Evocative watches from Bell & Ross

Bell & Ross has always been a pioneer in the world of watchmaking; its new offerings that are inspired by its own racing aircraft and F1 race cars would definitely live up to the expectations of brand aficionados …

Racing Bird

The Bell & Ross atelier has unveiled two watches inspired by the BR-Bird ­– the BR V1-92 Racing Bird and the BR V2-94 Racing Bird. These timepieces share their aesthetic choices with the racing aircraft designed by the Bell & Ross studio, the BR-Bird. After designing racing cars inspired by aeronautical shapes, Bell & Ross has now designed a plane of its own. It should come as no surprise that it is a high-speed plane capable of competing in the Reno Air Races in record-breaking style.

This identity of speed and performance is evident in the design of the three-hand and chronograph Racing Bird watches, particularly the colour code. The dial is white, like the fuselage of the plane. The numerals, bezel, chronograph counter and strap are blue, like the empennage and decorative elements tracing the aerodynamic lines of the BR-Bird. The central second hand, details on the dial and lining of the leather strap are orange, like the colour highlighting the most important information on the flight instruments. The timer is grey, reminiscent of the chequered flag used in speed competitions, like the Bell & Ross logo on the wings and flanks of the aircraft.

On the dial, the numerals use the same typography as the on-board counters, and the date window shows three numerals – a direct reference to flight instrumentation. The final touch is the silhouette of the aircraft on the case back and at the base of the second hand (on the three-hand version) and the second timer (on the chronograph version). With a 38.5 mm steel case for the BRV1-92 and a 41 mm for the BRV2-94, both versions are powered by a self-winding mechanical movement.

With their graphic design and style, these limited edition – of 999 pieces  each – BRV1 and BRV2 Racing Bird watches are starting a new chapter in a saga that weaves together Bell & Ross and aviation history, and passion.

R.S.18 Chronographs

To mark its third year of partnership with Renault Sport Formula One Team, Bell & Ross is unveiling three new R.S.18 chronographs inspired by the new Renault single-seat race car. This series of three high-tech mechanical chronographs, unveiled at Baselworld 2018, revisit one of the key components of a Formula 1 car: the chassis. Forming the structure of the car, the chassis supports all its elements, from the engine to the bodywork. The case is to the watch what the chassis is to the car, and all three R.S.18 chronographs have been designed with a focus on high performance.

BR 03-94 R.S.18

A limited edition of 999 pieces, featuring a perforated, micro-blasted titanium case, the BR03-94 R.S.18 chronograph is a combination of titanium and carbon that ensures the piece is lightweight and hardwearing, robust and high performance. The gear train of the movement can be seen through the auxiliary counters for the chronograph function. Driven by a self-winding Swiss mechanical calibre, the BR03-94 R.S.18 also features a tachymeter scale on its flange. For the first time on a BR03 model, the chronograph pushers use a rocker design in a nod to the gear change paddles on Formula 1 cars.

BR-X1 R.S.18

The BR-X1 R.S.18 is the ultimate high-tech skeletonised chronograph in a limited edition of 250 pieces. The self-winding Swiss mechanical movement is skeletonised to lend it a unique and resolutely high-tech style. Its rocker pushers equipped with a yellow rubber insert underlines this. Its 30-minute counter is highlighted with hints of red. In the same spirit, the typography of the “racing” style numerals and the yellow tachymeter scale sitting on the flange evocative of the world of car racing. To ensure optimum ergonomics when using the chronometer functions, a yellow rubber thumb grip has been integrated into the case at 9 o’clock. To ensure optimum legibility, the slender hands and applique indexes have been filled with Superluminova.

BR-X1 Tourbillon R.S.18

The masterpiece of this series, the BR-X1 Tourbillon Chronograph R.S.18 is equipped with a highly complicated movement that combines the watchmaking pedigree of the flying tourbillon with the sporty sophistication of a single-pusher chronograph, and is a limited edition of 20 pieces. The BR-X1 Tourbillon Chronograph is equipped with a “flying” tourbillon, which means that its cage is secured to an axis, giving the impression that it is floating in space – a hallmark of high performance. In yellow and red, the chronograph functions are immediately identifiable, enhanced by the addition of Superluminova on the hands and indexes. Thanks to its skeletonised dial, the BR-X1 Tourbillon Chronograph R.S.18 showcases the futuristic gear train of its high-tech motor. To ensure optimum ergonomics when using the functions, a yellow rubber thumb grip has been integrated into the case at 9 o’clock.