INTRODUCING: Bell & Ross BR 05 Chrono Green Steel & BR 05 Chrono A523
The Franco-Swiss brand’s ‘circle within a square’ design is updated with two exciting new chronographs.
Traditional round watches are certainly timelessly stylish, but quite frankly, there is something undeniably appealing about a square case. For example, brands like TAG Heuer and Cartier have ensured square watches gain a massive following through their Monaco and Santos lines, respectively.
And then, there’s Bell & Ross, whose aviation-loving founders Bruno Belamich and Carlos Rosillo sought to combine the two shapes. Their BR 01 model officially launched Bell & Ross’ signature ‘circle within a square’ design in 2005. More recently, the BR 05 was unveiled in 2019, putting this unique concept in a luxury sports style.
The BR 05 boasts elements of a sports luxe watch – an integrated steel bracelet with a tapered profile, a relatively thin case, and a simple time-and-date display. Chronographs are now common additions to the mix, endowing complexity to the dial design. Where the Monaco uses square counters to match the case design and the Santos features classic round ones, Bell & Ross has chosen cushion-style sub-dials to mirror the case shape.
The BR 05 Chrono Green Steel
The new BR 05 Chrono Green Steel channels a distinctly urban vibe with an arresting dial in a 42mm case. It is not a particularly complicated watch; instead, it is meant to be a constant companion owing to its versatile styling, robust dimensions, and reliable timekeeping capabilities.
The watch ticks to the tune of the self-winding BR-CAL.326 movement. Visible through the sapphire crystal case back, the rotor is a finely skeletonised full disc inspired by a car rim, a characteristic signature of the brand’s automatic calibres. Atop the green sunray dial, metal hands filled with Super-LumiNova glide over appliqued indexes and satin-finished numerals.
A clever use of the limited real estate on the dial keeps things legible and straightforward – two counters at 3 and 9 o’clock indicate the chronograph minutes and small seconds, respectively, while a compact date window appears between 4 and 5 o’clock. Flat surfaces are given a satin-brushed finishing, while bevels are polished to perfection. A sturdy rubber strap completes the BR 05 Chrono Green Steel for those planning to use this sports watch as intended, while a satin-polished steel bracelet offers a more elegant aesthetic.
The BR 05 Chrono A523
Should you like Bell & Ross’ circle within a square concept and appreciate watches that reflect your passion for motor racing, the BR 05 Chrono A523 is a worthy contender. Making its debut this F1 season, it pays tribute to the brand’s partner, the BWT Alpine F1 Team, with distinctive design elements.
Named after the team’s single-seater Alpine 523 Formula 1 car, the watch will be worn by teammates Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly this race season. Decorated with the French flag, the BR 05 Chrono A523 sports the team blue on its tachymeter rehaut and hands. In addition, the Alpine logo serves as a counterweight to the chronograph hand that sweeps across a matte black dial with Super-LumiNova-filled numerals and indexes.
With a 42mm steel case, the BR 05 Chrono A523 is limited to 500 pieces. It is also powered by the self-winding BR-CAL.326 and can be paired with a steel bracelet or a leather strap.
The BR 05 Chrono Green Steel starts from S$8,700 with a rubber strap, while the BR 05 Chrono A523 tops out at S$10,400 with a steel bracelet. Both are available at all authorised retailers and Bell & Ross boutiques today.
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