The BR‑X5 collection represents a new chapter in the Bell & Ross history, a watch that follows on from the BR 05 and the BR 03, encapsulating a brand-new conception. With its avant-garde and daring design, attractive in its functionality, the BR‑X5 symbolises the developments made by the brand to attract connoisseurs and lovers of fine watchmaking.
From the cockpit to the wrist
Perpetuating the aeronautical heritage of Bell & Ross and the visual signature of the “round within the square”, the BR‑X5 adds a new chapter to the history of the BR 05 collection.
“The BR‑X5 originates from the BR 05, which originates from the BR 01, which originates from the cockpit”, explains the company. This aeronautical heritage, a direct link between the past and the present, translates into the letter X, a symbol of secrecy, experimentation and the future. With the BR‑X5, this avant-garde piece makes its entry into the permanent collection.
BR‑X5
Through its design and technical characteristics, the BR‑X5, powered by a manufactured movement, is positioned as a superlative BR 05 and writes a new chapter in the history of Bell & Ross.
Completing the range on a high note, its design and aesthetics reflect a desire to innovate, to dare and to stand out.
The combination of expertise
The development of its mechanism in an exclusive configuration is the result of the union of skills, a value dear to the House of Bell & Ross. It gives the “&” symbol a new meaning: design & manufacture movement.
With this new collection, the watchmaker is once again turning its attention to fine watchmaking enthusiasts.
The nobility of a manufacture movement
“While daring was the guiding principle throughout the creative stages, the notion of risk was banished from our vocabulary when it came to reliability and precision”, explains Bruno Belamich, Bell & Ross Creative Director.
The House adds a horological dimension to the BR 05 collection by equipping its new Bell & Ross BR‑X5 with a manufacture movement designed by the Swiss specialist Kenissi. “With the BR‑X5, we wanted to push back the technical and aesthetic limits”, assures Bruno Belamich.
Bell & Ross Calibre BR-CAL.323
In compliance with the specifications defined by Bell & Ross, several years of development were necessary to ensure the design, development and fine-tuning of the manufacture movement.
Equipped with a personalised oscillating weight and a variable-inertia balance wheel, the BR-CAL.323 calibre beating at a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour (4 Hz) has a power reserve of approximately 70 hours. This so-called “weekend proof” capacity allows you to put your watch down on Friday evening and pick it up on Monday morning without having to wind it up.
Another advantage of this manufacture movement lies in its rapid date correction device, which allows adjustment at any time, without altering the operation of the watch.
Focus on accuracy and reliability
A large sapphire crystal caseback allows you to contemplate the operation of this exceptional movement and in particular that of its personalised weight with a design inspired by a sports car rim.
The mechanism is COSC certified, a first for Bell & Ross. The Swiss Official Chronometer Control Body grants it the name chronometer, a guarantee of great precision.
With this new BR-CAL.323 manufacture calibre, the brand values precision and reliability more than ever. Both the movement and the case are guaranteed for 5 years. Something that lovers of beautiful mechanical watches will appreciate.
The audacity of a multi-component case
At Bell & Ross, the Bauhaus principle that function defines design is never far away. In the genesis of the BR‑X5, the quest for performance concerns both the mechanism and the case. Therefore the architecture of the multi-component case favours purity and radicality, lightness and resistance.
Sophisticatication inspired by aeronautics
The 41 mm wide case, made entirely of steel, is built around a watertight container, a kind of central core that protects the manufacture movement. The crown guard is machined from the same block as the container.
The square bezel with its round sapphire crystal on the dial side and the open caseback on the movement side are fixed to the two steel plates that form the top and bottom of the case.
The plates-container-bezel-caseback assembly is kept watertight by 4 screws that pass through the thickness of the case via 4 columns which reinforce the solidity of the construction.
A multi-layer assembly
This multi-layer assembly is discreet from the front but comes into its own when looking at the Bell & Ross BR‑X5 from the side. The hollowed-out architecture of the case middle is obvious, revealing a technical construction that optimises lightness without compromising on resistance.
The different polished, satin-brushed and micro-blasted finishes redraw the lines and surfaces of this watchmaking puzzle. A rubber ring highlights the bezel to enrich and personalise the finish of the case.
The BR-X5 Carbon Orange: the carbon/titanium case
The concept of multi-component construction is pushed further with the inclusion of multi-materials, as explained by Jean‑Paul Suchel, Technical and Production Director at Bell & Ross: “Two carbon fibre plates surrounded by the DLC titanium monobloc container housing the movement and integrating the shoulders of the crown”. This design in five successive elements has made it possible to separate the support and protective elements, which enabled for the design to push the boundaries when it came to materials, colours, and finishing.
Discreet when viewed from the front, this construction reveals itself when turned on its side. We then discover the elaborate architecture of the middle. The entire 41 mm wide case is airtight by four screws. The lightweight materials, like carbon and titanium, emphasise the high-tech aspects and the high degree of comfort for the wearer, which is further enhanced by the orange rubber strap: fitted with a folding clasp in DLC steel, it is attached to two links independent from the case to ensure perfect ergonomics.
The lure of a new feature
The BR‑X5 stands out from the BR 05 by its movement and its functions which are displayed in the dial. The latter features a large-aperture date window positioned at 3 o’clock and a circle-shaped power reserve indicator at 9 o’clock. The latter, divided into three thirds, allows you to control the autonomy of your watch. These features give the BR‑X5 a new face and its visual identity.
An optimised dial
The design of the dial optimises the reading of information. The hours are marked by long applique metal indexes with a rhodium-plated outline, the central part of which is filled with grade X1 Super-LumiNova® for optimal readability both day and night. The flange houses the numerical indications of the minutes.
A BR-X5 in a high-tech version
Like the earlier models in steel, the latest Bell & Ross BR‑X5 Carbon Orange brings together two functions that are particularly useful in everyday life: an oversized vertical date and the power reserve indicator. This double display, which is as legible as it is distinctive, gives the BR 05 family a unique look while making it instantly recognisable when on the wrist.
An integrated bracelet
The integrated steel bracelet is securely fastened to the case to form a perfectly ergonomic unit. The articulation of the attachment links offers remarkable comfort when worn.
Advanced time instruments
With the black marbling of the carbon and the various touches of orange, this new Bell & Ross BR‑X5 imposes its powerful, avant-garde and sporty look, which makes it more than just a watch but also a work of art.
Bell & Ross BR-X5 Technical Specifications
References
- BRX5R-BL-ST/SRB – 6,900 €
- BRX5R-BL-ST/SST – 7,400 €
- BRX5R-IB-ST/SRB – 6,900 €
- BRX5R-IB-ST/SST – 7,400 €
- BRX5R-BO-TC/SRB – 11,900 €
Functions
- Hours, minutes and seconds.
- Date window at 3 o’clock and power reserve indicator at 9 o’clock.
Movement
- BR-CAL.323.
- Manufacture.
- Automatic mechanical.
- Approximate power reserve of 70 hours.
Case
- BR-X5
- 41 mm in width. 12.80 mm thick.
- Satinfinished and polished steel.
- BR-X5 Carbon Orange
- Container in Grade 2 microblasted titanium with DLC (diamond-like carbon) finish.
- Upper and lower inserts in matt carbon fibre.
- Fixed bezel in Grade 2 microblasted titanium with bezel insert in matt carbon fibre.
- Screw-down crown.
- Crown guard.
- Sapphire case-back with oscillating weight.
- Crystal: sapphire with anti-reflective coating.
- Water resistance: 100 metres.
Dial
- Sunray black/ice blue/matt black.
- Applique indices filled with Super-LumiNova®.
- Metal skeletonised Super-LumiNova®-filled hour and minute hands.
- Black flange with 60-minute scale with white marking
Strap & Buckle
- Openworked black/ice blue rubber/orange rubber or satin-finished and polished steel.
- Buckle: folding. Satin-finished and polished steel / Steel with DLC (diamond-like carbon) finish.
