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Bell & Ross wristwatch, ref. 110, 1990s — view 1 of 1
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Wristwatches · Wristwatch

Bell & Ross wristwatch, ref. 110, 1990s

DocumentedDocumented from an auction catalogue; attribution as stated by the auction house.
Maker / attribution
Bell & Ross (brand / maker)
Date
1990s
Country of origin
France
Object type
Wristwatch
Materials / technique
stainless steel
Dimensions
diameter 38 mm; length 170 mm
Lot
Lot 350-8
Credit line
Auction lot record: LOT 8, Geneva,May 9, 2022
Catalogue title (original)
BELL & ROSS REF. 110 S AUTOMATIC STEEL (English)

Editor's note

The auction catalogue gives 'circa 1990', but Bell & Ross was founded in Paris in 1992, so the watch is dated here to the 1990s.

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

Record summary

Catalogued by Antiquorum auction archive, Geneva (lot Lot 350-8), this is a wristwatch by Bell & Ross, made in France, dated 1990s. The Atlas places it in the Mechanical Renaissance period (1990 – 2010) of its Wristwatches collection. Materials and techniques recorded by the source: stainless steel. Recorded dimensions: diameter 38 mm; length 170 mm. The record is illustrated with 1 photograph.

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

Antiquorum catalogue description

Fine, self-winding, water resistant to 100 meters, stainless steel wristwatch with date, case back with glassed port hole to view the movement.

Lot specifications (Antiquorum)

Reference: 110; Case No.: 123.A-S11336; Material: Stainless steel; Bracelet: stainless steel Bell & Ross bracelet with double deployant clasp.; Caliber: 2896, 21 jewels; Diameter: 38 mm.; Length: 170 mm.; Signature: Dial, case and movement

Inscriptions & marks

Dial, case and movement

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 timelineMore wristwatches from this periodEarlier: Quartz Revolution

Atlas type guide

Automatic (self-winding) watches

Self-winding watches use the wearer's motion to wind the mainspring. Abraham-Louis Perrelet and Breguet made 'perpétuelle' pocket watches with oscillating weights in the late eighteenth century, but the principle only became practical in the wristwatch. John Harwood patented a bumper automatic in 1923; Rolex's Perpetual rotor (1931) winding in one direction, and later bidirectional rotors (Eterna, Felsa Bidynator), established the modern form. Micro-rotors (Universal Genève, Buren) and peripheral rotors made automatic watches thinner.

What to look for

  • A semicircular rotor turning 360° over the movement, or a 'bumper' weight that rebounds between springs.
  • 'Automatic', 'Perpetual' or 'Self-winding' on the dial.
  • A sealed screw-back case, since automatic watches are wound less often by the crown.

Dating clues

  • Bumper automatics: 1923–c. 1955.
  • Full rotors: from 1931 (Rolex); widespread after c. 1950.
  • Micro-rotors: from 1954–1958.

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.

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