Bell & Ross BR V2-94 Bellytanker Bronze

Quick specs Bell & Ross BR V2-94 Bellytanker Bronze
Price: $ 5,250 | € 5.400 | £ 5,000 | CHF 5’100
Size: 41 mm
Reference:
BRV294-EM-BR/SCA (brown)
BRV294-MJ-BR/SCA (green) – limited to 50 pieces each

The Bell & Ross BR V2-94 Bellytanker Bronze in mint and espresso are not the usual models you expect from the French brand. As almost all their models are based on the design of airplane cockpits, with square cases and round dials.

But these Bellytankers, a kind of funny-sounding name for a serious device, are available too. And they are pretty cool as well. Let’s take a look at these green (mint) and brown (espresso) colored bronze chronographs.

What is a bellytanker?

A bellytanker is a type of high-speed, streamlined vehicle that originated from a unique source: the external fuel tanks used on fighter planes during and after World War II. The name “bellytanker” comes from these fuel tanks, which were mounted on the underside (belly) of military aircraft, such as the P-51 Mustang or P-38 Lightning.

After the war, these surplus fuel tanks were repurposed by hot-rodders and land-speed racers to create incredibly fast, lightweight cars designed for racing, particularly on salt flats like Bonneville in the U.S. Check our articles of the Bell & Ross BR V2-94 Bellytanker and Bell & Ross BR V1-92 Bellytanker for more nice pictures of such a car.

No bellytanker on the watch

Unfortunately, the watch only bears the name “Bellytanker”, furthermore it has nothing to do with those old cars. Unless you count the ultra-domed sapphire as a belly-like style. And bronze is not one of the materials used in old planes. However, both dial colors match perfectly with the bronze case.

The case measures 41 millimeters and has a bronze bezel with an aluminium inlay with a tachymeter scale. The dial itself has a sunray finish, with gold tones for the markers and hands. The brown version has a gold-toned central chronograph hand, and the green version sports a lime-colored chronograph hand. Both with an airplane-styled counterweight.

The Bell & Ross BR V2-94 Bellytanker Bronze has a power reserve of 38 hours

The movement of the Bell & Ross BR V2-94 Bellytanker Bronze is the Bell & Ross caliber BR-CAL.301. An automatic based on the ETA caliber 2894-2, here with a power reserve of 38 hours. To obtain a water resistance of 100 meters / 330 feet the crown and pushers are screw-down.

Both watches come on a perforated calfskin leather strap, matching the case. So, either brown or green, and both with a satin-finished and polished bronze folding buckle. And both models are limited to 50 pieces each.