Bell & Ross BR V2-94 Military Beige
Bell & Ross is best known for its square watches inspired by aircraft cockpit instruments, but the brand's catalog also includes designs that take a more traditional approach to aviation watchmaking. The BR V2-94 Military Beige is one of those examples, combining a round stainless steel case with a vintage-inspired dial and automatic chronograph movement. Introduced in 2019, the watch draws on the appearance of older military instruments while retaining the practical features associated with modern Bell & Ross watches.
The most recognizable feature of the BR V2-94 Military Beige is its dial. Rather than the black or dark-colored backgrounds commonly associated with military watches, Bell & Ross uses a warm beige finish with bold black Arabic numerals and contrasting chronograph registers. The color gives the watch an aged appearance without relying on artificial distressing or excessive vintage detailing. Skeletonized hour and minute hands are filled with luminous material, while the chronograph seconds hand and subdial hands provide clear indications for timing. The combination of beige, black, and steel gives the watch a different visual character from the brand's more familiar instrument-inspired designs.
The stainless steel case measures 41 millimeters in diameter and features a combination of polished and satin-finished surfaces. Its rounded profile and prominent chronograph pushers recall the design of mid-century pilot's watches, while a domed sapphire crystal adds another vintage-inspired detail. The watch also features a bidirectional rotating bezel with a 60-minute scale, allowing the wearer to track elapsed time independently of the chronograph. Water resistance is rated to 100 meters, providing a useful level of protection for regular wear. The stainless steel bracelet completes the design, giving the watch a more substantial appearance than the versions fitted with fabric or elastic straps.
Inside the case is the Bell & Ross BR-CAL.301 automatic chronograph movement. The dial features a two-register layout, with a 30-minute chronograph counter at nine o'clock and a small seconds display at three o'clock. A date window positioned between four and five o'clock adds another practical function without taking up much space on the dial. The chronograph is operated through the two pushers on the right side of the case, allowing the central seconds hand and minute counter to measure elapsed time. This arrangement keeps the primary timing functions easy to identify while maintaining a relatively balanced dial layout.
The BR V2-94 also includes a sapphire exhibition caseback, offering a view of the automatic movement and its oscillating weight. While Bell & Ross is often associated with the exterior design of its watches, the mechanical chronograph is an important part of this model's appeal. The combination of an automatic movement, conventional chronograph controls, and rotating timing bezel makes it a functional instrument watch, even though much of its styling looks back to an earlier period of aviation.
What makes the BR V2-94 Military Beige interesting within the Bell & Ross collection is how it approaches the brand's aviation influences from a different direction. The round case, beige dial, and traditional chronograph layout create a watch that feels connected to historical military designs, while the sapphire crystal, automatic movement, and modern construction keep it firmly contemporary. For collectors familiar with Bell & Ross through its square BR-03 models, the BR V2-94 offers another perspective on the brand's approach to instrument watches.
