# Can anyone testify to the quality of Bell & Ross watches? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [April 16, 2008, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-anyone-testify-to-the-quality-of-bell-ross-watches/445635 "2008-04-16T19:47:10Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![magellan01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@magellan01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/magellan01)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2008, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-anyone-testify-to-the-quality-of-bell-ross-watches/445635/1 "2008-04-16T19:47:10Z")
Does anyone own a Bell & Ross watch? Like it? Hate it? How’s the bracelet? How do they compare to Rolex? Do they hold their value like a Rolex? I like they way they look, but if I’m going to spend that much dough, I thought I’d ask around. Thanks. ---
**Author:** ![samclem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a9a28c/32.png) [@samclem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samclem)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2008, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-anyone-testify-to-the-quality-of-bell-ross-watches/445635/2 "2008-04-16T22:32:53Z")
Since we’re after opinions here, let’s move this to IMHO. **samclem** GQ moderator. ---
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2008, 12:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-anyone-testify-to-the-quality-of-bell-ross-watches/445635/3 "2008-04-17T00:03:20Z")
[QUOTE=samclem] Since we’re after opinions here, let’s move this to IMHO. **samclem** GQ moderator. [/QUOTE] Re using Rolex as the apogee of watch quality you really shouldn’t. Rolex is (at best) a middling quality ‘fine’ watch. They do a very good job with the case and bracelet craftsmanship and finishing, and the mass produced movement is quite reliable, but (as finer watch movements go) fairly pedestrian, and for quite a few watch geeks Rolex really isn’t considered a true fine watch from a technological perspective, although it’s priced like a fine watch. And to give credit where due they are the God Kings of marketing. In that they are second to none. Re Bell & Ross they occupy a popular niche as an [“instrument watch”.](http://www.watchreport.com/bell_ross/) They have generally received quite good ratings for the price re overall quality, but re “holding value”, the appeal of their “instrument panel” look is going to be more focused to watch geeks and others who can appreciate the technology and the aesthetic involved, so resale value is more open to question. But, to be frank with if you’re buying a watch with re-sale value as a predominant concern vs the craft and aesthetic of the watch, you’re probably better off sicking to a Rolex. [More Bell & Ross info](http://www.watchreport.com/2005/01/bell_amp_ross_w.html) ---
**Author:** ![magellan01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@magellan01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/magellan01)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2008, 3:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-anyone-testify-to-the-quality-of-bell-ross-watches/445635/4 "2008-04-17T03:00:22Z")
[QUOTE=samclem] Since we’re after opinions here, let’s move this to IMHO. **samclem** GQ moderator. [/QUOTE] Makes sense. Thanks. ---
**Author:** ![magellan01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@magellan01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/magellan01)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2008, 3:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-anyone-testify-to-the-quality-of-bell-ross-watches/445635/5 "2008-04-17T03:04:54Z")
[QUOTE=astro] Re using Rolex as the apogee of watch quality you really shouldn’t. Rolex is (at best) a middling quality ‘fine’ watch. They do a very good job with the case and bracelet craftsmanship and finishing, and the mass produced movement is quite reliable, but (as finer watch movements go) fairly pedestrian, and for quite a few watch geeks Rolex really isn’t considered a true fine watch from a technological perspective, although it’s priced like a fine watch. And to give credit where due they are the God Kings of marketing. In that they are second to none. Re Bell & Ross they occupy a popular niche as an [“instrument watch”.](http://www.watchreport.com/bell_ross/) They have generally received quite good ratings for the price re overall quality, but re “holding value”, the appeal of their “instrument panel” look is going to be more focused to watch geeks and others who can appreciate the technology and the aesthetic involved, so resale value is more open to question. But, to be frank with if you’re buying a watch with re-sale value as a predominant concern vs the craft and aesthetic of the watch, you’re probably better off sicking to a Rolex. [More Bell & Ross info](http://www.watchreport.com/2005/01/bell_amp_ross_w.html) [/QUOTE] Yeah, I read that article. Thanks. I’m not buying it predominantly to the degree to which it holds its value, but I thought I’d try to see where the B&R stood on that scale. Also, and more important, on the durability scale. I’e been to the store and been to their site, but I was trying to get a less biased opinion. They appear to be a really good watch, possibly as good as a Rolex., but for considerably less money. I wonder the degree to which that is true and how much of a premium you pay for the Rolex badge. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2008, 3:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-anyone-testify-to-the-quality-of-bell-ross-watches/445635/6 "2008-04-17T03:23:42Z")
[QUOTE=magellan01] I wonder the degree to which that is true and how much of a premium you pay for the Rolex badge. [/QUOTE] I think a watch similar to a Rolex Submariner is the Omega Seamaster. From [this site](http://www.pmwf.com/cgi-bin/ForumArchive/webbbs_config.cgi?noframes;read=54896): > [@](#): > > CONCLUSION > > On the surface, the two watches may seem quite evenly matched; however, closer examination and a long period of ownership of both watches reveal very significant differences in quality as outlined in this comparative review. When price is factored into the equation, a clear conclusion cannot be drawn as to which of the two watches is actually better because they offer performance and levels of quality that are respective of their price points. > > When the unrealistic assumption is made that price does not matter, the Seamaster performs admirably; yet, the Submariner is the better watch of the two. The Omega is simply not built to the same level of quality as the Rolex. The Submariner remains the benchmark by which all other dive watches are measured, and when a design attains such status of timelessness, it is indicative of the fact that it has achieved a certain level of perfection. The Sub seems to have an MSRP of about $5,175 nowadays. The Seamaster retails for about half that. But whereas Rolex dealers seldom (if ever) give a discount, you can probably get a Seamaster 30% off. As for resale value, see the link for the Seamaster. I don’t know what my GMT Master II is worth on the used market, but the MSRP for a new one has gone up about $2,000 since I bought it. What it comes down to is personal taste. I like the way the Oyster looks. I like the big chunk of stainless steel. I like automatic movements. I like that it’s really, really un-hip to wear a Rolex. (Although I doubt anyone really notices what watch you wear.) If you like it, get it. If not, don’t. Better yet, start a collection. I’ve got a couple of blue-faced 34-year-old Seiko Bell-Matics I like to wear. ---
**Author:** ![madmonk28](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madmonk28/32/20811_2.png) [@madmonk28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madmonk28)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2008, 3:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-anyone-testify-to-the-quality-of-bell-ross-watches/445635/7 "2008-04-17T03:52:03Z")
I’m a bit of a watch geek and I have a couple of watches that are expensive (for me) but nowhere near the prices that some watches go for. Ultimately, there is no rational reason for buying a watch that costs more than a $30 timex. So, if you are spending more than that, it’s a purely emotional decision. As **Johnny L.A.** says, if you want it, buy it. For me, every watch I’ve bought has been because of a “I must have it” moment. The hard part as been justifiying the purchase to my wife.