This Parisian brand has launched an urban sports watch suitable for global travelers.
Bell & Ross is famous for the design aesthetics of “Square Middle Circle” pioneered by the BR 01 and BR 03 series. Although the brand also produces fully round watches, the square case is exemplary in creating an immediately recognizable watch series. In 2019, the brand launched the BR 05 series, the square case style is more modern and softer, and the “luxury sports watch” has a clear inspiration. Prior to this, the series included various configurations of time and date and chronograph models. Today, Bell & Ross launched the third BR 05 series, the new Bell & Ross BR 05 GMT.
background
If you look at the history of Bell & Ross, it makes sense to introduce GMT functionality into BR 05. For a long time, the BR 03 and BR V2 series have repeatedly added the ability to set the watch to the second time zone. Some watches even allow you to track three different time zones by adding a rotatable bezel. The functions of GMT watches are explained in detail here, taking different Bell & Ross GMT watches as examples.
With the launch of BR 05 in 2019, Bell & Ross has entered the very popular luxury sports watch with integrated bracelet. The concept of this luxury sports watch is simple, but very attractive because it combines luxurious charm with a strong case and an integrated bracelet or strap. The style is defined by obvious heavyweights; since the early 1970s, Audemars Piguet Royal Oak, Patek Philippe Nautilus and Vacheron Constantin Overseas. In the past few years, more and more brands have entered the highly competitive market and introduced interesting appearances of luxury sports watches.
Initially, Bell & Ross BR 05 presented time and date models in a combination of multiple colors and materials. What stands out is that it still has a very familiar square case design concept, with a raised bezel with screws on all four corners, and a round dial opening. However, compared to BR 01 and BR 03, BR 05 provides a softer silhouette, making it more elegant and refined in the process. You can choose a gray, black or blue dial and a stainless steel, two-tone or full gold case. Attached to the case is a matching bracelet or rubber strap. Bell & Ross also includes a model with a hollow dial, first in gray and then in blue.
Following closely behind is the Bell & Ross BR 05 Chrono, a complication that coincides with the history of Bell & Ross military and aviation-inspired timepieces. The BR 05 Chrono was launched about a year ago, giving the watch more complexity and at the same time a more masculine temperament, although it is faithful to the original design of the BR 05. Its size has increased from 40 mm to 42 mm, thus making the watch more masculine. The dual-register display of the chronograph is very consistent with Bell & Ross’s consistent style. It has a black or blue dial and is also equipped with a rubber strap or a steel bracelet.
BELL & ROSS BR 05 GMT
Now, about two years after BR 05 debuted, Bell & Ross brought the third member of the family; BR 05 GMT. Again, referring to the brand’s military and aviation background, the Greenwich Mean Time indicator is very meaningful for Bell & Ross, this BR 03-93 GMT perfectly demonstrates this. In terms of size, landing between the time and date and the chronograph, the round square steel case is 41 mm wide and 11.1 mm high, which is relatively thin for such a watch. Like other BR 05 models, the case is mostly satin-finished, the edges on the case and bezel are polished, and the screws are polished. The sapphire crystal glass covers the front and back of the case and retains the 100m water resistance of other models.
In the typical Bell & Ross style, the dial is kept as clear as possible. The black dial has a sun pattern brushed finish, and the black and silver slanted outer flange has a 24-hour scale and a 00/24-hour triangle indicator. The round rod-shaped hand, filled with Super LumiNova, is used to indicate the hours and minutes, and is equipped with a polished central seconds hand. The GMT pointer is also mounted in the center, with a polished handle, an arrow-shaped tip with a red outline, and a Super-LumiNova insert. The hours are indicated by the applied time scale and mixed with the 6, 9 and 12 o’clock digits. On the right side of the dial is a framed date window, displaying a date disc with white letters on a black background.
If you turn the watch over, you will see the BR-CAL.325 movement based on Sellita SW-330 on the sapphire crystal back cover. This automatic movement displays the central time, date, and of course a second time zone. The GMT hands can be set independently through the crown, in one-hour increments, and can be set in both directions. The movement operates at a frequency of 28,800vph (4Hz) and provides a 42-hour power reserve. The top of the movement is equipped with the same hollow-style rotor as its siblings.
Like all BR 05 models, the BR 05 GMT comes with a grooved black rubber strap or an integrated steel bracelet. Both are connected to a large polished center link that falls off the inclined lug side of the case.
Technical Specifications-BELL & ROSS BR 05 GMT
Case: 41mm wide x 11.1mm high-round square steel case with integrated lugs-round square bezel with iconic mounting screws-brushed surface, polished edges-sapphire crystal with straps on both sides With AR coating-screw-in crown with crown guard-100m water resistance
Dial: Black dial with sungrain brushed finish – black and silver two-tone outer ring with 24-hour scale – three-dimensional numerals and hour markers coated with Super LumiNova – hour and minute hands with Super LumiNova inlays – polished second hand – Greenwich Standard time with arrow tip, red outline and Super LumiNova insert-framed date window at 3 o’clock
Movement: BR-CAL.325, Sellita SW-330 base-automatic winding-28,800vph frequency (4Hz)-42 hours power reserve-25 jewels-central hour, minute, second, GMT, date-GMT hand passing watch Crown independent setting
Strap: Black rubber strap with vertical groove and folding clasp
Or satin polished one-piece steel strap with triple folding clasp
Reference: BR05G-BL-ST/SRB rubber strap
BR05G-BL-ST/SST steel strap