Back in the year 2000, our watchlifestyler friend Juan Carlos sold this Bell & Ross Space 2 to one of his fellow friends and work colleagues, who happens to also be a watchlifestyler. The deal took place in Mexico City. Juan Carlos mentions that he still remembers the deal as if it had taken place yesterday and also how much he had missed this watch after departing his collection.
Juan Carlos and his friend Memo didn't stay much in touch after they both have moved back to the U.S. Last year, Memo decided to take a job in Chicago where Juan Carlos is now residing. They had reconnected since then and a couple of weeks ago they decided to meet up for a few drinks and finally catch up properly regarding the watch. Memo brought the watch over to dinner and left if with Juan Carlos so that we could properly review it and picture it. This Bell & Ross is now a very hard to find piece. If you find one is very likely that it will be in terrible abused condition. Fortunately, this one has held up nicely and is starting to show some nice light cream patina on the dial markers.
Long gone are the days of the Bell & Ross watches designed and manufactured by Sinn, the German company. This chronograph houses a Lemania 5100 caliber which is a true chronograph movement and not just a chrono module. This watch comes with day and date indicators, military 24-hr time register at 12 o'clock and a power-reserve of 45 hours. The chrono minutes and seconds are located on the central pinion opposed to registers on the dial. The running seconds are at 9 o'clock, while the chrono 12-hour register is located at 6 o'clock.
The stainless steel case and bracelet are bead-blasted to offer extra durability and scratch protection, the watch is waterproof to a depth of 200m/600ft, fitted with a flip-lock clasp, flight-suit extension, and a anti-glare double-coated sapphire crystal with a somewhat redish tint to it. In our opinion, this watch has one of the best anti-glare coatings we've ever seen during our collecting life. Another interesting characteristic of this watch—and that Mr. H didn't remember up until the re-encounter— is that the case is also anti-magnetic.
Below you will find some of the shots taken at the time Memo picked up Juan Carlos on his Porsche Cayenne Turbo. They had a few drinks and food at the JW Marriot and here are some nigh shots of the occasion.
At 40.3 mm, a weight of approximately 155 grams and somewhere in the $3,500-4,500 price range —depending on condition—, this collector's timepiece is one that you cannot pass on if you ever come across one that is up for sale.
Here are the shots taken the next day. Now you can really appreciate the watch and its beauty. If you find one, give us a call and we'll let Juan Carlos know as Memo won't sell back this one.
Sticker Price $3,500-4,500 USD. For more info on Bell & Ross click here.
