aren’t the cheapest either. 

The brand’s team of expert designers uses a unique blend of robust, high-end materials to craft each timepiece. Models that feature sapphire crystal houses exposing the intricate mechanics of an engine lying inside are among some of the costliest.

That said, there are many affordable Bell & Ross watches to take advantage of. Most of the brand’s core models are attainable, and they hold their value well. 

While Bell & Ross watches won’t necessarily appreciate in value over time, they do make for great long-term wristwatches. Buying one as an investment will ensure you get to hand a family heirloom down the line.

The Bell & Ross name stands for quality craftsmanship and longevity. So, whether you choose an expensive or affordable one, you won’t have made a bad choice. 

These models aren’t extravagant, fancy, or lavish. Instead, the French watchmaker chooses practicality over anything else. 

That said, the brand’s instantly noticeable instrument panel-inspired watches are a desirable look.

Noticeable and memorable, watches from the BR01, BR03, and BR05 families are firm favorites. They won’t tire of their good looks, and their functional features are in abundance.

Some enthusiasts only invest in wristwatches if they’re certain to appreciate over time. Others would argue this defeats the purpose of collecting and appreciating luxury timepieces. 

There’s a huge array of Bell & Ross watches to explore, from bold and straightforward to intricate and expensive. They all hold their value well. The key is to figure out what floats your boat.

Closing Thoughts

So, are Bell & Ross watches a good investment? Here’s the bottom line. Unless if making a profit from selling watches is not a priority to you, watches from this brand are a good investment.  

The brand is synonymous with quality materials and superior, solid craftsmanship. My advice to you would simply be to try them!

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