Bell&Ross is famous for its connection with extreme sports such as aviation or diving and, the watch we are talking about today, takes its very inspiration from an aerospace component. The central part of this model is entirely inspired by theartificial horizon, which has been placed in a square, i.e., the shape that distinguishes the BR-03 collection born in 2010.
The link between watchmaking and aviation has been known and enduring for nearly a century, even before electronics took over. In the early days of civil aviation, on-board instrumentation was completely analog and not very accurate, so pilots were forced to fly by sight relying only on visual references or instruments such as watches.
And it is from the instruments of the sky craft that Bell & Ross has always taken inspiration for its timepieces, which have become sought after by many collectors around the world.
Dear friends of IWS, without further ado, get ready for takeoff to explore the new Bell & RossIl BR-03 Horizon.
The BR-03 Collection
The watch recently presented by Bell & Ross and which we will talk about today, is part of the BR-03 collection that as I mentioned was born approximately 15 years ago. Through this collection, the Franco-Swiss brand wants to show all its passion for the aerospace world with unique and functional designs, recognizable by the 4 screws at the four corners of the square case, in which the dial takes inspiration from the on-board instrumentation found in the cockpit, indispensable for a pilot.
BR-03 Horizon
The new Bell&Ross BR-03 Horizon features a 41mm-diameter, 10.6mm-thick case made entirely of microbead-blasted ceramic.
The inside of the dial represents theartificial horizon, a critically important technology because it has enabled pilots to more accurately understand the orientation of the aircraft during flight, without the need for visual references.
What distinguishes the watch is maximum legibility despite the particular hands indicated hours and minutes, perfectly integrated by the maison. The seconds are represented by the black and white hand, while the completely white one indicates the minutes. Hours, on the other hand, are visible through the large black arrow at twelve o’clock, which, just as on board airplanes rotates, creating a gyroscopic effect. The red indicator in the center identifies the airplane, while the upper semicircle in blue identifies the sky and the black one below identifies the earth. In addition, the graduated scale outside the dial indicates the plane’s lateral tilt angle, while the center scale indicates attitude.
Animating this timepiece is the BR-CAL 327 caliber, an automatic movement with 54 hours of power reserve. The straps, too, are related to the aerospace world, particularly pilot’s equipment. Thus we find two types: a black rubber one and an orange synthetic canvas one.
The artificial horizon
This device, along with the anemometer, altimeter, turn indicator, gyrocompass and variometer proves indispensable, made it possible to fly even in low visibility and at night, paving the way for flight as we know it today.
The artificial horizon works through a three-axis gyroscope, allowing pilots to know the attitude and tilt of the aircraft relative to its central axis, providing greater safety and intuitiveness.
Price and availability
If you’d like to buy the new Bell&Ross BR-03 Horizon and feel like a pilot for a few moments, the starting price is 4,500€ but you’ll have to hurry because the series is limited to 999 units.
Conclusions
Bell&Ross reconfirms itself as one of the most skillful maisons in connecting two worlds: watchmaking and aviation. With this timepiece, dedicated to those who like to be more in the sky than with their feet on the ground, it has succeeded once again.
Visit our Youtube channel to experience the best of the world of watchmaking firsthand.
For all real-time updates follow us on Instagram.
