The Star Malaysia - Star2

In the fast lane

Bell & Ross celebrates Formula 1’s return to France with the latest piece of the RS 18 collection.

- By MERIEM ARIF star2@thestar.com.my

BELL & Ross, in celebratio­n of the reopening of the French Grand Prix, revealed the release of their new piece from the R.S.18 collection, the Vintage BR V2-94.

Formula 1 last appeared in France in 2008 when the country hosted the race at Circuit De Nevers Magny-Cours. This year, the race returns to a bijou French village, Le Castellet, located in southeaste­rn France, to be hosted at Circuit Paul Ricard, allowing the track to experience its first Grand Prix rubber compounds-filled racing slicks since 1990.

The French watchmaker, having recently reinforced its official partnershi­p with the Renault Sport Formula One Team, celebrated the shared passion for quality performanc­e, mechanical engineerin­g, speed and sports design of the two companies with its first presentati­on of a Vintage model from the collection­s related to the collaborat­ion.

In paying tribute to the return of Formula One to France, the French flag will be stamped on the featured black rubber strap of the BR V2-94 R.S.18. The piece will also be embellishe­d in black and yellow carbon fibre dial in recognitio­n of the colours of the Renault Sport Formula One Team.

The water-resistant watch brings forth a delicate combinatio­n between the intricacy and precision required in both racing and watch design to create a fusion with an automatic mechanical movement equipped masterpiec­e.

It is composed of a steel bezel with an anodised black aluminium ring and tachymeter scale that creates a beautiful fusion of the two brands, all designed in a 41 mm case in satin-finished steel.

The BR V2-94 R.S.18 has a yellow internal minute track and two counters, one in red for optimal legibility of the chronograp­h function.

Invented to measure short periods of time, it enables the performanc­e of vehicles on the track to be measured with great accuracy. The bezel also features a tachymeter scale which allows a car’s speed to be instantly calculated over a given distance.

Like the intricate complexity of Formula 1’s 1.6 litre four-stroke turbocharg­ed 90 degree V6 reciprocat­ing engines, the watch comes with a micro-perforated calfskin strap with carbon fibre effect and a yellow lining or a bracelet in satin-finished polished steel.

Both are equipped with exquisite satin-polished folding buckles that are worthy enough to make any racing enthusiast fall head over heels.

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 ??  ?? The Vintage BR V2-94 from the RS 18 collection. — Bell & Ross
The Vintage BR V2-94 from the RS 18 collection. — Bell & Ross

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