Bell & Ross Bellytanker Chronograph #NEGRONITIME for The Rake

When 2020 happened and the lockdowns began, the Negroni somehow gained a different and, to us, even more important significance. It became a symbol of resistance against the encroaching darkness. It was almost as if, amid the miasma of confusion, its bright red colour stood out like a steadfast beacon of solidarity. More and more around the world, it seemed like Negronis were raised almost like defiant middle fingers at the Covid pandemic, as if to say it would not crush our spirits.

As we worked on the Covid-19 Solidarity Auction run by The Rake and Revolution, which raised over USD 280,000 for organisations such as the NHS in England and the Red Cross in Italy, it was a Negroni that we would often reward ourselves with the end of each day, oftentimes with a photograph uploaded to Instagram pages such as @wei_koh_revolution, @therake and @revolution.watch with the uniting hashtag, #NEGRONITIME. Then an interesting conversation with Bell & Ross Co-founder & CEO, Carlos Rosillo occurred.

It seemed like a foregone conclusion as we discussed the phenomenon of the Negroni, which had gone from a cocktail to an incredible community symbol, to create a watch inspired by the Negroni to symbolise the friendships and shared moments we all miss so much.

We discovered that a Negroni possesses a colour unique in the world. It is neither red nor orange, and depending on how the light hits, it can have an amber halo and even pockets of deep ruby red. After a great deal of exchange on Pantones, we finally arrived at a colour that we feel perfectly represents the colour of a Negroni. The dial on this 50-piece limited edition is one which uses both a sunray finish and many layers of lacquer to create an almost liquid-like hyperlush effect.

As a way of saying thanks for your continued support, your watch will also come with a WM Brown X WOLF Watch Roll, crafted in classic smooth brown leather and lined with a Negroni tweed. The roll features WOLF’s patented Watch Guards to keep your timepieces protected, for when we can travel to meet for that drink, soon enough.