Introduced in 2008, the popular Deepsea took the Sea-Dweller to another level, more than tripling its water resistance to an impressive 12,800 feet / 3,990 meters. This actually is the result of a fair share of engineering marvels, including the 5mm-thick sapphire crystal to bear the underwater pressure assisted by a visible Ringlock system that keeps the watch’s thickness under the range of 18mm. Besides, of course, the replica watches features a Cerachrom bezel, and the new Chromalight lume. In summary, this was the Formula 1 of Rolex divers, in a 44mm case. 
A very unique edition was released in 2014 to commemorate James Cameron’s 2012 expedition into the Mariana Trench. The D-Blue edition was an event in itself, as the fake Rolex almost never acts like this. The replica watch wasn’t strictly limited in number, and remains available to this day, with its gradient blue dial having found some die-hard enthusiasts. And if you feel 44mm might be too big, this has to be compared to the 51mm measurements of the custom Deepsea Challenge that survived a depth of 10,908 meters on the side of James Cameron’s vessel. That’s serious.
With the introduction of this very unique model, the Sea-Dweller returned in 2014 after a five-year absence. Surely, the watch received a bezel upgrade to Cerachrom ceramic instead of the aluminum of the former Sea-Dweller. The case went back to 40mm, with lugs thinner than those of the replica Rolex Submariner. It gave many details that vintage enthusiasts could relate to, from the Maxi dial with oversized indexes to the full minute markings on the bezel, also found on the vintage MilSub. It also features the modern comfort of the Glidelock adjustment on the clasp and the effective blue Chromalight lume.
However, this special model is also the most short-lived Sea-Dweller in history, replaced just a couple of years after its original release. Despite its technical feats, it never managed to justify its price premium over the Submariner, often solely being identified as the “Submariner without cyclops.” However, as soon as the news of its disappearance hit Basel this year, the second-hand value of the great watch suddenly soared. 
Ben reviewed the new model very closely earlier this year, and you probably remember the watch’s most striking novelty: a cyclop over the date. It became the very first Sea-Dweller to feature one, a radical departure from the original model. Yet, its single red line also offers an amazing nod to the first prototype Sea-Dwellers.
Very apparently, these replica watches has grown to 43mm, differentiating it even more from the Submariner, which has stayed at 40mm. However, the lug size also grew to 22mm, which preserved the watch’s proportions in the process.
Month: January 2018
Replica Bell & Ross’s New Belly tanker Collection with Big Event Here
Speed and “extreme machines” have always been a big effect on Bell & Ross, the cult watch brand founded in Paris in 1992 which has been steering course towards more horologically perfect replica watches since opening its own manufacture in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland in 1992. This brand, which pays homage to fighter jet instrumentation in recent years, has been creating concept cars and motorbikes alongside watch collections echoing the speed, style, and beauty of these machines. 
In 2014 they launched the B-Rocket, a retro-styled streamlined motorbike evoking those built to break land speed records at the Bonneville Salt Flats. In 2016 they made the Aero GT aircraft-inspired supercar concept with a more modern “stealth fighter” vibe. Now, let’s move on to the fake watches by Bell and Ross.
The Belly tanker watches combine both aeronautical influences and numerous nods to the watch making world, as Bell & Ross puts it. The bodywork – essentially part of an airplane that’s been re-purposed with four wheels – equates to the case of a watch. The glass covering the cockpit is the watch’s crystal. Copper detailing is a nod to the decoration on certain 1940s-era timepieces. And you can take it where you will from there. The first watch in the new Belly tanker Collection is the BR-V1 92, a classic round-dialed piece with an offset date window which is otherwise aimed at pleasing purists. The solid case back features an engraved image of the Belly tanker, while the “ultra-curved” sapphire crystal brings to mind the glass covering an airplane cockpit. The metallic copper dial is echoed on the race car’s wheel rims. And the aircraft-shaped counterweight on the seconds’ hand is one of Bell & Ross’ new signature details. 
The BR-V2 94 meanwhile is the real closer. A chronograph version of the BR-V1, it apparently stakes stylistic cues from the replica rolex Daytona and Speed master models but with a distinctive Bell & Ross edge and a nod to the famed P-51 Mustang fighter. Available on either a brown leather strap or stainless steel bracelet, the case size is better suited to men of style at 41 mm, while the sapphire case back reveals the chronograph movement. The bezel features a typical tachymeter scale. And the “panda” dial with its contrasting black sundials is a real winner. The black of the minute track evokes the “stealth” paintwork on the Belly tanker’s nose. And the metal skeleton hands are filled with Superluminova for visibility in all conditions. Both are being produced in a limited edition of 500 pieces, so apparently, the BR-V2 94 at least is destined to become coveted by collectors.