Bell & Ross - Rosillo Knighted
WORLDTEMPUS - 26 September 2012
Employees, family, and friends of Bell & Ross convened in Paris at the Hôtel National des Invalides on 18 September to celebrate a special award bestowed upon Bell & Ross CEO Carlos Rosillo: he has joined the rank of Chevaliers (Knights) of the French Legion d'Honneur. This, the highest decoration that France can bestow upon a civilian, recognizes outstanding contributions to French society over a minimum of 20 years of professional life. The ceremony was led by General Christian Baptiste, director of the Musee de l'Armee, and was held in the Grand Salon on the museum grounds.
In attendance were Bell & Ross co-founder and head of design Bruno Belamich; Rosillo's mentor and initial collaborator Helmut Sinn; Madame Eliane Heilbronn of the house of Chanel; the extended Bell & Ross network of employees; and Rosillo's extended family and friends.
In keeping with the military atmosphere of the venue, Rosillo presented the 2012 highlights of the Bell & Ross Vintage Collection, including the Vintage WW1 Chronographe Monopoussoir and the Vintage WW2 Regulateur Heritage.
The Vintage WW1 Chronographe Monopoussoir is a two-register chronograph in a 45mm polished steel case, with the chronograph actuator located coaxially with the crown. In order to achieve harmonious dial proportions in such a large case, Bell & Ross commissioned La Joux-Perret to create a bespoke automatic movement that allows the constant seconds and minute counter subdials to be centered between the edge and the center of the dial. This model is available in two styles: the black-dialed Heritage with sand-colored and white indices, and with an exquisite ivory-colored dial with white subdials and black markings.
The Vintage WW2 Regulateur Heritage is a very large (49mm) three-hand watch in a matte gunmetal PVD-coated steel case with articulated lugs. This model is based on the large mechanical timers used by bombardiers during the conflicts of the 1930s and '40s and boasts a large central minute hand and a specially shaped bezel designed to work with flight gloves. The wristwatch uses a custom automatic regulator movement developed in concert with Dubois Depraz, placing the hours subdial at 6 o'clock and the seconds subdial at 12. This model is available in a black dial with sand-colored markers and hands.
Other watches in the 2012 Vintage collection include the Argentium PW1 Repetition Minute pocket watch and the Argentium WW1 41mm three-hand watch in silver and ruthenium grey dials. Argentium is a new silver alloy of greater purity than Sterling, yet with superior anti-tarnish properties.
Rounding out this year's collection are the special WW1 Heure Sautante (jump hour) models with automatic movements developed in concert with Vincent Calabrese. The platinum model is has a unique power reserve window, and is presented in an edition of 25 pieces. The pink gold model has a more conventional power reserve subdial and is limited to 50 pieces.