Launched in 1992 by French designers Bruno Belamich and Carlos A. Rosillo the Swiss brands unapologetic, oversize designs have become something of a wrist boosting classic. Created as a highly efficient watch capable of responding to the needs of the most demanding users, including NATO, the Air Force and the bomb disposal units of the French Civil security forces, Bell & Ross have quickly become the popular choice for high quality functional watches.
In recent years, several watch making brands have associated their image with a sport or other fashionable activity – cars, golf, sailing, aviation – anything goes. Without any seemingly obvious legitimacy beyond a commercial interest, the connection establishes the image that the brands and their respective partners wish to project. Bell & Ross however offer their customers a true moral contract. Based on aeronautical dials the manufacturers have sought to reproduce as faithfully as possible a cockpit timepiece at the scale of a mans wrist.
The original Bell & Ross BR-01 collection not only offers its purchasers the opportunity to acquire a real on board instrument but the chance to "get into the skin of a fighter pilot on a mission" whenever they tell the time. Available in rubber, leather or fabric the BR-01 Instrument range is multi-tasking as each model can be used as a wrist, pocket watch or desk top clock. In terms of marketing, Bell & Ross couldn’t be better, no watch brand has ever gone further with and for its customers.
The original Bell & Ross BR-01 collection not only offers its purchasers the opportunity to acquire a real on board instrument but the chance to "get into the skin of a fighter pilot on a mission" whenever they tell the time. Available in rubber, leather or fabric the BR-01 Instrument range is multi-tasking as each model can be used as a wrist, pocket watch or desk top clock. In terms of marketing, Bell & Ross couldn’t be better, no watch brand has ever gone further with and for its customers.
Based on the fighter plane cockpits from the 1940’s the BR-01 92 Blue Automatic watch has an overtly military appearance for its civilian vocation. The machismo watch features extra large 46 mm blackened steel case, black dial and bright blue luminescent coated hands and indexes for perfect legibility in all conditions.
Water resistant to the depths of 100 metres, the very functional scratch proof BR-01 94 in carbon finished stainless steal features a three counter automatic chronograph movement making it popular with the manufacturers sporting clientele including Jenson Button and his F1 team mates.
The ultimate boy toy of the BR-01 series has to be the Tourbillon with its fighter jet dial like design and photo luminescent coating for night reading. With aeronautical instrumentation the Tourbillon is the most noble of watch complications making it the favoured timepiece for design advocates such as American architect Peter Marino.
Each model within this tough-luxe collection is a limited edition with only 500 pieces made for each design. The BR-01 remains loyal to its original concept based on four key principals: readability, performance, resistance and precision making it the premier watch for professionals who demand optimal reliability and un-compromised style.
Words: Sanyika Odieté
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