Spotlight Focus On: The Bell & Ross BR03

Founded in 1992 by Bruno Belamich (Bell) and Carlos A. Rosillo (Ross) whilst they were still at university, Paris based Bell & Ross manufacture Swiss Made watches inspired by the history of aviation and the cockpit instruments of military aircraft.

Having supplied watches from the “Instruments” collection to the armée de l’Air et de l’Espace (French Air and Space Force), the Patrouille de France (French Acrobatic Patrol) along with various other divisions of the French military there’s no doubting that Bell & Ross make serious tool watches designed for use by professionals. And yet the adherence to four key principles of legibility, functionality, precision and reliability also makes them a great choice for those of us whose day does not involve launching into space, pushing aircraft to their limits, or diffusing bombs underwater.

In production since 2005, the Instruments Collection is based around 5 core models; the BR01, the BR03, the BR03-92 Diver, the BRS and the BR05. Ranging in size from 46-39mm, and with a variety of movements, functions, materials, styles and price, there is something for everyone, with the only possible drawback being so much choice!

At the risk of turning this into a book on Bell & Ross rather than an article, today we’re focusing on the BR03 models within the Instruments collection. At 42mm, these Swiss Made watches hit the sweet spot for most wrist sizes, are available in both ceramic and stainless steel cases, have at least 100m water resistance (300m for the diver) and provide both professionals and watch fans alike with rugged tools for keeping track of time.

To help you choose your next horological instrument, we’ve picked out 5 of our favourite BR03 models, all available now from Montredo.

Let’s check them out:

The Dressy Steel One: BR 03-92 GREY LUM​​

The newest member of the LUM family, the BR0392 GREY LUM achieves optimal legibility thanks to the SuperLumiNova® C3 found on the numerals, indecises and skeletonised hands.

A slightly dressier version of the iconic Bell & Ross Instrument dial layout first found in the BR01, thanks to the beautiful anthracite grey sunray dial overlaid with large decimal numerals and indices that evoke the night-time glow of runway lights. The BR 03-92 GREY LUM looks truly spectacular on both the sunniest day, and the darkest night!

Specification:

• Movement: calibre BR-CAL.302. Automatic mechanical
• Functions: hours, minutes, seconds and date
• Case: 42 mm in width. Satin-polished steel
• Dial: anthracite grey sunray. Skeletonised Hands, Numerals and indices coated in green Super-LumiNova® C3
• Crystal: sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating
• Water-resistance: 100 metres
• Straps: grey-green calfskin and ultra-resilient black synthetic fabric
• Buckle: pin. Satin-polished steel

Ref: BR0392-GC3-ST/SCA

RRP: €3,400

The Ceramic Military One: BR 03-92 NIGHTLUM

If you’re looking for a simple yet spectacular military-styled Bell & Ross, the BR0392 NIGHTLUM is the one for you. Its matte black ceramic case is perfectly complimented by a matte black dial, and lashings of bright green SuperLumiNova® C3 on the numerals, indices and hands.

Fitted with a grey-green calfskin and ultra-resilient black synthetic fabric strap, the BR 03-92 NIGHTLUM looks great whether you wear it with a flight suit or something a little more casual.

Specification:

• Movement: calibre BR-CAL.302. Automatic mechanical
• Functions: hours, minutes, seconds and date
• Case: 42 mm in diameter. Matt black ceramic
• Dial: matt black. Hands, numerals and indices coated in Super-LumiNova® C3
• Crystal: sapphire with anti-reflective coating
• Water-resistance: 100 metres
• Straps: Grey-green calfskin and ultra-resilient black synthetic fabric
• Buckle: pin buckle. Black PVD

Ref: BR0392-BL3-CE/SCA

RRP: €3,800

The Motorsport Chronograph: BR 03-94 R.S.20

Exploring the crossover between horology and motorsport, the Bell & Ross B3 03-94 R.S.20 takes inspiration from Renault’s 2020 F1® car and spectacular R.S.2027 concept car to create a futuristic chronograph for the driver of today.

Limited to just 999 pieces, this 42mm matt black ceramic twin register chronograph is equipped with an anti-reflective coated sapphire crystal, and fitted to a comfortable and sporty perforated black leather and synthetic fabric strap. Gentlemen, start your engines!

Specification:

• Movement: calibre BR-CAL.301. Automatic mechanical
• Functions: hours, minutes, small seconds at 3 o’clock and date. Chronograph: 30-minute counter at 9 o’clock, central chronograph seconds. Tachymeter scale on the flange
• Case: 42 mm in width. Matt black ceramic
• Dial: matt black. Applique Super-LumiNova®-filled numerals. Metal skeletonized Super-LumiNova®-filled hour and minute hands
• Crystal: sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating
• Water-resistance: 100 metres
• Straps: perforated black rubber and ultra-resilient black synthetic fabric
• Buckle: pin. Black microblasted steel

Limited Edition of 999 pieces

Ref: BR0394-RS20/SRB

RRP: €5,990

The Reimagined GMT: BR 03-93 GMT

Reimagined for 2021, the Bell & Ross BR 03-93 GMT Instrument has gone through a full redesign, making it more modern, more functional, and more readable.

With large white SuperLumiNova® numerals and indices laid over a brilliant black sunray dial, and the red-edged GMT hand, the BR 03-93 GMT is fantastically legible both day and night. And thanks to the addition of a bi-directional bezel (along with the quick setting GMT hand), this reimagined Bell & Ross GMT displays the time in up to three locations around the world. A vital tool for those that need to keep in touch across time zones!

Specification:

• Movement: calibre BR-CAL.303. Automatic mechanical
• Functions: hours, minutes, central seconds, second 24-hour time zone and date. Quick setting of the GMT hand, independently of the hour hand
• Case: 42 mm in width. Satin-finished and polished steel. Bi-directional rotating bezel with 24-hour scale and black and red two-colour anodised aluminium ring
• Dial: black. Indices coated in Super-LumiNova®. Metal skeletonised Super-LumiNova®-filled hour and minute hands and 24-hour hand
• Crystal: sapphire with anti-reflective coating
• Water-resistance: 100 metres
• Straps: black coloured calfskin leather and ultra-resilient black synthetic fabric
• Buckle: pin. Satin-finished and polished steel

Ref: BR0393-BL-ST/SCA

RRP: €3,990

The Big Blue Diver – BR 03-92 DIVER BLUE

Square cases are well known for being more difficult to make truly water-resistant, so whilst the BR 03-92 Diver may share the appearance of other models in the BR 03 family, its case has been heavily modified with a thicker crystal and caseback and rugged crown guards to ensure it keeps the water where it should be – on the outside!

Compliant to the ISO 6425 standard for dive watches, this blue dialled beauty is water-resistant to 300m, equipped with an un-directional steel bezel with aluminium insert, and glows long and strong thanks to Super-LumiNova® inserts in the dial indices and skeletonised hands. Are you ready to dive in?

Specification:

• Movement: calibre BR-CAL.302. Automatic mechanical
• Functions: hours, minutes, seconds and date
• Case: 42 mm diameter. Satin-polished steel. Unidirectional rotating steel bezel with 60-minute scale and blue anodised aluminium insert
• Dial: blue. Appliqué metal indices with Super-LumiNova® inserts. Metal skeletonised Super-LumiNova®-filled hands.
• Crystal: sapphire with anti-reflective coating
• Water-resistance: 300 metres
• Straps: blue rubber and ultra-resilient black synthetic fabric
• Buckle: pin. Satin-polished steel

Ref: BR0392-D-BU-ST/SRB

RRP: €3,800