Brand
Bell and Ross Vintage WW1 Argentium With Silver Dial
When it debuted in 2012, the Bell and Ross Vintage WW1 Argentium Silver was one of Bell & Ross' most important novelties of the year. Launched as part of the Vintage WW1 (Wrist Watch 1) collection, the model paid tribute to the first wristwatches worn by pilots in the 1920s, as a result featuring a distinctively large "fob watch" type diameter, wire lugs welded to the sides of the watch, and an elegantly thin but superbly strong leather strap. Then on the dial, a straightforward configuration that relays elements of vintage charm pulls the style together, with Bell & Ross ultimately presenting a watch that was purely its own: modern in execution, historical in inspiration, with aviation DNA in every facet.
Yet more importantly than all of this, the case was also crafted out of silver.
Well, silver, in a way. In fact, the watch was produced from a material dubbed Argentium, which is a special alloy of silver so named for the French word for silver. "argent." Where most silver is highly tarnish prone, Argentium is not, making it particularly useful for jewelers and watchmakers looking for novel materials that can withstand a few more years without meticulous polishing.
Bell & Ross was one of these interested watchmakers, and so introduced in 2012 both this Bell Ross Vintage WW1 Argentium Silver alongside another silver, vintage-inspired timepiece in the PW1 Argentium - a pocketwatch with a minute repeater mechanism. Together the watches represented a significant pair of novelties for a brand working to differentiate itself in a competitive market, and in a way, they helped lay the foundation for the modern trend towards alternative case materials we see today. Yet at the time, they were positioned as pioneering, highly niche designs geared toward an enthusiast with an eye toward alternative materials.
This example in overall excellent pre-owned condition, meaning there are very light signs of wear and some small scratches on the case that come with being lived with. The case is crisp with strong lines and has been professionally refinished. The dial is stunning. There are a few very faint scratches on the caseback and rear of the lugs. The caseback is marked with information about the model as well as the serial number. The strap shows signs of light wear with plenty of life left in it. During our quality control check, any necessary adjustments are made to ensure the watch is functioning as intended.
The watch is delivered with the original Bell & Ross box, papers dated 6/29/2016, and manuals.
*NOTE: Please be aware that this watch comes with an alligator leather strap as an accessory. If the watch is shipped to the state of California or any international destination, we will not be able to include the alligator strap due to laws regarding the sale and shipment of exotic leather goods. In this case we will include a fashiontourbillon.com strap.
Bruno Belamich and Carlos Rosillo founded Bell & Ross in 1992. For a young watchmaking firm, Bell & Ross has achieved international renown in a relatively short period of time, thanks to its smart-looking, design-focused timepieces that reference classic aviation ideals. In fact, the company's most popular watches have bold, square cases inspired by flight instruments. Bell & Ross operates a design studio in Paris and manufactures its watches in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland.
