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The Manual Wind: Bell & Ross WW1-97 Heritage Power Reserve

the manual wind bell ross ww1 97 heritage power reserve brhww1a
In the watch world, size matters.  Not five years ago,  monster timepieces ruled the landscape.  Consumers wanted clocks on their wrists and thats exactly what brands made.  It was common to see 48mm and 50mm timepieces being released on the regular; and barely fitting on wrists.  Some well designed pieces made the cut and brands are working on scale.  Brands like Hublot, Zenith, and Bell & Ross are now making these pieces smaller for the current market trend.  45mm has proved to be the realistic max for the market and brands are complying.

brhww1bBell & Ross, known for the large square BR-01, has rounded its corners and complied with a great design in the WW1-97 Heritage.  A steel case measuring 45mm holds a superbly detailed dial.  Gillette gold lettering and track contrast against a black glossy dial.  Untreated steel numbers in a classic pilot font make this piece.  It may resemble the Zenith 48mm Pilot but the difference is in the detail.  These textured steel numbers match the hour and minute hand standing out from the gloss dial.  Below this classic dial lies a 42 hour power reserve automatic movement with power reserve indicator.  Strap this on with a black crocodile strap and tang buckle.

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The pilot watch has become its own segment in the watch marketplace.  Size, design, and price are the biggest factors.  Bell & Ross has come out with a strong contender in the WW1-97 Heritage.  Sharp design, reasonable 45mm case, and price of just $4,500.  Move over Zenith Pilot, you are too big and pricy.

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The Manual Wind: Bell & Ross BR-X1 Skeleton Chronograph
manual wind bell ross br x1 skeleton chronograph

The aviation inspired watch has been around since, well,  the dawn of aviation.  This category of watches are designed truly fueled by necessity; large numbers and hands in large cases for easy legibility while flying and monitoring a flight control panel.  Back in 2005, Bell & Ross took the gauge to the wrist with the introduction of the BR series. This 46mm goliath, distinguishably square, with large numbers and hands was an instant hit.  Reasonably priced at under $5,000, the BR caught on fast and became a staple weekend timepiece for collectors.  Now almost ten years later, the BR line has come a long way bearing new materials and complications.  Their latest offering, the BR-X1 Skeleton Chronograph, proves just that.

Made out of Titanium, ceramic, and rubber, the 45mm BR-X1 case has a modern yet rugged appearance; almost futuristic yet still keeping the BR theme. Matte ceramic, rubber, and brushed titanium bring out some of the best finishing Bell & Ross has offered.  Add to that a sharp skeletonized dial of grey-tinted mineral glass revealing an exposed date wheel and gears and this piece becomes a standout.  Beneath the skeleton dial is the Swiss made Bell & Ross modified chronograph movement.  Flip the piece around and there is a small sapphire window giving a peak into a portion of the movement as well.  As with most of the BR line, this piece is paired with a rubber strap and ceramic tang buckle staying true to their original functionality.

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manual wind bell ross br123 gmt and

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The BR123 GMT sticks to the classic Bell & Ross vintage with its dial, case, and crystal but adds one major element; the distinct GMT hand.  This hand, made famous by Rolex, cannot be overlooked.  Large and orange, it made the Rolex Explorer 2 the collector piece it is today, and continues to hold consumer attention in the current model Explorer 2's.

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These are the best gifts for men in 2023

Shopping for the best gifts for men can at times seem like a daunting task, whether it be for a birthday, an anniversary, or any gift in between. So, we decided to help you out and lend you a hand and make gift-giving a little less stressful with a thoughtfully curated list of tried-and-true gifts suited for men. And at times, no matter how well or how long you have known someone, you just don't know where to look.

From small everyday carry items and others from the cool tech world to experiences that help you disconnect to reconnect, we offer you a gift guide for every guy on your list or some nice ways to treat yourself, too. Ahead, you will find a list of the best practical gifts for every type of guy. With that being said, here are the best gifts for men in 2023.

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