I must confess that my fascination with the interplay of light and metal has always guided my appreciation for horology. For me, a timepiece is not just an instrument for telling time but an object of art that reflects me and the world around it. Today I will present you the Bell & Ross BR-05 Grey Mirror Steel, a watch that takes this concept quite literally. It offers a fresh perspective on the brand’s exploration of luminosity and design. This new reference is a limited edition of 250 pieces available exclusively in boutiques, and it immediately struck me as a sophisticated jewel-watch that challenges the traditional definition of a tool watch.
The BR 05 line is the urban chapter in the Bell & Ross story, conceived as the missing link between the brand’s professional instrument pieces and a contemporary, city-focused sports watch. It was launched in 2019 as a new pillar collection, taking the iconic “circle within a square” cockpit aesthetic and softening it into a more architectural, lifestyle-oriented object with an integrated bracelet. Bell & Ross also experimented with materials, dial executions and formats to broaden the appeal of the BR 05. Skeleton versions in various colours, full gold references and boutique or limited editions gave the line a more expressive, almost jewel-like side, while a later 36 mm version introduced in the mid-2020s made the design accessible to slimmer wrists without compromising the core geometry.
A Unique Dial
The face of this timepiece is where the true magic happens. The dial base, indices, and flange appear to be sculpted from a single block of pure metal, creating a striking monochrome aesthetic. Bell & Ross has utilised a mirror-polished rhodium-plated brass dial that reflects everything in its vicinity. The indices are rhodium-plated appliques which are also mirror-polished, matching the hands perfectly.
I find the absence of a date window to be a masterstroke here. By omitting this function, the brand has preserved the absolute purity of the reflective surface. The result is a dial that feels abstract yet remains perfectly readable. The light plays across the surfaces in a way that transforms the entire face into a seamless, liquid-like expanse. It is a bold stylistic exercise that prioritises visual impact and architectural simplicity. The world is reflected in a unique way, amplified by the top crystal.
A Movement Adapted for Purity
Powering this reflective sculpture is the calibre BR-CAL.321-1. This is an automatic mechanical movement that has been specifically modified for this reference to exclude the date mechanism, ensuring the integrity of the dial design remains compromised. The movement provides a power reserve of 54 hours, which I find perfectly adequate for daily wear.
Through the sapphire crystal case-back, you can observe the 360-degree oscillating weight. The mechanics here are robust and reliable, providing the precision one expects from a modern instrument. While the focus of this watch is undoubtedly its exterior finish, the engine within is a solid performer that supports the functions of hours, minutes, and seconds with unwavering accuracy.
A Case of Architectural Brilliance
The case measures 40 millimetres in width and sits on the wrist with a slender profile of 10.5 millimetres. It is crafted from satin-finished and polished steel, and the alternating finishes highlight the complex geometry of the signature circle-within-a-square design. The mirror polishing on specific facets amplifies the theme of the watch, creating a heavy yet elegant presence.
The construction includes a screw-down crown with a crown guard, ensuring water resistance to 100 metres. This makes it a capable companion for urban adventures or even surface swimming. You have the choice of a black rubber strap for a sportier look or a polished and satin-finished steel bracelet that completes the all-metal aesthetic. The folding buckle is also finished in satin and polished steel, maintaining the coherent design language throughout the timepiece.
Through the Looking Glass
The Bell & Ross BR 05 Grey Mirror Steel is a fascinating study in reflection and material. It reminds me of the grandeur of Venetian mirrors or the Hall of Mirrors at Versailles, where the capture of light defines the volume of the space. This watch does not absorb light but rather gives it back to the observer. It is a monobloc sculpture that transcends its function to become a symbol of style and resilience. For those of you who seek a timepiece that balances the robustness of steel with the refinement of a jewel, this limited edition offers a captivating brilliance that is impossible to ignore.
Bell & Ross BR-05 Grey Mirror Steel Technical Specification
Ref. BR05A-MI-ST/SST – 5 900€, Limited edition of 250 pieces. Available exclusively from Bell & Ross Boutiques and e-Boutiques.
Functions
- central hours, minutes and seconds.
Movement
- Calibre BR-CAL.321-1
- Automatic mechanical
- Modified no-date version
- Approximately 54-hour power reserve
Case
- Diameter: 40 mm wide
- Thickness 10.5 mm
- Stainless steel with alternating satin-finished and polished surfaces
- Screw-down crown with crown guard
- Sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating
- Sapphire case-back
- Water resistance 100 metres.
Dial
- Rhodium-plated brass dial, mirror polished
- Polished rhodium-plated applique indices
- Rhodium-plated hands
Strap/Bracelet
- Integrated polished and satin-finished steel bracelet with folding buckle in satin-finished and polished steel
- Or black rubber strap with polished-satin steel folding buckle.
