Ultimate combination of performance and elegance, the contrast of gold and steel never fails to seduce lovers of sophisticated timepieces. With its new BR 05 Chrono Grey Steel & Gold, combining ruthenium and rose gold, Bell & Ross presents a watchmaking jewel.
Launched in 2019 and embodying the Maison’s guiding principles of readability, functionality, reliability and precision, the BR 05 collection delivers a distinctly urban style. A combination of round and square shapes, the lines of its case evoke the geometric figures which distinguish the Bell & the Ross brand. The construction of the BR 05 goes beyond the rigor of the square and at the same time transcends the perfection of the circle, thus defining its own shape and unique personality. Assertive in its style and powerful on the wrist, it captures the energy of the city, its rhythms, its richness. BR 05 Chrono: the time measuring instrument for the urban explorers.
A Bi-Material Timepiece
In the 70s, particularly in the United States, watches made from a combination of gold and steel, including their metal bracelets, were very popular. This trend significantly contributed to the enduring popularity of the sport-chic style. For Bell & Ross, the decision to adapt their urban and sporting BR 05 watch to this style was a natural and obvious choice. Indeed, this is not the first time that this line has welcomed a two-material model. Collectors no doubt remember the BR 05 Chrono Edición Limitada model, associated with the world of fine cigars, with its gold and steel case and bracelet, and its Havana-coloured dial, launched in 2022.
Characterised by a strong stylistic identity, Bell & Ross has always wanted to define its own aesthetic. The new BR 05 Grey Steel & Gold chrono perfectly embraces this distinct character by combining materials and colours. The 42mm water-resistant-to-100m case is machined from steel, with satin finishes and polished to amplify the architecture of its lines. The bezel, and the central links of the integrated bracelet, are in 18k rose gold. The graphic effect is enhanced by the grey ruthenium dial with is metallic reflection obtained by galvanization, with a three o’clock counter indicating the chronograph minutes and another at nine o’clock displaying the small seconds, with a window placed between 4 and 5 o’clock displaying the date.
The white hands and indexes, coated with luminescent material, further enhance the contrasts and the play of light, while ensuring perfect legibility of the hour, minute, second, date and chronograph functions. The outlines of the counters and the markings 12 and 6 in the distinctive Bell & Ross typography, affixed to the dial, are all in gold. Another, unmissable detail, the profile of the winding crown and chronograph pushers form a continuous line extending into the case, providing an additional elegant touch. The BR 05 Chrono abandons the superfluous and goes straight to the essential.
The Strength of a Design
The BR 05 Chrono Grey Steel & Gold adopts a very contemporary watchmaking feature: the integration of the steel bracelet into the case. “Case and bracelet are one. This type of design evokes a style of watches that appeared in the 1970s. When transposed into the Bell & Ross aesthetic, it is possible to obtain a result where this is apparent, modern and visually striking”, emphasises Bruno Belamich, Creative Director at Bell & Ross, referring to a watch that is designed to be versatile and easy to read.
The rose-steel gold bracelet merges with the case creating a consistent whole. A black rubber strap can replace it, completely transforming the look of the watch and enhancing its sporting character.
The Flexibility of a Contemporary Chronograph
At the heart of the BR 05 family, the new Grey Steel & Gold is part of the range of chronographs and features the BR-CAL.326 self-winding mechanical movement. A well tried and tested device reworked by Bell & Ross watchmakers, this robust calibre shows great reliability and appreciable efficiency in all circumstances of modern life. Oscillating at 28,800 movements per hour, it offers a power reserve of 60 hours, ensuring stability and precision. Its rotor, visible through the glass caseback, is a finely skeletonised whole disc: a signature of Bell & Ross self-winding movements.
Refined and sophisticated and highly contemporary at the same time, this urban chronograph exudes extraordinary aesthetic appeal.
Discover more Bell & Ross collections with Cortina Watch online, visit us at our boutiques, or contact a sales representative today to learn more.
