Bell & Ross has long been synonymous with creating high-performance timepieces designed to conquer both the skies and the seas. With the new BR 03 DIVER Full Lum, the brand has once again demonstrated its prowess in crafting watches that seamlessly blend aesthetic brilliance with uncompromising functionality. As part of the 2024 collection, the BR 03 DIVER Full Lum is a beacon of innovation, pushing the boundaries of what a diver’s watch can achieve.
Black ceramic
The BR 03 DIVER Full Lum’s case is a nice example of Bell & Ross’ engineering and design. Measuring a robust 42 mm in diameter, the case is constructed from matte black ceramic, a material chosen for its exceptional durability and scratch resistance. The square case, a signature of Bell & Ross, reinforces the brand’s commitment to combining professional functionality with avant-garde design. The unidirectional rotating bezel, also crafted from black ceramic, features a 60-minute scale essential for dive time calculations. With its high resistance and clear markings, this bezel is both a practical tool and a striking design element.
One of the standout features of the case is its water resistance, rated at 300 meters. This capability ensures that the watch is more than equipped to handle the pressures of deep-sea diving. Integrating a sapphire crystal with an anti-reflective coating further enhances the durability and readability of the watch, protecting the dial from the rigours of underwater adventures. Of course, the screw-in crown with Bell & Ross is protected by the familiar crown guard – present on all the brand’s divers, regardless of case material.
Light me up
The dial of the BR 03 DIVER Full Lum is where Bell & Ross truly showcases its mastery of luminescence. Covered entirely in pale blue Super-LumiNova®, the dial emits a mesmerizing blue glow that ensures optimal readability in the darkest depths of the ocean. The indices and the arrow-shaped, skeletonized hour and minute hands are coated in white Super-LumiNova®, which emits a contrasting green glow. This bi-colour luminescence not only enhances legibility but also adds a low-light visually striking element to the watch’s design.
The attention to detail is evident in the execution of the dial. The “baignoire-style” applique indices, filled with Super-LumiNova®, offer a modern touch while maintaining a clear and functional layout. This focus on legibility, even in extreme conditions, underscores the Bell & Ross BR 03 DIVER Full Lum’s identity as a true diver’s tool. A discrete round aperture between 4 and 5 o’clock reveals the date indication that uses the dial’s colour scheme.
Robustness is key
At the heart of the BR 03 DIVER Full Lum beats the Calibre BR-CAL.302-1 automatic mechanical movement. Known for its reliability and precision, this movement operates at a frequency of 28,800 alternations per hour (4 Hz) and offers enough power reserve of 54 hours. The movement’s automatic winding mechanism ensures that the watch remains powered through the natural motion of the wearer’s wrist, a crucial feature for those who rely on their timepiece during extended periods underwater.
The Calibre BR-CAL.302-1 is an example of Bell & Ross‘s commitment to technical excellence. Its robust construction and precise timekeeping capabilities make it an ideal choice for a professional diver’s watch. Moreover, the inclusion of a date function adds a practical element to the movement, catering to the everyday needs of the wearer.
Conclusion
In the BR 03 DIVER Full Lum, Bell & Ross has created a watch that is as functional as it is visually captivating. The brand’s craftsmanship and innovative use of materials result in a timepiece that excels in both form and function. The luminescent dial is not only a technological marvel but also a defining aesthetic feature that sets the BR 03 DIVER Full Lum apart from its peers.
The watch’s impressive water resistance, coupled with its durable ceramic case and reliable movement, ensures that it meets the stringent demands of professional diving. Yet, it is the attention to detail and the seamless integration of advanced luminescence that truly elevate the BR 03 DIVER Full Lum. It stands as a testament to Bell & Ross’s dedication to pushing the boundaries of watchmaking, providing both professional divers and watch enthusiasts with a timepiece that is as reliable in the depths of the ocean as it is stunning on the wrist.
In essence, the BR 03 DIVER Full Lum is more than just a watch; it is a symbol of Bell & Ross’s relentless pursuit of perfection and innovation in the realm of high-performance timepieces. Whether navigating the abyssal depths or making a bold statement on land, this watch delivers unparalleled performance and undeniable style, embodying the spirit of exploration and excellence that defines Bell & Ross.
Instruments for professionals (excerpt from the press release)
With the new BR 03 DIVER Full Lum, the French brand releases an entire collection of updated drivers, designed to satisfy not only the need for professional tool watches but also the desire for individual aesthetics.
Designing instrument watches, and reinterpreting the dials, counters, and control panels of an aircraft cockpit with our operational rigour is the hallmark of Bell & Ross. The intrinsic link between the independent watch manufacturer and the world of aeronautics is well established. Effective high performance is a mainstay of the aviation industry.
Particularly in relation to the many technical and physical constraints connected with flying at altitude. The exploration of the ocean floor is no less challenging. In both cases, it is the aim of Bell & Ross to support professionals in their environments, to the best of their ability. “For 30 years now, our company has been equipping outstanding pilots and divers, whose tasks and lives depend on their instruments and machines. Bell & Ross is, by definition, the supplier of explorers and elite units, for whom each watch is designed to comply with precise product specifications, according to the environment in which it is intended to be used,” explains Carlos Rosillo, President and co-founder of Bell & Ross. These qualities also attract demanding city dwellers, in search of a timepiece for everyday use, with exemplary style and reliable performance.
BR 03 Diver Steel: the benchmark
Its design and tried and tested reliability make the Bell & Ross BR 03 Diver Steel indispensable to divers. Below the surface of the sea, in a world that is inhospitable to human beings, a watch is a tool for survival. Unless time control is perfect, both descending and re-ascending are particularly dangerous. The diver must have absolute confidence in his watch. The BR 03 Diver Steel collection, with its 42 x 42 mm case in polished, satin-finished steel, is fully compliant. It is available in three options: black, white, and blue. For each, the unidirectional swing bezel with a graduated 60-minute scale is now enhanced by a ceramic insert in a colour matching the dial. In another noteworthy upgrade, the hands and the indices have been redesigned for greater readability, and the ultra-resistant rubber or synthetic canvas watch strap has been redesigned for a discreet appearance and comfort.
BR 03 Black Matte: stealth power
The matt black ceramics immediately set the tone, evoking the technical features and clean lines of stealth vessels or explorers’ equipment. In 2019 Bell & Ross regularly offered special editions in this compelling material. This year, the BR 03 Diver Black Matte has been discreetly redesigned to provide significant improvements in readability and power.
The two-part construction of the bezel is a distinctive feature of the BR 03 Diver Black Matte. The bezel itself and its insert are both ceramics, the insert benefits from the same improvements to resistance and readability as the models in steel. Enthusiasts will also immediately notice the enlarged type on the graduated scale. Like the new BR 03 Diver in steel, the new BR 03 Diver Black Matte benefits from the improved design of the hands, the enlarged indices, and the new rubber strap.
All the instrument watches in the Bell & Ross BR 03 series are designed as quality tools for professional divers. “Providing professionals with the quality of tools needed for their tasks, and pushing boundaries to their furthest extent has always been part of our brand’s DNA,” affirms Carlos Rosillo, President and co-founder of Bell & Ross. To respond to the legitimate expectations of regulars in the aquatic environment, the new BR 03 DIVER watches comply with the international ISO 6425 standard, which states, “a watch must stand submersion in water to a depth of at least 100 meters and must have a time monitoring system.” Underwater, watch markings must remain visible from 25 cm in the dark. As expected, the new BR 03 Diver Blue Steel and White Steel meet all the criteria needed to be a professional dive watch.
Bell & Ross BR 03 DIVER Full Lum Technical Specification
Ref. BR03A-D-LM-CE/SRB – 5,400 €
Functions:
- Hours, minutes, seconds and date.
Movement:
- Calibre BR-CAL.302-1. Automatic mechanical. 54-hour
- power reserve.
Case:
- 42 mm wide. Matt black ceramic.
- Unidirectional rotating bezel with 60-minute scale in black ceramic.
- Minute track up to 15 minutes.
- Crystal: Sapphire with anti-reflective coating.
- Water-resistance: 300 metres.
Dial:
- Coated in pale blue Super-LumiNova® (blue glow).
- “Baignoirestyle” applique index filled with white Super-LumiNova® (green glow).
- Skeletonised hour and minute hands filled with white Super-LumiNova® (green glow).
- Arrow-shaped hour hands.
Strap:
- Woven black rubber and ultra-resilient black synthetic fabric.
- Buckle: Pin. Steel with black PVD (Physical Vapour Deposition) finish.
