BOUTIQUE
BELL & ROSS
BR-X1 Skeleton Tourbillon Sapphire
Crafting the components to create a watchcase
from a block of sapphire is a true technical
challenge. It requires extended and complex
machining, grinding and polishing and demands
a superior expertise in shaping the transparent
metal. The case of the Bell & Ross BR-X1
Skeleton Tourbillon Sapphire is made from
five individual blocks of aluminum oxide (also
known as sapphire) which are carefully shaped
and polished before being assembled with the
supreme precision.
Suspended within the transparent tank is a
geometric exhibition of Swiss savoir faire. The
tourbillon components garbed in black make a
bold statement as an avant-garde dress watch,
while the blue finish is pure playful sport.
The top of the line here is definitely the solid
gold version. Elegant without overbearing
masses of precious metal, the tranches of gold
suspended in situ within the crystalline frame
create an amazing effect. Four lateral and four
horizontal screws frame and secure the flying
tourbillon movement and enhance the effect of
having a movement suspended in space.
Transparent aluminum cases don’t come
cheap and each of these three pieces unique
represents the ultimate big boy’s toy at
$480,000.
IW RATING
Design: 8 (out of 10)
Excellent display and contrast of visible and
transparent elements.
Innovation: 6
Crafting sapphire is not easy (but has several
precedents).
Finissage: 7
Crystal case is finished to transparent perfection
while mechanical components also receive
multiple finishes.
Legibility: 6
Small skeleton hands embedded with
SuperLuminova mark the time.
Rarity: 10
Only one of each variation will be made.
Value: 8
Rarity factor should maintain a strong
percentage of initial cost in future value.
Overall iW rating: 45 (out of 60)
30 | INTERNATIONAL WATCH | WINTER 2019