For the centenary of the start of the Great War, Bell & Ross is launching a special series timekeeper which bears the name of the legendary French pilot Georges Guynemer. The new limited edition consisting of 500 pieces features a few tributes to the aviator whose name it carries. Namely, its dial depicts an image of a stork which was the symbol of his unit. Even more obvious nod to Guynemer is an engraving of the famed pilot himself on the case-back. As for the technical traits of Bell & Ross Vintage WW1 Guynemer, one should say it is a three-hand timepiece that runs on a self-winding mechanical movement.
Bell & Ross WW1 Guynemer Watch
An Unlikely Hero
Despite being initially rejected for military service because of his weak constitution, Geogres Guynemer eventually turned out to be one of the greatest heroes of the French army during the World War I. The youth of the Frenchman with the aristocratic origin was marred with diseases, which was the reason for his weaker built that initially kept him out of the military service, despite his strong wish. However, Guynemer managed to find a backdoor to the army when he had first been accepted as a mechanic and then subsequently became a pilot. After the acceptance into the service, he soon got a reputation of a great pilot. Most of his ascend as an aviator (no pun intended) came during his engagement in the French aviation unit with the nickname The Storks. More victories followed and Guynemer rose to the rank of Captain, as well as earned a legendary status as one of the best known French pilots. Despite his remarkable skill, Guynemer did not see the end of the Great War because he and his aircraft perished during a mission in 1917.
A Simple Three-Hand Automatic Watch
To commemorate the great aviator, Bell & Ross is launching a limited edition dedicated to the Frenchmen for the centenary of the start of the World War I. The 500-piece restricted series is a part of the Vintage series and its sub-category of WW1 that was premiered three years ago. In that sense, the newcomer is not so special since it does not include any novel technical traits. On the contrary, it is actually among the simplest of the pieces in the lineage since it has no other functions except three central hands. Its appeal actually lays in the personalized details visible on the face and the rear of the watch.
Bell & Ross WW1 Guynemer Watch Back
As for the face, it is in opaline color and protected with a glare-proofed domed sapphire crystal which is on the other hand surrounded with a fixed bezel. The opaline dial with the railroad minute track at the perimeter features Arabic numerals in beige shade filled with SuperLuminova coating in the matching color. The same colored coating is used to fill its blued and skeletonized hour and minute hands.
Another tribute to Guynemer is found on the solid metal rear side of its round bead blasted stainless steel case with PVD finish and the diameter of 45 mm. As it has been mentioned, the case-back of the watch with the waterproofness of 50 meters is ornamented with an engraving that depicts the face of the legendary aviator to whom it is dedicated. Finally, it should be said that Bell & Ross Vintage WW1 Guynemer has a stamped natural calfskin strap in brown color. The attachment with contrasted stitching fastens with a buckle tongue clasp.
