BELL AND ROSS WATCHES OVER THE YEARS: A SHOWCASE OF ICONIC DESIGNS

It all began in 1992. That year, Carlos A. Rosillo and Bruno Belamich were only two childhood friends. Yet, they collaborated to produce one of the most celebrated explorations in watchmaking. That collaboration turns out to be the highlight of the late 20th century watchmaking story. These are Bell and Ross watches.

Simply put, they agreed to begin a journey under one straightforward tenet: “function shapes form.” Therefore, the mission of the Bell and Ross brand was to build timepieces with unique impacts. These Bell and Ross watches come furnished to deal with the harsh constraints of professional use. In addition, they also embody the imperial nature of the Swiss watchmaking tradition.

Furthermore, another three words that perfectly describes the Bell and Ross brand are:

• Efficiency
• Reliability
• Legibility. 

Hence, right from the brand’s factory in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland, Bell and Ross stays true to these tenets. Bell and Ross watches over the years perfectly exemplify all of these tenets. This explains why the brand remains a top option for professionals. These professionals include: 

• Bomb Disposal Professionals
• Pilots
• Divers
• Astronauts

Bell And Ross Partnerships And A Commitment To Quality

Over time, we can say boldly that the most brilliant idea from these two young investors was to work together immediately with Sinn. This happened as soon as they began the Bell and Ross brand.

Plus, Sinn is a well-known manufacturer that deals in the creation of dashboard meters. With this collaboration, the watchmaking industry witnessed the advent of Hydro and Space One.

Furthermore, there came a second idea. This idea was to kick off the exploration by giving the brand a dominant presence as a valuable chronometer. The mission was simply to fulfill the demands of intense professionals. 

This is why the first users of Bell and Ross watches as soon as they launched were the Air Force and NATO. In addition, the Bell & Ross brand again prepared members of the French security service’s bomb disposal squad.

Likewise, to intensify its commitment to quality, Bell and Ross proceeded to create the Hydromax. This remains the most durable timepiece all over the world. 

This wristwatch is prolific for deep underwater tasks. More so, it presents an impressive world record for water resistance up to 11,000 meters. In addition, Bell and Ross watches also successfully revived the liking and desire for pilot watches. This revival thrived in the 50s and 60s even though it later faded away.

The Bell And Ross Brand Over The Years

Here, we will consider how the journey to becoming a renowned brand was like for the Bell and Ross brand.

• 1994

This year saw Bell and Ross re-issuing the popular Space 1. This watch became the first automatic chronometer to travel to space. More so, this edition of the watch was initially worn on the wrist of German astronaut Reinhart Furrer. He rocked the watch during the Spacelab expedition in 1983.

• 1996

The Bell and Ross brand introduced the Bomb Disposal Type this year. This release was for the bomb disposal unit under the French Security Services. There was an anti-magnetic feature that came with this watch. 

The watch also featured an A-magnetic case, and a superior level of steadfastness and exactness. With this, she could satisfy the distinct demands of bomb disposal procedures.

• 1997

This year welcomed the Bell & Ross Hydro Challenger. This timepiece reset the world water resistance record. In fact, this iconic timepiece entered the Guinness Book of World Records.

With this release, the Bell and Ross brand validated that the watch could work at an unbelievable 11,000 meter depth.

• 1998

There came the Space 4 chronograph. This watch exemplifies all the expertise displayed by Bell & Ross watches. This watch comes ready with a screwed down, telescopic retractable winding crown. Another name for this part of the watch is the T-Crown system.

Thanks to the addition, there was room for the winding crown to become a whole part I the watch. It sits pretty within the depth of the watch’s case.

• 2001

Bell and Ross hit the matchmaking industry with yet another original multifunction men’s timepiece. To describe this timepiece correctly is to see it as functionality featured with that classic style. This timepiece featured modern movements with both an analog and digital exhibition.  

• 2002

Bell and Ross introduced the first jumping hour hand timepiece. This watch came with a power reserve indicator which will be the first of its kind. The Vintage 123 Heure Sautante came forth as a product of a rewarding alliance. This is the alliance between Bell & Ross and the Swiss master craftsman Vincent Calabrese. 

The watch featured a design parading an automatic movement. Therefore, this wonderful complication delivered a simple, common means to tell time.

• 2003

The Bell and Ross brand impressed the ladies by parading the Mystery Diamond. This is one diamond that incredibly hides the hidden mystery of its weightlessness. This is a diamond that floats and rotates between the dial and the crystal. That is how it tells the time.

• 2005

The first of the BR series of Bell and Ross watches hit the watchmaking scene to the joy of wristwatch lovers. The BR01 came with features like:

• A mechanical automatic movement
• A case measuring a total of 46mm
• Lastly, a styling aesthetic following on aeronautical mechanisms. 

Due to the distinctive squared cases, this watch became the most celebrated of all Bell & Ross watches. The timepiece truly dominated proceedings in the Bell and Ross brand aviation category. 

Thereafter, there came the BR03. This watch model came with a 42mm case. A truly fitting size for watch lovers with tinier wrists. After that, we had the BR-S watches which were even tinier. They came with a 39mm case size. However, they added an assortment of colors and styles to the excitement of the ladies.

• Present Day Bell And Ross Watches

Truly, these timepieces had a design channelled to satisfy the special necessities of extreme duties. From their structure and technology you will notice the huge impact of Bell & Ross watches on the watchmaking industry.

Meanwhile, there are still several watches ideal for watch fans who may not have these extreme needs. It doesn’t matter if you ain’t traveling to space or taking a dive over thousands of meters underwater. This amazing collection of Bell and Ross watches still has a timepiece fit for you.

Present Array Of Designs Provided By Bell and Ross

Presently, there are three Bell & Ross lines you can pick from. They include: 

• The Marine line
• The Aviation line and 
• The Vintage line. 

Keep it in mind that every version of these lines comes furnished with diverse unique capacities. However, they all share certain mutual features: 

• Terrific Swiss mechanical movements
• Top-of-the-range water resistance and 
• Legible visual pointers.

We start with the professional diver’s timepieces in the Marine line. These watches come with decompression valves and faces that are flawlessly readable even in poor light conditions. 

Then there is the Chronograph model that provides you with unfailing water resistant. The water resistance is as deep as 500m. While the automatic edition will keep ticking even at 1,000m under water.

Alt-Image: Bell and Ross for the classic watch lovers

Additionally, the vintage line comes in to reawaken the essence of timepieces donned by pilots in the ’40s. These watches deliver a more sophisticated look compared to the other lines. You get to see the natural leather straps, folding buckles and satin finish cases that come with the watch. These additions are simply fitting to be in this classic collection.

Bell And Ross Watches: A Showcase Of Iconic Designs

No one saw this coming before it did. Who thought that rocking a watch with the appearance of a cockpit tool would turn out to be cool? 

Clearly, only these Swiss company Bell and Ross watches did so. This Bell and Ross brand did right from when it initially launched in 1992.

As we mentioned earlier, Bell and Ross is a Swiss watch brand created by Carlos Rosillo and Bruno Belamich in 1992. Prior to the launching of the brand as a business enterprise, Bell & Ross was only a university project. But now, the Bell & Ross brand is celebrated for creating diving, aviator, and military-inspired timepieces.

In addition, the brand parades a line of space control and aircraft experts and engineers. These people create timepieces fitted for professional use. The goal for Bell & Ross as a brand was to be a member of the Swatch Group lineup. More so, they continued to ensure that their creations are fail-tested in very harsh situations.

Overall, Bell and Ross watches feature a blend of four important attributes. They include:

• Impressive water-resistant levels
• Legible visual pointers designed like aircraft instrument panels
• Swiss mechanical movements unrivaled in precision  
• Extraordinary perks for experts dealing with harsh conditions. Experts like pilots, astronauts, and divers

Finally, Bell and Ross watches undergo a series of tests to detect any defect. This might come as a reaction to chemicals, shock, pressure, and UV radiation. All of these must take place before they hit the markets. 

Since the 1990s, Bell and Ross remained in partnership with Sinn until they had to part ways in 2002. Presently, they oversee their own self-sufficient production in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland.

The Best Of These Iconic Designs

Below is a list of the best Bell and Ross watches. These watches deliver a flawless union of function and form. Check them out!

• Instruments BR03-94 Blue Steel Wristwatch

The first timepiece on our list is this elegantly adorned BR03-94 Blue Steel. This watch is a part of the Instruments collection. This watch comes with a pleasing stainless-steel case. The case measures a total of 42 mm in diameter. 

More so, Its strong and gorgeous blue ultra-resistant aesthetic fabric makes it special. Likewise, its blue calfskin material enables it to tolerate numerous natural elements.

• BR 03-92 Bi-Compass Wristwatch

For the BR 03-92 Bi-Compass you have the most recent iteration of the brand’s aircraft–based cockpit watch. 

Each instrument present on the layout of this watch is a reference in respect to precision, functionality, legibility, and a reliable performance. 

In addition, the color scheme of the Bi-Compass matches that of the U.S. Navy avionic instrument. This watch gets its power from the automatic BR–CAL.302. The movement comes with a 38-hour power reserve. The movement comes in a 42 mm matte black ceramic casing.

• The Bell And Ross V2-92 Military Beige

What is most captivating about the BR V2-92 Bell and Ross watches is its flawlessness in imitation. This watch takes all those components from other timepieces. And it features them all in the thin case it comes in. 

Moreover, there is a 12 mm thickness that the domed crystal adds. Yet, the thin case makes the wristwatch a perfect fit for most wrists.

This model comprises a bracelet that comes with its center links neatly smoothed out.  Additionally, there is a featured Marine Nationale-esque elastic canvas strap. Finally, this matches with a trademark branded strap that itself features a desert tan–accented black paracord.

• The Bell And Ross BR05 Collection

Staying true to the brand’s four attributes that we mentioned above, the BR05 parades an entirely urban aura and image. Check out the structure of this wristwatch and see how it oversteps the age-long square-shape. Now, you have a timepiece with the shape of a circle.

Ultimately, these Bell and Ross watches come in three distinct steel editions. They include the Black, Blue and Grey Steel. Plus, Its movement is the caliber BR–CAL.321 combined with the core caliber Sellita SW-300.

• BR 03-92 MA-1

This watch from the Bell and Ross brand is a more basic version of the brand’s authentic pilot timepiece. This watch also captions delicate elements that pay homage to the 1958 MA-1/ ‘bomber’ of the U.S. Air Force.

Furthermore, the watch’s unusual 42 mm square case together with its bezel adds to the bomber jacket’s khaki shade. Similarly, the case is again a product of the lightweight, scratch-proof ceramic. Despite appearing so strong, the ceramic’s covering is exceptionally fascinating, smooth, and an all-round pleasure.

Conclusion

All of these Bell and Ross watches portray a singular message from the Bell and Ross brand. That message is the desire of the brand to pursue quality. This is obvious through their iconic designs. More so, you must admire the brand’s incredible fusions of various noble and novel concepts to create magic.