For three decades Bell & Ross has been transferring flight instruments from the cockpit to the wrist through its utilitarian timepieces.
Besides the pilot, diver and racer universes, its watchmaking caters to urbanites, following the launch of a family of contemporary timepieces in 2019. New releases under the Urban collection include limited-edition BR 05 Chrono Edición Limitada and BR 05 Skeleton Green.
An urban instrument, the BR 05 appeals with round and square lines. Housed in a square case with four screws on the edges, it evolved from the BR 03 by having softer lines through its rounded corners.
The integration of the bracelet makes the first link an element of the case, and the construction is at an angle that follows the wrist contour for a secure and comfortable fit.
A more distinctive variation of the BR 05 chronograph, the BR 05 Chrono Edición Limitada is the third in the series of cigar-inspired watches.
Bell & Ross previously celebrated tobacco in the rose gold BR Vintage 126 XL Edición Limitada and red gold WW1 Edición Limitada in 2006 and 2015.
Available in 250 pieces, the BR 05 Chrono Edición Limitada shines in a mix of materials, with the bezel and strap links made from rose gold while the 42mm case and the rest of the strap are in steel.
Referencing Havana cigars, the chronograph evokes the Robusto -- a thick, short cigar with a square tip. The palette of brown, pink and deep red recalls the Maduro cigar, whose dark brown wrapper is finished with a red and gold ring.
The dial is in matte brown, as a nod to the tobacco leaf surrounding the cigar. Gold covers the small, subtle details, like the outline of the chronograph counters while red ablazes on the stopwatch hands, evoking the cigar bands.
Recalling the cigar's roots, the Edición Limitada inscription on the dial is written in red and in Spanish.
The counters at 3 and 9 o'clock respectively indicate the seconds and chronograph minutes while the date is displayed in a discreet window set between 4 and 5 o'clock.
Powered by the self-winding BR-CAL301 movement, the BR 05 Chrono Edición Limitada can be matched with a brown rubber strap. In co-ordinating colours with the collector's timepiece, the wooden case is designed to easily turn into an authentic cigar box.
Headquartered in Paris, Bell & Ross was co-founded in 1992 by Carlos A. Rosillo, who's a cigar lover. He's behind the business strategies while the other co-founder Bruno Belamich oversees the creative watchmaking and production in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland.
Three years ago, the Franco-Swiss brand also introduced the steel BR 05 Skeleton in grey, which was followed by a blue interpretation and a Nightlum version illuminated by Super-LumiNova C5, respectively in 2020 and 2021.
Exposing the mechanical heart, the models in this series are distinguished by the colour of the crystal covering the mechanism. The fourth and newest member differs with a deep olive green that contrasts beautifully with the 40mm steel case.
The movement and dial assembly are based on a complex construction: it consists of the watch mechanism covered with green-tinted crystal, then a flange housing the indexes, all magnified by sapphire crystal.
The skeleton work magnifies the mechanism by cutting out the maximum material to reveal the essential. Hence, the BR-CAL-322 calibre is left in full view and the transparent dial shows the mechanism in working mode.
The sapphire crystal back further reveals the automatic-winding movement and its swinging oscillating weight, whose design is reminiscent of a sports car wheel trim.
Available in 500 pieces, the BR 05 Skeleton Green is worn with a steel bracelet or a rubber strap for a more sporty look.
Bell & Ross watches are available at Cortina Watch, CentralPlaza Lardprao. For more information visit bellross.com.
