Bell & Ross is making us miss travel big time.

As things stand, surely it isn’t a case of if - but when - we get to travel freely again, right? Whether vacations happen later than sooner, Bell & Ross really knows how to make our hearts ache for the days of worry-free flights out of town with its GMT watches.

It was only in April when the brand rocked up with the BR 03-93 GMT, a two-time zone watch with ‘Coke’ coloured bezel on its beloved BR 03 flight instrument panel-inspired collection. This time, though, we are getting the ‘urban’ take on its continent-crossing complication with the BR 05 GMT.

Introduced in 2019, the BR 05 collection marked Bell & Ross’ most intentional update of its trademark square cased creations. Imbued with a greater sense of dressy sophistication compared to its brethren, the BR 05 watches flaunted refined contrast finishing, rounded edges and integrated bracelets. Rocking a decidedly urbane vibe, the collection appears to celebrate the burgeoning heydays of the luxury sports watches from the 1980s, characterised by the likes of the Nautilus and Royal Oak that defined the watch category, while touting the attractive starting price of approximately S$6,500 to S$7,500 for the steel models.

The BR 05 range may be new, but it also boasts a rather impressive line-up comprising steel, bi-metal and full gold options, as well as skeleton dial and chronograph offerings. The BR 05 GMT is a great addition to the family with a technical complication that is utilitarian and practical, and alludes to Bell & Ross’ brand spirit as an aviation-inspired watch company.

Like the BR 03-93 GMT, the new BR 05 GMT runs on the automatic BR-CAL 325 movement with date and 42-hour power reserve that is modified from the ETA 2893-2. An industry standard, the ETA 2893-2 is the go-to third party movement for brands looking to add GMT functionality by way of a 24-hour hand to a well-established and robust calibre. On the BR 05 GMT, the adjustment of the broad arrow 24-hour GMT hand is fuss-free, the mechanism allowing you to set it independently of the hour hand. This is complemented by an inner rotating dial flange marked by a 24-hour scale and day/night segments.

Bell & Ross has kept it simple for this collection’s debut GMT model, opting for a 40mm steel case and integrated three-link bracelet (or rubber strap, depending on the model) that expresses the range’s refined and elegant machismo. Meanwhile, the black sunburst dial with contrasting white indices and hands, and prominent GMT hand, exude business-like sobriety and, not to mention, offer excellent legibility harking to the instrument panel-style displays of the basic BR 01 and BR 03 models.

The BR 05 GMT’s handsome sophistication will look comfortable on the wrists of soon-to-be globetrotters who have no qualms about upgrading flight classes. Even so, it is a watch that wouldn’t put one at too much financial inconvenience to get there, priced at S$6,700 and S$7,500 for the rubber strap and bracelet options, respectively. And certainly, something you can get sooner than that next plane ticket out of town.

Case	40mm x 40mm stainless steel
Dial	Black sunray with numerals and indices coated in white SuperLumiNova
Movement	Automatic chronograph BR.CAL 325
Functions	Hours, minutes, seconds, date, GMT
Power reserve	42 hours
Price	Stainless steel with rubber strap (S$6,700) Stainless steel with bracelet (S$7,500)

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