Bold and unapologetic, the designs of Bell & Ross are firmly rooted in the somewhat romantic world of aviation. Inspired by the instruments of a mid-20th Century plane, their watches have taken cues from cockpit clocks, altimeters, and even radar readouts. In 2024, the new Bell & Ross BR05 Ceramic collection takes the instrument out of the cockpit and onto the wrist of the urban explorer, whilst retaining all of the aviation inspired design elements that watch enthusiasts have come to love.
A natural fit for Bell & Ross, ceramics were introduced into the watchmaking industry in the 1980s, and is a perfect material for the brand – being used in aerospace applications such as rocket nose cones and heat shields for spacecraft. Bell & Ross first utilised ceramic in their flagship BR01 watch in 2011, and now, their more urban BR05 reflects the brand’s acute attention to the ceramics manufacturing processes. Three new BR05 models join the collection with a ceramic case and ceramic bracelet options that reflect the slick new direction of these aviation inspired urban pieces.
Two of the three models will become permanent members of the collection, and the third will be a 500 piece limited edition. The BR05 Black Ceramic features the brand’s signature cockpit clock design, with a sunburst finish, and the date at 3 o’clock, whilst the BR05 Skeleton Black Ceramic features a skeletonised dial and a cleaner layout that omits the date window. As an option, the models are also available on a black rubber strap and a folding buckle. The styling is contemporary, yet has a touch of retro blended into it with the 70s style integrated bracelet and strap design. Measuring in at 41mm in diameter, the watch maintains a powerful presence on the wrist whilst managing to not feel oversized. These two models also manage to play with finishes, with a refined mix of brushed and polished surfaces on the case and bracelet.
The limited edition BR05 Skeleton Black Lum Ceramic, limited to 500 pieces worldwide, is finished in a stealthy matte ceramic case and bracelet, with a skeletonised dial and green hour markers and hands. In particular, the green markers and hands on the dial are filled with C5 SuperLuminova, which gives an almost ethereal green glow to the dial, as well as providing much needed contrast to the matte black case. This model only has the bracelet option available to it, but in our eyes, we would have it no other way.
All watches come with a screw-in crown and 100m water resistance for the ultimate in everyday usability.
Powering the BR05 Black Ceramic is the BR321-1 Automatic movement – a Sellita based movement, with date, and 54 hours of power reserve. The BR05 Skeleton Black Ceramic and Black Lum Ceramic are powered by the BR322-1 which is a skeletonised version of the Sellita movement made to Bell & Ross specifications – this too has a power reserve of 54 hours.
Bell & Ross has continuously and successfully reinvented themselves in their collections, whilst also remaining true to their cockpit instrument design – this has enabled them to have longevity amongst watch enthusiasts, and longevity in their designs. The BR05 series represents an evolution in this design, and firmly sets it into the world of streetwear and contemporary fashion, whilst maintaining the key DNA that Bell & Ross have been known for over the past decade. A strong complement to the current collection, the three models unveiled at Watches and Wonders are sure to surprise and delight their owners with the smart details and bold design.