Bell & Ross often finds itself at the cutting-edge of innovative watch design, with its impressive range of aviation and aeronautically inspired timepieces pairing action-ready wearability with engaging aestheticism. In Bell & Ross’ latest timepiece, the French/Swiss brand once more finds itself at the forefront of novel creation, pairing exceptional design with manufacture movement, and unveiling the new BR‑X5.
Since its debut in 2019, the BR 05 collection has served as the jewel of strength in the French maison’s catalogue, embodying urban focused design in
a unique and distinctly geometric fashion. In the BR‑X5, Bell & Ross elevates the original integrated silhouette to its pinnacle, drawing from the strong DNA of the brand and presenting a new, sleek design that pairs sportiness with serious intrigue, all while being powered by a manufacture movement manufactured
by Kenissi.
Measuring 41mm in diameter with an approachable thickness of 12.8mm, the exceptional case of the BRX5 is at once familiar while simultaneously evolved
and elevated, pushing the edge of creativity forward. Featuring a sandwich type construction, the timepiece’s precise facets and highly considered cuts touch a chord of the avant-garde, highlighting senses of streamlined lightness and industrial resistance. A bold sense of daring permeates through the aesthetic, with Bell & Ross’ design team making clear their propensity for originative watchmaking once more.
At a glance, the multi-layer construction of the BR‑X5 is discreet when viewed from the front, but comes into its own when seen from the side. The hollowed-out architecture of the case middle is captivating, revealing a technical construction that optimizes lightness without compromising on utility or water resistance. The different polished, satin-brushed and micro-blasted finishes throughout the case highlight the lines and surfaces of the design, and ensure the successful completion of this watchmaking puzzle.
In its construction, the case of the BR‑X5 begins with a steel core, the central component machined from the same block of metal as the watch’s crown guards and in-effect ensuring the superior protection of the timepiece and its movement. Flanking the core are the watch’s square bezel, highlighted via a rubber ring, and its caseback, both fixed to the two steel plates that form the top and bottom of the case. The novel assembly is kept watertight to 100m by four screws that pass through the thickness of the case via four columns, each of which reinforce the solidity of the construction while providing a signature look.
While forward looking in its sophistication, the modern watch remains in-line with the familiar attitudes which have helped define Bell & Ross, being perfectly balanced in its elevation by its versatility. Throughout the design a sense of sportiness and practical reliability carry through, these sentiments provided by both its steel construction and as well as integrated design between the case and matching steel bracelet or openworked rubber strap.
Towards the 3 o’clock position, a date window evoking the aeronautical DNA of Bell & Ross is featured, channeling the influence of analog flight instruments
into this contemporarily oriented timepiece. While on the opposite side of the display a stepped power reserve indicator is at work, with its 3-day scale hinting at the impressive mechanism powering the watch from within.
Driving the BR‑X5 is one of the most significant calibers in the Bell & Ross’ storied history: the Calibre BR-CAL.323. Developed in partnership between
the French brand and the esteemed mechanical manufacture Kenissi, the mechanism resulted from several years of design, development, and fine-tuning, and features an exclusive configuration in compliance with the specifications defined by Bell & Ross.
The automatic movement importantly represents a new era in mechanical thinking within the brand’s catalogue and a continued expression of Bell & Ross’
cutting-edge work. “While aesthetic daring was the guiding principle throughout the creative stages of the BR‑X5, when it came to timekeeping reliability
and precision, the notion of risk was banished from our vocabulary”, explains Bruno Belamich, Bell & Ross Creative Director.