Aviation is a passion at Bell & Ross, and reinterpreting on-board instruments, its guiding force. The iconic BR 01 watch took its inspiration from the clock in an aircraft cockpit. With its latest collection of Marine Instruments, the watchmaking firm is temporarily leaving runways, radars and fighter planes planes for the high seas. The quest to explore new territories has led Bell & Ross to release a series of three watches.

The new marine Instrument collection takes the essence of the legendary 18th century clock invented by John Harrison and scales it down to watch size. At that time, ship’s clocks were housed inside square wooden cases. However, the display was round, just like the majority of modern watches: a circle within a square. In the design of these new watches, Bell & Ross combines contemporary and retro touches, and include materials that bring the watch to life: Indian Rosewood, Bronze, Rose Gold and Titanium.

The BR 01 Instrument De Marine

A faithful rendering of a ship’s clock as a wristwatch, this model is similar to the iconic BR01 in its execution. The BR 01 Marine Instrument has a stylish, subtly retro design. This watch has a case, bezel and winding crown made from bronze. Only the caseback features more contemporary titanium. In a final touch, an elegant band of rosewood encircles the case of the watch.

The dial pairs white lacquer, Roman numerals and fine blued steel hands, in tribute to the aesthetic of these 18th century instruments. The small seconds dial, with its delicate graphic layout, sits at 6 o’clock. The mechanism elected is a hand-wound movement, as would have been used in this era, It has a central hour and minute display, with the seconds at 6 o’clock. Finally the power reserve, which, at 56 hours, is much greater than usual, and is a tribute to long ocean crossings.

The watch is a limited to 500 pieces worldwide.

BR-X1 Skeleton Chronograph

Bold and stylish, this chronograph is equipped with an automatic skeleton movement. This ultra-sophisticated mechanism can be admired through the sapphire crystal dial, which has a slight grey tint finish. It is paired with a minute track featuring Roman numerals and gilt appliqué indices, covered in SuperLuminova. The skeleton theme is continued with the gilt hands. The sophisticated case is a symphony of titanium, rosewood and bronze. It encloses the bezel, push-pieces, crown and crown protector.

The automatic caliber provides a chronograph function, small seconds at 3 o’clock and skeleton date at 6 o’clock. The chronograph minute timer sits at 9 o’clock. Stripped of hands, it takes the form of an aluminium disc with a design clearly evoking a ship’s propeller.

The watch is a limited to 99 pieces worldwide.

BR-X1 Tourbillon Chronograph

Considered to be the most exclusive version, this Haute Horlogerie model houses an exceptional hand wound mechanism. This prestigious version is housed in an 18CT rose gold and wood case. In classic fashion, the central hands on the dial indicate the hours and minutes. Two gilt metal counter discs sit at 2 and 10 o’clock. The first is the 60-second chronograph counter, equipped with a 6 impulse per second sweeping hand. The second is the 30-minute chronograph counter, with its semi-instantaneous jumping hand. The gilt tourbillon cage sits proudly at 6 o’clock.

The skeleton work on the upper bridges allows a view of the exceptional chronograph movement that is triggered using the mono-pusher at 2 o’clock. A sophisticated hand-wound mechanism, the flying tourbillon has 282 minuscule parts, and sits inside a delicate suspended cage. Unusually, it is fitted on the main plate without an upper bridge. This means the tourbillon appears to float mid air. This incredibly complex movement benefits from a colossal 100-hour power reserve, equivalent to 4 days, indicated by a hand set at 9 o’clock. The brand’s signature, the iconic ‘&’ marks the seconds on the tourbillon cage.

The watch is a limited to 20 pieces worldwide.