[MrTW]

Hi,
I (thought) I decided on a Tag Carrera day/date but stumbled across a BR 126 Original (stunning watch!)

Now, I am back to the drawing board and also include BR into the short list.

My question, not knowing much about BR, how does BR compare to Tag's and Omegas and the like in terms of:

a) quality
b) future depreciation in case I want to upgrade/swatch watches
c) reputation as a luxury watch maker

Any thoughts are highly welcome.

Thanks

 

[Crmsnraider]

Ill focus in on Depreciation. I cant see many Tag's, Omega's keeping MSRP value. Very available and many have them, as far as B&R fits into the picture its lesser known but still, Id mention most watches depreciate (guesstimate 90% of them easy) the moment its bought like a car.

Id focus more so on making your purchase the RIGHT one with the idea of KEEPING a watch as opposed to worrying how much you can get for it if sold after you decide you didnt care for the choice you made.

 

[Jeep99dad]

I love the BR 126 as well just not sure I'd spend that kind of $ on it. I don't know anything about the brand though. I wonder what mvt they use.

 

[Ray916MN]

Bell & Ross is a relative new comer to watch making. The company started originally as the importer and distributor of Sinn watches to the U.S. market under their brand. They have focused on the military and tool watch market and did not start producing their own watches until a little over a decade ago. They have never produced their own movement.

Compared to TAG and in particular the pre-TAG Heuer, and Omega, they have no history or particular horological significance to speak of.

They make nice products, but it will take some time for them to have a reputation close to TAG Heuer and Omega.

 

[MrTW]

Ill focus in on Depreciation. I cant see many Tag's, Omega's keeping MSRP value. Very available and many have them, as far as B&R fits into the picture its lesser known but still, Id mention most watches depreciate (guesstimate 90% of them easy) the moment its bought like a car.

Id focus more so on making your purchase the RIGHT one with the idea of KEEPING a watch as opposed to worrying how much you can get for it if sold after you decide you didnt care for the choice you made.

Thank you for your feedback.

I do agree with your statement, that probably all watches are depreciating the moment you purchase them. Therefore, I dont really see a watch as an investment. That said, I do want to keep my option open in case I would lik to trade at a later stage (though this is definitely not one of the main purposes right now).

Ultimately, I am struggling with finding the right watch as I like several ones and I know that a purchase of this magnitude will be a once a year event (if even that).

 

[MrTW]

Bell & Ross is a relative new comer to watch making. The company started originally as the importer and distributor of Sinn watches to the U.S. market under their brand. They have focused on the military and tool watch market and did not start producing their own watches until a little over a decade ago. They have never produced their own movement.

Compared to TAG and in particular the pre-TAG Heuer, and Omega, they have no history or particular horological significance to speak of.

They make nice products, but it will take some time for them to have a reputation close to TAG Heuer and Omega.

Thank you for the information.

To be honest, I have read that same underlying statement about Raymond Weil watches too along the lines of 'fashion watches'.

Now, given that R&B is producing watches for certain purposes, does that mean that R&B's are not considered high end fashion watches?

 

[thsiao]

Buy the watch YOU like most... Do not worry so much about which brand is better than which. In terms of quality I would say they are close. In terms of reputation the TAG over BR simply because TAG is way more established and known. Most people only know TAG, Rolex, and Omega.

 

[rolex123]

B & R is behind tag and omega in quality and reputation IMO saying that i have been thinking about buying an br-02 blue dial for a while,but have heard a good few stories about them no being very reliable and problems with the movement.

 

[Klesk]

In my opinion, I see Omega along with Breitling and Rolex as quality, (relatively) high end timepieces that are probably well known by the general public. I think each of those 3 have their "signature" look and generally have good reputations among the WIS.

TAG, on the other hand, I liken more to Raymond Weil, as an expensive fashion watch. With no other concrete evidence (beyond my opinion), I point to the fact that TAG has discontinued their only real, hardcore dive watch (and the only TAG that I really want), the Aquagraph.

As for Bell & Ross, I have owned several BR02's and just recently received another, with carbon case and Pro dial. I have never had a problem with any of my BR02's and the presentation is top notch. Also, the '02 I just got is currently running +2 seconds per day, so I don't think accuracy is lacking - the only automatic watch that I own that surpasses that mark is my chronometer-certified Breitling Steelfish, a watch that is well known for extraordinary accuracy.

The only knock I have against Bell & Ross, which is a bonus for you if you are looking for one, is that they don't hold their value well as compared to Omega or Breitling. I think their value on the secondary market is probably on par with TAG which is a minus to me as I consider Bell & Ross to be a superior product. I believe that Bell & Ross would do better, except that it is not a well known brand, even among the WIS.

Again, just my highly subjective opinion, FWIW. BTW, I have never had a problem with TAG, so my opinion is not based upon a bad experience with the watch or with service - I have just formed this opinion over years of buying/selling/trading watches in this range.

 

[77deluxe]

I think Bell & Ross is much better than Tag. Tag is purely a fashion watch. Bell & Ross is a new company, but they give a lot of deference and attention to the classic designs of the past with the intent of establishing themselves as a major serious player in the watch industry. I view Tag as a more expensive Swatch or Swiss army watch. Just my opinion, but an opinion shared by many others. Omega is a classic, Id say a step down from Rolex because there is a bit of "fashion watch" in the brand - possibly because they offer so many quartz models. They have many models that rival Rolex and many that compete with a coach quartz. Go with the Bell & Ross and enjoy it.

 

[akira23]

Personally I would go with the B&R.... Rolex's, Tag's & Omegas can be bought at almost every Mall & Outlets you drive by. But a B&R you don't find everywhere. I've own Rolex's and Omegas, but to me I feel mass produce product does not necessarily mean it's a better product. It all comes down to your taste/preference. Everything depreciates so if you want to invest in a watch, then you need to buy a vintage, Heur (Monaco) Rolex or even a Patek. Perhaps go to your local AD and Test Drive the brands and see which one calls to you!...Just my 'two' cents.....

 

[Wisconsin Proud]

.... Tag is purely a fashion watch. ... I view Tag as a more expensive Swatch or Swiss army watch. Just my opinion, but an opinion shared by many others. Omega is a classic, Id say a step down from Rolex because there is a bit of "fashion watch" in the brand - possibly because they offer so many quartz models. They have many models that rival Rolex and many that compete with a coach quartz. Go with the Bell & Ross and enjoy it.

With all due respect, you need to brush up on TAG's recent history of the past 7 years and understand the watches it has developed and brought to market. B&R has developed nothing on their own compared to TAG in the movement department.

I suppose if watches from the 60s, 70s and 80s are fashion watches, then that's what TAG is. Carrera, Monaco, F1, Silverstone, etc are all styles that have stood the test of time and continue to sell very well today. Yes, they also cater to a broad market but if you want serious watches, TAG makes those, too. Concept 24 system, Caliper 36, Calibre 360, V4, Mikrograph, Cal S, the new Pendulum are all examples of what TAG has done. I doubt anyone would call these fasion watches.

 

[Watchbreath]

Having sold all three, they don't.

 

[77deluxe]

Wisconsin Proud - well put. Point taken. Still like B&R better though.

 

[NickDTCHS]

I agree with Wisconsin Proud. I think they are cool, but B&R watches are way overpriced. I'm not sure if they have staying power.

 

[HR F1]

B&R make some cool pieces; I like the instrument line and the vintage pieces but admittedly, the prices are rather expensive, especially the chronographs and the limited editions. It's not a brand for everyone and they don't have the same name recognition as Omega, Tag and the like.

 

[ImitationOfLife]

I feel like B&R compares to Tag and Omega rather favorably. My dad has two BR03-92 (Phantom and a Military-type). I've handled them and they feel extremely well made and they keep excellent time to boot. He hasn't had any problems with them and out of his collection, he wears the Phantom the most when he dresses casually. He loves them.

 

[publandlord]

RolexTagOmega zzzzzzzzzz

You can read stories about all the others breaking down if you want. (Well, mainly Omega; the others, not so much.) Dull AnyMall watches, not my thing. Guess that's why I'm on this bit of the forum!

 

[cameronweiss]

Re: RolexTagOmega zzzzzzzzzz

Which brand is best is a question of opinions. Personally, I believe that omega is the "best" of the three brands mentioned, but I only say that based on the current co-axial movement offerings. Omega has put millions of dollars into developing movements and re-establishing themselves as a brand under the swatch group. On the other hand Bell & Ross has not invested in their brand to the same extent that Omega has, meaning they are only producing watches with generic ETA movement (that doesn't mean the watches are bad, it just means that a Bell & Ross is "just for looks" because the mechanism is essentially the same as most other "Swiss Made" watches out there). Now for Tag, they have brought shame on watchmaking due to their dishonesty. They lied about investing in their brand and producing a new movement, when the truth was that they had taken an old Seiko movement and re-branded it as a Tag.

All that being said, I would never buy a Tag, I would love to purchase an Omega Co-axial chronograph, and I own two Bell & Ross' (I bought them because I like the way they look, not for the movement).

All are of good quality and workmanship, but your choice should always come down to what brings you the most joy to own.

FYI, the Bell & Ross watches I own are the Dimineur and the Space 3 GMT (I have never been to space or disarmed a bomb, but I like the watches)

 

[Xspect]

Re: RolexTagOmega zzzzzzzzzz

I have own all three brands.

BR arent innovators in movements, dress watch, or leaders in design.
They lack the same histroy as Tag or Omega
I see them as more of a very high end fashion watch.
I feel they are very over priced.
Would I own another ? maybe, I love some of the stuff in the history line.