BELL & ROSS ADDS AN ENTIRELY NEW COLLECTION, BR 05, to
its lineup of contemporary and vintage-tinged aeronautical watches.
Retaining the well-known Bell & Ross circle-in-a-square design, the
new BR 05 features a 40mm modified square case with rounded
edges that has been linked directly into its steel bracelet, creating Bell
& Ross’s first integrated steel watch.
Directly referencing the groundbreaking integrated steel watches
of the 1970s, Bell & Ross’s BR 05 design essentially is an evolution of
its cockpit-inspired BR 03. Bell & Ross has placed its very identifiable
12-6-9 numerals and four bezel screws exactly where you’d expect
them on a Bell & Ross aviation watch, but has unexpectedly framed
them with curved, polished bezel and case edges that nicely meld into
a new steel bracelet.
“This integration of case and bracelet is not only in line with the
brand’s visual identity, it also brings another dimension to the watch:
the first link forms part of the case,” explains Bell & Ross co-founder
and creative director Bruno Belamich. Co-founder and CEO Carlos
Rosillo adds that “the arc of the curve allow the components to be
perfectly aligned and ensures the bracelet can adapt seamlessly to
any wrist.” (Read more comments from Carlos Rosillo about BR 05 in a
special iW interview below.)
The watch’s satin-finished surfaces, which include the top-facing
side of the broad bezel and the primary bracelet links, are perfectly
flat and are nicely emphasized by carefully polished bevels. Dials are
offered in sunray-patterned dark blue, black and grey.
Bell & Ross is also debuting a limited edition steel-cased BR 05 with
its automatic movement skeletonized to better show off the Sellita
SW300-based Caliber BR-CAL322 movement, the open-worked
version of the Caliber BR321 placed into the primary BR 05 collection.
For the skeleton edition, limited to 500 pieces, Bell & Ross removes the
date and the numerals, replacing them with luminous markers. All BR
05 models feature a clear sapphire caseback, which nicely frames the
360-degree open-worked rotor.
While Bell & Ross is emphasizing its integrated bracelet with BR
05, the collection is also available with a black or blue ribbed rubber
strap. Finally, Bell & Ross is also offering a rose gold BR 05 (not
pictured here), complete with a solid-gold integrated bracelet or a
black rubber strap.
Prices: BR 05 Black Steel on rubber strap: $4,400; on steel bracelet:
$4,900
BR 05 Blue Steel on rubber strap: $4,400; on steel bracelet: $4,900
BR 05 Skeleton on rubber strap: $5,900; on steel bracelet: $6,400
BR 05 Gold: On a rubber strap: $21,500; on gold bracelet: $32,500
FALL 2019 | INTERNATIONAL WATCH | 75