Timepieces that will be passed down forever #03 Bell & Ross "BR-X3"

Perhaps their distinctive originality lies in their origins as a French brand. With a mature individualism, they are pioneers who maintain their own unique style, even if it means being egocentric at times. This spirit is evident in the refined originality of Bell & Ross. Their unparalleled, one-of-a-kind presence and determination to carve out a path to the future make them worthy of being called masterpieces.

The symbolic design of a "circle within a square" shows the unwavering stance of the French brand

　The brand name comes from the nickname of its two French founders, Bruno Belamich and Carlos Rosillo. They were friends in high school and went on to pursue different paths after graduation, one in design and the other in management, but they shared a passion for watches and launched the brand in 1994. The original watches were produced in collaboration with the German watch brand Sinn, and although the brand now has its watchmaking base in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland, it is a French brand with its headquarters in Paris.

　More than 20 years ago, Bell & Ross was also on display at Colette, the legendary select shop on Rue Saint-Honoré in Paris. Its designs, an exquisite blend of vintage and modernity, were overflowing with French taste and exuded a strong affinity with contemporary fashion and lifestyles.

　Another distinctive feature of the brand is that none of its founders are watch conceptors, rather than watchmakers. They emphasize consistency in everything from clear branding to concept, design, and promotion. While always incorporating the sensibilities of the times, the brand's identity remains unwavering. This is the background that led to the unique design of a "circle within a square."

　The innovative style, reminiscent of a cut-out panel from an aviation instrument, strongly reflects the brand's creativity, which has pursued functional beauty based on military and pilot watches. Since its debut with the "BR-01" in 2005, it has become widely recognized as an iconic design code that symbolizes the brand.

　The latest model, the BR-X3 Black Titanium, was born as a premium model of the current flagship collection, the BR-03. Following on from last year's skeleton model, it now incorporates the BR-X collection, which pursues a fusion of performance and modernity, and continues its legacy.

　While retaining the design with screws at the four corners of the square shape, components such as the bezel and middle case are fixed to two titanium plates, one above the other, in a sandwich structure. Furthermore, black rubber is used for the bezel ring and side pillars. The black continues into the strap, almost penetrating the case, creating a chic contrast with the matte dark gray titanium. Making the most of the multi-layered structure, the watch creates an exquisite color combination of different materials.

　The Grade 2 titanium used for the exterior is a material used in aeronautics, aerospace engineering, and motorsports, and is resistant to corrosion and scratches. It is also lighter and boasts a strength-to-weight ratio that is about two-thirds that of steel, making it an ideal cutting-edge material for this avant-garde style.

　The dial features a symmetrical layout of the power reserve indicator and date display on the left and right. The frame that frames these is designed with the "X" motif of the collection's name, enhancing the feel of an instrument. Furthermore, the wide, sloping flange, as well as the height differences of the applied indexes and the date display window, create a sense of depth and three-dimensionality.

　The movement used is the BR-CAL.323, specially developed by Kenissi. It has been used in higher-end models since the BR-X5, which was released in 22. It boasts a power reserve of approximately 70 hours and the precision of a COSC-certified chronometer. The power reserve indicator has been redesigned from the conventional circular counter, giving it a fresh yet harmonious impression with the overall design.

　The face has been given more definition through the adoption of a bezel ring and the increased size of the screws, further enhancing the appeal of the "circle within a square" design. This is nothing less than a design code that has evolved independently for the next generation while retaining its DNA based on aviation instruments.

　This iconic style coincides with the 20th anniversary of our magazine, Kronos Japan, but this is just one milestone.