Bell & Ross’ Vintage collection hearkens to the 1940s, when watches were key instruments for pilots. The retro aviation spirit infuses the entire range, including two recent arrivals to the line: the Vintage Original and Vintage Officer models. The Vintage Originals ($2,600 to $3,900) are rugged re-editions of ’40s-era pilot watches with satin-finished steel cases and matte leather straps. Designed for heightened legibility, the dials are available in black with white hands and indexes or in an unusual beige coloration, which recalls the uniforms of World War II pilots. Taking a more sophisticated approach to the pilot genre, the Vintage Officer ($2,900 to $4,200) commands attention with its brightly polished steel case and a choice of black or silver dials. While each Vintage Collection model has its own character, they all share fundamental values, including the easy readability of a cockpit instrument and a choice of two movements—an automatic hours, minutes, seconds version or a chronograph—at rather down-to-earth prices. (www.bellross.com)
