Re: Bell & Ross


"John S." <hjsjms@xxxxxx> wrote in message news:24ae88fc-0cfa-4644-8323-ca322ac5deaa@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
On Jun 6, 1:22 pm, "Jack Denver" <nunuv...@xxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
"John S." <hjs...@xxxxxx> wrote in message

news:d1a188ff-e62f-47d1-b1e8-4aa57dc82a17@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

If precision is truly the key need then a mechanical watch, especially
one of their models with a tourbillon would be close to the bottom of
the list. Precise operation has been synonymous with quartz movements
and not with mechanical movements for the past 40 years. Bell & Ross
are silent about the origin of their movements which lead me to
believe they may be of chinese origin.

I don't know about 100% of their movements, but I have seen a great many
B&R watches that clearly have Swiss ETA/Valjoux movements and are marked
"Swiss Made". There may be others in the collection that aren't - I don't
know the brand all that well.
But point me to a picture of a watch that you think has a Chinese movement
and I'll give you my opinion - I think I'm familiar enough with the main
calibers that I can usually tell what's Swiss and what's Chinese. Although
it is getting much harder with the Chinese now making direct copies of some
ETA movements.


The handwind movement used in the tourbillon.

This one is very clearly marked as Swiss Made so they would have to be breaking the law if it wasn't. I suppose it is possible that they are lying but I have no reason to suspect that they are.

These list at $131,000 so they could well afford to pay Swiss labor rates:

http://www.essential-watches.com/watch.aspx?ID=19184#sectn=2&subsctn=6

I think it borders on slander to say that this is a Chinese movement unless you have some proof. I would never buy this watch personally but I am very careful before I say something that might damage other people's livelihoods with wild accusations and zero proof.

.

Relevant Pages

  • Re: Seagull auto -- Swiss watch future
    ... Chinese. ... Swiss watch industry is taking steps to maintain its place in the world.. ... these are met (in the case of modern watches) fairly easily and it ...
    (alt.horology)
  • Re: Invicta Mechanical Chronographs Models 5102-5105
    ... But some of the horribleness has nothing to do with cost and just with natural Chinese sloppiness - it doesn't cost anything to keep dirt and hair out of your movements but some Chinese factories fail to do even that much. ... The Sea-Gull chrono is in another category and the Tian Jin factory is a top quality producer (by Chinese standards, which are not 100% up to modern Swiss standards but catching up faster than some people apparently think). ... are naturally in tune with the idea of "perfection in miniature" - the Japanese were doing bonsai centuries before they ever saw a watch. ... But, at its time of ascendancy, the Americans also saw themselves as capable of performing any task, big or small - Illinois farm girls could be made into watch workers, no problem, and not only would we make fine watches but we would turn them out in a volume that would make the heads of Swiss artisans spin. ...
    (alt.horology)
  • Re: Bell & Ross
    ... If precision is truly the key need then a mechanical watch, ... believe they may be of chinese origin. ... B&R watches that clearly have Swiss ETA/Valjoux movements and are marked ... The handwind movement used in the tourbillon. ...
    (alt.horology)
  • Re: UK watch repairer
    ... rights to the TM have been bought off by some Chinese people after the demise of the Swiss company. ... Ever since, it has been a 100% Chinese operation, although they are using Swiss movements. ... But I've not seen a watch with this kind of case, movement and bracelet for anywhere near this kind of price in this country. ...
    (alt.horology)
  • The History of the Federation of the Swiss Watch Industry FH
    ... While the Federation of the Swiss Watch Industry FH officially saw the ...
    (alt.horology)