BR-X5: From the cockpit to the wrist
Fernando AldeaContinuing Bell & Ross’ aeronautical heritage and visual signature of the “circle within a square”, the BR‐X5 adds a new chapter to the history of the BR 05 collection.
"The BR-X5 has its origins in the BR 05, which has its origins in the BR 01, which has its origins in the aircraft's instrument panel," explains the brand. This aeronautical heritage, a direct link between past and present, is expressed in the letter X, a symbol of secrecy, experimentation, and the future. With the BR-X5, this avant-garde piece makes its entry into the permanent collection.
BR-X5
Thanks to its design and technical features, the BR-X5, powered by a manufactured movement, is positioned as a superlative BR 05 and writes a new chapter in the history of Bell & Ross. Completing the range with a higher level, its design and aesthetics reflect the desire to innovate, be bold, and stand out.
Combination of knowledge
The development of its uniquely configured movement is the result of a combined expertise, a value highly valued by Bell & Ross. It gives new meaning to the "&" symbol: a movement of design and craftsmanship. With this new collection, the watchmaker once again addresses lovers of fine watchmaking.
The nobility of a manufacturing movement
"While boldness was the guiding principle throughout the creative process, the notion of risk was banished from our vocabulary when it came to reliability and precision," explains Bruno Belamich, Creative Director of Bell & Ross. Bell & Ross is adding a watchmaking dimension to the BR 05 collection by equipping its new BR‐X5 with a manufacture movement designed by the Swiss specialist Kenissi. "With the BR‐X5, we wanted to push the technical and aesthetic boundaries," says Bruno Belamich.
BR CAL 323
In accordance with the specifications defined by Bell & Ross, several years of work were required to ensure the design, development, and fine-tuning of the manufacture movement. Equipped with a custom-made oscillating weight and a variable-inertia balance wheel, the BR CAL 323 caliber, which beats at a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour (4 Hz), has a power reserve of approximately 70 hours. This "weekend-proof" capability allows the watch to be left on Friday evening and picked up on Monday morning without having to wind it. Another advantage of this manufacture movement lies in its rapid date correction device, which allows the date to be set at any time without disturbing the watch's operation.
Focused on precision and reliability
The large sapphire crystal caseback allows a view of the workings of this exceptional movement, particularly the oscillating weight, designed with a design inspired by a sports car wheel rim. The mechanism is COSC-certified, a first for Bell & Ross. The Official Swiss Chronometer Testing Organization grants it the chronometer designation, a guarantee of great precision. With this new in-house caliber, BR CAL 323, the brand places greater value on precision and reliability than ever before. Both the movement and the case come with a five-year warranty, something that lovers of beautiful mechanical watches will appreciate.
The audacity of a multi-material box
At Bell & Ross, the Bauhaus principle that function defines design is always at the forefront. In the genesis of the BR-X5, the quest for performance affects both the mechanism and the case. The multi-material case architecture therefore favors purity and radicality, lightness and strength.
Sophistication inspired by aeronautics
The 41 mm-wide case, made entirely of steel, is built around a watertight case, a sort of central core that protects the in-house movement. The crown guard is made from the same block as the case.
The square bezel, with its sapphire crystal over the dial and the open caseback over the movement, are fixed to the two steel plates that form the top and back of the case. The plate-case-caseback assembly is held watertight by four screws that pass through the thickness of the case via four columns, reinforcing the solidity of the construction.
Multi-layer composition
This multi-layered design is discreet from the front, but it makes perfect sense when you look at the BR-X5 from the side. The hollow architecture of the center of the case is evident, revealing a technical construction that optimizes lightness without compromising strength.
The various polished, satin-brushed, and micro-blasted finishes redraw the lines and surfaces of this watchmaking puzzle. A rubber ring highlights the bezel to enrich and personalize the case's finish.
The appeal of a new feature
The BR-X5 is distinguished from the BR 05 by its movement and functions, which are displayed on the dial. The latter features a large aperture date window at 3 o'clock and a circular power reserve indicator at 9 o'clock.
The latter, divided into three parts, allows you to control the watch's battery life. These features give the BR-X5 a new look and visual identity.
An optimized sphere
The dial design optimizes the readability of information. The hours are marked by long applied metal indexes with a rhodium-plated outline, the center of which is filled with X1-grade Super-LumiNova® for optimal readability both day and night.
The rim houses the numerical indications of the minutes.
An integrated design
The integrated steel bracelet attaches securely to the case to form a perfectly ergonomic unit. The articulation of the fastening links offers remarkable comfort when worn.
https://youtu.be/GMFj26D8NngSpecs
| BELL & ROSS BR-X5 BLACK STEEL |
|---|
|
REFERENCE : BRX5R-BL-ST/SST (steel) | BRX5R-BL-ST/SRB (rubber) |
|
MOVEMENT : BR-CAL.323 manufacture, automatic mechanical, power reserve of approximately 70 hours |
|
CASE : 41 mm wide, 12.80 mm thick, polished and satin-finished steel, screw-down crown, crown protection, sapphire case back with oscillating weight | Sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment | Water resistance to 100 meters |
|
DIAL/HANDS : Black sunray effect, applied indexes filled with Super-LumiNova®, skeletonized metal hour and minute hands filled with Super-LumiNova®, black flange with 60-minute graduation and white dial |
|
BRACELET : Black perforated rubber strap or polished and satin-finished steel | Folding clasp, polished and satin-finished steel |
|
FUNCTIONS : Hours, minutes and seconds, date window at 3 o'clock and power reserve indicator at 9 o'clock |
| BELL & ROSS BR-X5 ICE BLUE STEEL |
|---|
|
REFERENCE : BRX5R-IB-ST/SST (steel) | BRX5R-IB-ST/SRB (rubber) |
|
MOVEMENT : BR-CAL.323 manufacture, automatic mechanical, power reserve of approximately 70 hours |
|
CASE : 41 mm wide, 12.80 mm thick, polished and satin-finished steel, screw-down crown, crown protection, sapphire case back with oscillating weight | Sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment | Water resistance to 100 meters |
|
DIAL/HANDS : Ice blue sunburst, applied indexes filled with Super‐LumiNova®, skeletonized metal hour and minute hands filled with Super‐LumiNova®, ice blue flange with 60‐minute graduation and black dial |
|
BRACELET : Ice blue perforated rubber strap or polished and satin-finished steel | Folding clasp, polished and satin-finished steel |
|
FUNCTIONS : Hours, minutes and seconds, date window at 3 o'clock and power reserve indicator at 9 o'clock |
