Bell & Ross Antimagnetic Chronograph, c. 2006 — view 1 of 6 — View 1 of 6 · Image: Analog/Shift · original image source (opens another website in a new tab)

View 1 of 6 · Image: Analog/Shift · original image source (opens another website in a new tab)

Wristwatches · Wristwatch

Bell & Ross Antimagnetic Chronograph, c. 2006

DocumentedDocumented from a dealer's listing; attribution and date as stated by the dealer.

Maker / attribution: Bell & Ross (maker)
Date: c. 2006
Historical period: Mechanical Renaissance (1990 – 2010)
Country of origin: France
Object type: Wristwatch
Dimensions: Case 42.5 mm
Dealer: Analog/Shift (dealer), New York
Stock no.: 40990621
Credit line: Dealer listing, Analog/Shift (40990621)
Catalogue title (original): Bell & Ross Antimagnetic Chronograph (English)

View the source record (dealer listing) ↗ (opens another website in a new tab)Suggest a correction

Record summary

Catalogued by Analog/Shift (dealer), New York (stock number 40990621), this is a wristwatch by Bell & Ross, made in France, dated c. 2006. The Atlas places it in the Mechanical Renaissance period (1990 – 2010) of its Wristwatches collection. Recorded dimensions: Case 42.5 mm. The record is illustrated with 6 photographs.

Assembled from the source record's structured fields. Dates and attributions are given as the source states them; where a field is missing the Atlas leaves it blank rather than estimating.

Catalogue description

Dealer description — Analog/Shift

There is perhaps no more versatile complication than the chronograph. From race cars to rocket ships, boats to battlefields, you are likely to find a chronograph being employed to measure a plethora of tasks and times. From the Greek khrónos (‘time’) and gráphō (‘to write’), a chronograph is a watch that has the ability to record time, generally via the addition of small sub-counters that register minutes and hours. Bell & Ross has been making excellent chronographs since the 1990s — first, in concert with German watchmaker Sinn, and then on its own. This Reference V-126-XL-BRO from circa 2006 is a perfect example of the brand’s watchmaking; handsome and utilitarian, it perfectly fulfills the brief of an excellent tool watch, boasting antimagnetic qualities and 200m of water resistance. Housed in a 42.5mm stainless steel case with a sapphire crystal, a signed crown, dual barrel pushers, and a polished bezel, it features a matte brown dial with luminous ‘Arabic’ indices, an outer tachymeter scale, a lumed ‘sword’ handset, a dual-register chronograph, and a date window at 4:30. Viewable via a sapphire exhibition caseback is a reliable, automatic ETA 2894-2 chronograph movement with 42 hours of power reserve, while a brown leather strap with a signed, stainless steel deployant clasp finishes the package. It also comes with some of its factory goodies and its recent repair certificate. This is a ton of watch for the money, folks — don’t let this one slip through your fingers!

Historical context

Mechanical Renaissance (1990 – 2010)

Mechanical watches return as cultural objects; independent watchmaking flourishes.

Mechanical watches returned as cultural and luxury objects. Complications, tourbillons and new materials proliferated; independent watchmakers such as George Daniels, F.P. Journe and Philippe Dufour revived artisanal watchmaking; collecting vintage watches became a major field.

Read the period in the timeline More wristwatches from this period Earlier: Quartz Revolution

Atlas type guide

Chronographs and split-seconds watches

A chronograph is a watch with an additional seconds hand that can be started, stopped and returned to zero independently of the timekeeping. Louis Moinet built an early example in 1816 and Nicolas Rieussec a recording 'chronographe' in 1821; Adolphe Nicole's heart-shaped reset cam (patented 1862) made the modern return-to-zero possible. Split-seconds (rattrapante) chronographs add a second hand that can be stopped for intermediate times; flyback chronographs restart instantly.

Chronographs were essential tools for doctors (pulsometer scales), artillery (telemeter), engineers and sport. In wristwatches, Valjoux, Venus, Lemania and later the automatic chronographs of 1969 (Zenith El Primero, the Chronomatic Calibre 11 group and Seiko 6139) are milestones.

What to look for

Push-pieces on the case band or a single button in the crown (monopusher).
Subsidiary registers for minutes and hours; tachymeter, telemeter or pulsometer scales.
Column wheel versus cam control visible in the movement.
Calibre markings of specialist makers (Valjoux, Lemania, Venus, Landeron).

Dating clues

Pocket chronographs with heart cam reset: after 1862.
Wrist chronographs: from c. 1910; two-button designs from the 1930s.
Automatic chronographs: from 1969.

General guidance written by the Atlas editors about this kind of object. It is not a statement about this particular piece; for that, rely on the source record above and on physical examination.

Mechanisms mentioned

Chronograph — Complication
Self-winding (automatic) mechanism — Component
Power reserve indicator — Complication

Record completeness

Maker or attributionRecorded
DateRecorded
Place or countryRecorded
MaterialsNot in source
DimensionsRecorded
Narrative descriptionRecorded
Inscriptions / marksNot in source
ProvenanceNot in source
Several photographsRecorded

Editorial status: Documented — facts as published by the source; not independently verified by Atlas editors.

Explore further

Sources & image rights

Record source: Analog/Shift (dealer), New York (opens another website in a new tab).

Image rights: © Analog/Shift — dealer photographs; permission required (opens another website in a new tab).

Images are hosted by the Atlas for study and credited to their owner. Rights holders may request correction, credit changes or removal, or grant permission, via the editorial office.

Cite this record

"Bell & Ross Antimagnetic Chronograph, c. 2006." Analog/Shift (dealer), New York, 40990621. Catalogue record in The Horology Atlas, WatchMuseum.org, https://atlas.watchmuseum.org/museum/bell-ross-antimagnetic-chronograph-cec679.