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Bell & Ross Vintage BR 123 GMT 24H Review: Specs, GMT Setting and Buying Advice

The Bell & Ross BR 123 GMT 24H pairs a 24-hour second-time-zone display with vintage styling, but its official page conflicts on case size and currently shows the watch as sold out.
Estimate4–5 min Catalogued SpecialistWatchRanker Team
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The Bell & Ross BR 123 GMT 24H, reference BRV123-BL-GMT/SST, is an automatic steel watch with a second time zone shown on a 24-hour scale. Its appeal is a restrained, vintage-leaning design rather than a feature-packed travel watch. Bell & Ross’s US listing currently shows it as sold out, and even its stated case size is inconsistent: the page headline says 41 mm, while its technical specification says 42 mm. If you are considering one, confirm the dimensions and condition of the exact example before buying.

What the BR 123 GMT 24H offers

Bell & Ross calls this model the BR 123 24H. Its reference is BRV123-BL-GMT/SST. The brand lists an automatic mechanical BR-CAL.303 movement with hours, minutes, seconds, date and a second time zone on a 24-hour GMT display. The black dial has applied metal numerals and indexes, beneath an anti-reflective sapphire crystal; the watch also has a fixed graduated bezel and sapphire case back. Bell & Ross’s US product page lists a polished-satin steel case, black woven rubber strap, steel pin buckle and 100 m water resistance.

The 100 m rating is the manufacturer’s specification, not an independent test. It does not establish the water resistance of a particular pre-owned watch, which can be affected by age, seal condition, service history or damage.

Case size: check the specific watch

Bell & Ross’s US product page gives two different diameters: 41 mm in the headline and 42 mm in the technical specifications. Fratello’s 2014 review also describes the watch as 42 mm. Because the manufacturer’s page conflicts with itself, do not assume the listing headline settles the question; ask the seller or Bell & Ross to confirm the dimensions of the exact watch you are considering.

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#1 Best Overall
Bell & Ross BR 03-93 GMT Red/Black Bezel BR0393-BL-ST/SCA
  • Movement: calibre BR-CAL.303. Automatic mechanical.
  • Water-resistance: 100 metres.
  • Bi-directional rotating bezel with 24-hour scale and black and red two-colour anodised aluminium ring.
  • Straps: black coloured calfskin leather and ultra-resilient black synthetic fabric.
  • Functions: hours, minutes, central seconds, second 24-hour time zone and date. Quick setting of the GMT hand, independently of the hour hand.

How the GMT display works

The watch indicates a second time zone with a separate 24-hour hand read against the graduated bezel. The 24-hour scale distinguishes day from night in the second zone. Bell & Ross’s BRV movement notice also describes using the bezel to display a third time zone by accounting for the time difference. That is family-level guidance, so consult the technical notice supplied with this exact reference before relying on a particular setting sequence.

Setting the second time zone

The available instructions do not agree on the crown position: the BRV movement notice describes the crown in position 2, while Fratello’s 2014 hands-on review says to pull it to position 1. The notice says to put the bezel in its neutral position, with its triangle opposite the dial’s 12 index, then turn the crown clockwise to move the GMT hand to the desired section of the bezel. Since crown positions and procedures can vary by movement or model, follow the instructions supplied for the watch rather than treating either account as definitive for every BRV123-BL-GMT/SST.

What the 2014 review found

In a review published September 8, 2014, Robert-Jan Broer of Fratello described the watch as clean-looking and modest in appearance, with a practical second time zone. He liked its vintage-leaning design and the look and feel of the woven rubber strap, and reported comfortable wear on an average men’s wrist. He also said the GMT hand was easy to set. Those are the reviewer’s impressions of the example he handled, not a current independent assessment.

Broer noted a visual resemblance to Explorer-style GMT watches; that is his comparison, not an established design-history claim. He also attributed an ETA 2893 basis to the movement, while noting that Bell & Ross did not state this on its website or press release. The manufacturer identifies the calibre as BR-CAL.303, and the reviewed sources do not establish an official equivalence between it and the ETA 2893.

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Availability and price context

When checked in 2026, Bell & Ross’s US product page displayed a price of $4,100 and marked the watch unavailable or sold out. That page price is not evidence of current resale value or a price at which a buyer can actually obtain one. Fratello recorded a €2,700 list price in its 2014 review; it is a historical figure, not a current market comparison. The available sources do not establish a market-wide average or the watch’s present resale value.

What to check before buying a pre-owned example

With the official US listing unavailable, a buyer may encounter this watch through a pre-owned seller. These are general due-diligence checks, not model-specific findings:

Rank #4
Bell & Ross BR-03 Automatic Black Dial Watch BR03A-BL-ST/SRB (Pre-Owned)
  • Pre-Owned Bell & Ross BR 03 BR03A-BL-ST/SRB
  • This watch is Certified Pre-Owned in New or Like New condition. Watch may show subtle scratches. The case should exhibit no dents or dings and the bracelet should show little wear or stretch. The watch keeps time according to manufacturer’s specification and needs no mechanical service.
  • Box and papers
  • Watch Year : . All images shown are of the actual watch.
  • Watch comes with 2-year WatchBox warranty
  • Confirm the reference is BRV123-BL-GMT/SST and ask for clear photographs of the watch and its markings.
  • Use a qualified specialist or the brand to authenticate it if you cannot establish provenance confidently.
  • Request service records and ask when water resistance was last checked; do not rely on the original rating as proof that an older example is sealed.
  • Inspect the case, crystal, strap and buckle for wear or damage, and ask whether the watch has been repaired or altered.
  • Check whether box and papers are included, and read the seller’s return terms before payment.
  • If strap replacement matters, confirm lug width, mounting and compatible part numbers with Bell & Ross or a qualified watchmaker. The reviewed sources do not establish those dimensions or aftermarket compatibility.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Support on Ko-Fi

Care guidance

The Bell & Ross BRV movement notice excerpt recommends rinsing a watch after seawater immersion and checking water resistance every two years. Because the notice covers a movement family and its applicability to this exact reference is not confirmed here, check the technical notice supplied with the watch or ask Bell & Ross before treating that interval as reference-specific advice.

Quick Recap

Bestseller No. 1
Bell & Ross BR 03-93 GMT Red/Black Bezel BR0393-BL-ST/SCA
Bell & Ross BR 03-93 GMT Red/Black Bezel BR0393-BL-ST/SCA
Movement: calibre BR-CAL.303. Automatic mechanical.; Water-resistance: 100 metres.; Straps: black coloured calfskin leather and ultra-resilient black synthetic fabric.
$4,390.00
Bestseller No. 3
Bestseller No. 4
Bell & Ross BR-03 Automatic Black Dial Watch BR03A-BL-ST/SRB (Pre-Owned)
Bell & Ross BR-03 Automatic Black Dial Watch BR03A-BL-ST/SRB (Pre-Owned)
Pre-Owned Bell & Ross BR 03 BR03A-BL-ST/SRB; Box and papers; Watch Year : . All images shown are of the actual watch.
$3,450.00
Bestseller No. 5
Bell and Ross Diver Automatic Blue Dial Men's Watch BR0392-D-BU-ST/SRB
Bell and Ross Diver Automatic Blue Dial Men's Watch BR0392-D-BU-ST/SRB
Featuring a Blue Band, Silver-tone Case, Scratch Resistant Sapphire Crystal
$4,150.00
Best Value
Bell and Ross Diver Automatic Blue Dial Men's Watch BR0392-D-BU-ST/SRB
  • Featuring a Blue Band, Silver-tone Case, Scratch Resistant Sapphire Crystal

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

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