Bell & Ross

Bell & Ross has made a name for themselves not by selling watchmaking expertise, or a historic brand name, or innovating in any way. They don’t even come up with compelling names for their different models. The Horograph and Horolum names, for example, according to Bell & Ross, were derived from the common root “Horo”, from the Latin “Hora” (hour), followed by “Graph” (graphics) or “Lum”, from the Latin “Lumen” (light). Who the hell came up with these names? One is said to be based on airport terminal clocks, and the other on runaways. And you can see the airport terminal clock aesthetic in the design of the so-called “Horograph,” but I fail to see how the luminous material on the “Horolum” is related to the runway at an airport, at least without laughing. My point is basically when you

Sapphire crystal watch cases are not a new thing. We have covered at least four, dating back to 2012. Two from Richard Mille, here and here, and one from H. Moser & Cie and Hublot from earlier this year. Additionally, H. Moser & Cie made a similar model a few years back, and Rebellion recently produced the 540 Magnum Tourbillion in sapphire. Greubel Forsey even jumped on the bandwagon, so to speak, earlier this year. As far as who did it first, I have read that Alain Silberstein made the first sapphire crystal case equipped timepiece, although I could not find anything confirming that. Rebellion 540 Magnum Tourbillon Today, Bell & Ross has announced the BR-X1 Tourbillon Chronograph Sapphire, their first sapphire crystal cased timepiece, and it features a tourbillon no less. (Ref. BRX1-CHTB-SAPHIR) Much like skeleton watches, tourbillons, and

Earlier this year Bell & Ross launched a limited edition version of their BR-X1 timepiece called the Hyperstellar. The BR-X1 line is inspired by aviation, and the “X1” designation is in reference to famous test pilot Chuck Yeager, who was the first to break the speed of sound, reaching Mach 1 in a Bell X-1 experimental rocket plane. The Hyperstellar takes the aviation theme of the BR-X1 collection a step further, by marketing it as “An Innovative Chronograph Designed to Conquer Space.” However, the watch has not been in space and is not designed for real astronauts. Although, features such as the large “rocket pushers” would allow for an astronaut to activate the chronograph, even with gloves on. And the large 45 mm diameter square case, with a highly legible circular dial consisting of prominent luminescent hour, minute, and second

Bell & Ross designed a unique timepiece for Only Watch witha its signature 46 mm case crafted from a unique bronze alloy. The alloy, which consists of (92%) copper and (8%) tin, has a micro-blasted finish and will gain a beautiful vintage patina over time. In addition, at the top of the dial sits a skull in hand-engraved solid gold. At the bottom of the dial is a flying 60-second tourbillon. And on the sides of the dial are power reserve indicator (left) and accuracy indicator (right). Further, the watch is a regulator, meaning all the functions are separated, such a the central minutes display, which is compeletly separate fromt he hour display. Interestingly, all the hands are sword-shaped – “pirate” sword-shaped. The caseback, which has a transparent sapphire crystal, is in grade 5 titanium, which is hypoallergenic, light, and

Bell & Ross recently launched a vintage inspired GMT & Flyback chronograph. Uniquely, the BR 126 Sport Heritage GMT Flyback offers a central minute counter and push button setting of the GMT function. The BR126 is presented in a 43 mm diameter polished steel case with a fixed steel bezel, featuring a black aluminum insert with printed tachymeter scale. The matt black dial features gold colored hour markers, minute track and hands. A register at 9 o’clock displays the 2nd timezone, in 24-hour time (GMT), and is controlled by a partially recessed dedicated pusher at 10 ‘clock. A very convenient way to change the 2nd time zone. At 3 o’clock is the running small seconds display. Both the subsidiary dial have a circular guilloche patten and gold ring, helping to visually set them apart from the main dial. Centrally mounted

Bell & Ross just sent us a preview of their new BR01 Aviation Collection which consists of three models: Airspeed, 97 Climb, Heading Indicator.

Bell & Ross has just introduced a new variation within the Vintage BR126 Sport collection. The Vintage BR 126 Sport chronograph, with its distinctive 2 register layout, is presented in a vintage inspired 41 mm diameter stainless steel case with a fixed black bezel the displays 60-minute graduations. It is powered by an ETA 2894 self-winding mechanical movement. Functions include hours, minutes, seconds, date and chronograph (60 second and 30 minute counters). Black dial with luminous coated numerals, indexes and hands. Convex anti-reflective sapphire crystal.

Bell & Ross recently introduced two new professional watch models, within their Instrument collection, the BR 01-96 and BR 01-97 Commando Limited Editions. Specially designed for the elite fighting commando forces, each watch features a stealth grey color scheme and reflects no light.