Bell & Ross drops a lovely Lum model.

Once in a while, you meet a watch that makes you a little weak in the knees. Which was exactly what happened when I saw the Bell & Ross BR 03-92 Grey Lum. The fourth model in Bell & Ross’ ‘Lum’ series, this anthracite version is quite possibly my favourite.

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Introduced in 2017, the ‘Lum’ series stands out for its application of Super-LumiNova C3, which results in greater visibility for longer periods of time. Not only is the material intensely bright and long-lasting, it also takes a much faster time to recharge, compared to other types of Super-LumiNova.

The BR 03-92 Grey Lum inherits the classic features of the BR 03 series, with a 42mm case and the ‘circle in a square’ aesthetic. It also retains the date window between four and five o’clock. Now, date windows have always been a point of contention among watch collectors. Some are fiercely anti-date (why ruin a symmetrical dial?), others love the functionality of a date display. 

I get both sides of the argument, but one thing I’ve never particularly liked in the BR 03 collection (in fact, most of the BR collections, except the recent BR 05) is the date window, which seems a little—as we say in local speak—‘not-here-not-there’. Although the window itself is small enough not to distract too much from the otherwise symmetrical layout, it’s actually too small for double-digit dates to be seen clearly (or maybe I’m just getting old). The BR 05, on the other hand, places the sufficiently big date window squarely (pun unintended) at three o’clock which, for me, is very pleasant to see.

But yes, I’m probably nitpicking, because the watch is really rather gorgeous on the whole. While previous Lum models have been clad in micro-blasted steel or matte ceramic cases, this one comes in a satin-finished polished steel case. When paired with the grey sunray anthracite dial and striking lume, it makes for a stunning piece of wrist candy indeed.

Recently, we’ve seen some erm, interesting straps and bracelets from a couple of brands (not saying who) and it’s fair to say sometimes, they make or break a watch. With the BR 03-92 Grey Lum, Bell & Ross looks to have gotten it right, with the option of grey-green stitched calfskin or an ultra-resilient black synthetic fabric, which is both on point and functional.

If I had a larger wrist, I’d seriously consider this on my rotation of daily beaters (you can’t have just one, right?). I’d even look past the date window. And not just because I can’t see it clearly.

Case	42mm satin-finished polished steel
Dial	Anthracite grey sunray, numerals and indexes coated in green Super-LumiNova C3 with metal skeletonised Super-LumiNova-filled hands
Movement	Self-winding BR-CAL.302
Strap	Grey-green calfskin and ultra-resilient black synthetic strap
Functions	Hours, minutes, seconds, date
Power Reserve	38 hours
Price	S$4,800

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