
Gentlemanly Restraint
Art and science collide in the the newly released BR03A watch collection by Bell & Ross.
Related articles
In keeping with the brand’s design salute to aviation and military equipment, the pared-back face of the Bell & Ross BR03 Automatic takes its cue from the instrumentation in cockpits. It’s unabashedly minimal and confidently masculine style is set to make it a future classic.
Faithful to the codes that underpin the brand’s identity, the new utilitarian offerings sit within a smaller 41-mm case (a slight departure from the original at 42 mm Diver, Chrono or GMT.) and has a reduced lug width and slimmer hands. The changes extend to the watch movement, which has been updated with a BR-CAL.302 calibre. The watch is waterproof to 300 metres and offers a power reserve of 54 hours.
While the new collection offers an elegant sufficiency of colourways, from a stealthy black to more decorative bronze face with a tan strap, each is a faithful rendition of the stylish “rounded square, four-screw” motif that is Bell & Ross’s calling card.
For extra slickness, the all-black Phantom and Nightlum models have a stealthy, secret-agent appeal, offering up a new take on masculine restraint.
Yet even the more decorative styles, like the black face with contrasting army-green band, feel eminently versatile and easy to wear. The 60’s simplicity and legibility of the face is what makes it so distinctive and functional.
For example, the BR 03-92 Nightlum, with its black matte case and dial, and bright green indices and hands, offers a great contrast during the day and emits useful luminosity at night.
A watch that begs to be read, the the BR03-A stands up to scrutiny, and looks just as good next to a crisp, white cuff as it does at the end of a matte, black wetsuit.
That’s a claim not many watch collections can make.
Subscribe to the Newsletter
Recommended for you
About Last Night: Kennedy and Patek Philippe Gala
Kennedy, the fine watches and jewellery retailer with 10 locations around Australia, held a gala dinner at the new Ritz-Carlton in Melbourne last night to launch a new exhibition in partnership with Patek Philippe.
December 1, 2023
The 7 Best Watches of the Week, From Lewis Hamilton’s IWC to Gordon Ramsay’s Rolex
Celebs pulled out all the horological stops for the Las Vegas Grand Prix.
November 27, 2023