While it’s quite unlikely mere mortals like you and me will ever have the opportunity to reach out and touch the edge of space, or race through the clouds piloting a $150 million aircraft at Mach 1.6, we can still harness a little of that adventurous spirit for ourselves. Because by donning a watch from Bell & Ross’ BR 03 collection you’re joining an elite club, one that includes extraordinary aviators and explorers whose lives depend upon their timepiece’s reliability from one second to the next. And with an exciting new collection being added to the BR 03 range, there’s never been a better time to upgrade your wristwear.
Since 2006, the BR 03 has been a cornerstone of the Bell & Ross brand, serving up that undeniably iconic “rounded square, four-screw” design, which fittingly draws direct inspiration from the instruments found within an aircraft’s cockpit. Now, with this latest collection, the Maison has delivered refined dimensions, new features, and a selection of stunning finishes, all while maintaining its notoriously high standard for legibility, functionality, precision, and reliability.
Another Dimension
The BR 03 has famously sported a 42 mm case since it first launched in 2006, but with Bell & Ross’ latest take on its iconic watch, the time has come to mix things up. As enthusiasts will be aware, a single millimetre can make a world of difference when it comes to watches, and the decision to increase or reduce a case’s size is not made lightly. As such, the new BR 03 timepieces’ introduction of a 41 mm case is a very big deal indeed.
Paired with this smaller but no less robust casing are new lugs, which have now changed from 4.5 mm to 4 mm, and a brilliant new automatic movement—the BR-CAL.302—which boasts an impressive 54-hour extended power reserve. The finishing touch for this new aesthetic is the new BR 03’s narrower strap, which comes in rubber, calfskin, and synthetic fabric options, but more on that in a moment.
This new scale is transformative for the feel of the BR 03. It’s still an impeccably appointed piece of military-inspired wristwear, but it feels rejuvenated with a thoroughly modern edge. With that comes a heightened versatility that enables the wearer to dress it up in ways that larger watches can be less accommodating of.
Steel or Ceramic
The stunning new additions to the BR 03 range consist of four with cases crafted from satin-polished steel and four using microblasted black ceramic. With a broad range of dial and hand colours, it’s safe to say there’s a watch within the range that’s sure to suit everyone’s particular tastes. So with that out of the way, let’s dive headfirst into each of the new references being added to the range.
Black Steel
Bell & Ross’ Black Steel model features a handsome black dial with white transfer numerals and indices coated in Super-LumiNova. The hands are also coated in white Super-LumiNova, while the black rubber and ultra-resilient black synthetic fabric straps complete the picture.
Golden Heritage
With its stunning brown sunray dial, the Golden Heritage BR 03 model is a sure-fire eye-catcher. With gilt appliqué numerals and indices, along with metal skeletonised Super-LumiNova-filled hour and minute hands, it offers a perfect balance of legibility and elegance. The Golden Heritage BR 03 is accompanied by both a brown calfskin and a tough-as-nails black synthetic canvas fabric strap.
Copper
This particular reference’s gilt copper dial is offset with embossed numerals and indices filled with semi-matte black varnish. Metal skeletonised Super-LumiNova-filled hour and minute hands ensure optimum legibility, while the brown calfskin and black synthetic canvas fabric straps round out the package.
Blue Steel
No, this is not a tribute to Ben Stiller’s Zoolander. It’s just an incredibly stylish piece of wristwear. The Blue Steel packs a blue sunray dial, white transfer numerals and indices coated in Super-LumiNova and metal skeletonised Super-LumiNova-filled hour and minute hands. Choose between the blue calfskin and black synthetic canvas fabric straps provided.
Phantom
Perfect for those who can’t get enough of the darkest shade, the Phantom model features a black dial, numerals and indices, with legibility assured via the use of moulded luminescent material/Bilight, while the hands are coated in Super-LumiNova. The black aesthetic continues with the rubber and ultra-resilient synthetic fabric straps.
Black Matte
Arguably the most perfect embodiment of the BR 03 aesthetic, this model features a black dial, white transfer numerals and indices coated in Super-LumiNova, along with hands also coated in white Super-LumiNova. Black rubber and synthetic fabric straps add the finishing touch.
Heritage
With its black dial and beige transfer numerals and indices, the Heritage BR 03 is a striking take on this iconic design. Super-LumiNova coating is used across the numerals, indices, and hands, while brown calfskin and black synthetic canvas fabric straps provide additional versatility.
Military Ceramic
Last but not least, the Military Ceramic BR 03 is our pick of the new collection. With its khaki dial acting as a strong stage for numerals and indices made from moulded luminescent material/Bilight, it’s a refined, modern nod to the BR 03’s military heritage (hence the name). The watch’s hands are coated with photo-luminescent material, and the khaki rubber and ultra-resilient black synthetic fabric straps finish off this outstanding timepiece.
Authentic & Timeless
Perfectly balancing functionality and simplicity, while staying true to the authenticity of the BR 03’s aviation heritage, this new 41 mm collection deftly reimagines Bell & Ross’ iconic timepiece. No matter which reference catches your eye, you’re guaranteed a watch that will never go out of style, looking every bit as at home in the boardroom or at the beach as it does adorning the wrist of a pilot climbing into an aircraft cockpit.
Discover the full BR 03 range via the link below.
