Urban Dweller
Bell & Ross’ BR05 is an extremely likeable take on a sophisticated timepiece for the city explorer
Although it was shown to selected eyes at Baselworld in March, the all-new BR05 watch has essentially been kept under wraps—in this digital age, it means no posting on social media—until now.
The secrecy is such that when the Only Watch charity auction announced its list of watches last month, Bell & Ross’s contribution, a unique rendition of the BR05, was conspicuously missing.
The full collection was officially unveiled to the media two months ago and the reaction was generally positive. A name long associated with the universe of aviation, this time Bell & Ross shifts its attention to the vibrant character of cities with a watch designed to appeal to its sophisticated dwellers.
Comprising three models and six references, the BRO5 is a more refined interpretation of the watchmaker’s signature round within a square case design. The angular corners now have softer curves, creating a shape that recalls old television sets.
The case is integrated to the bracelet to form one seemingly inseparable unit. Creative director Bruno Belamich rightly notes that this design “harkens back to the Seventies. When transposed to Bell & Ross, it creates a graphic style that is striking and modern.”
You can also choose to pair it with a ribbed rubber strap, also seamlessly integratedtegrated to the casease via the first linksnks that form part off the case.
The BR05 is available in silvery grey,ey, deep blue and black dials, with the sameme legible numerals and markers found in the BR01 and BR03. The automatic BR-CAL.321 movement, which also powers a date function, is endowed with a skeletonised oscillating weight visible on the sapphire caseback.