Bell & Ross Releases New Alpine Racing Limited Edition Watches

Celebrating its role as official partner of the Alpine F1 team, three new stealthy black and blue dial chronograph variations launch, testifying to the brand’s innate motorsport racing spirit

When Bell & Ross first launched its X Renault F1 watch, the thought may have crossed your mind that this collaboration was stepping too far outside the manufacturer’s comfort zone. But you’d have been wrong. The partnership gave way to several R.S. collections, namely the R.S.16, R.S.17 and R.S.18 released each year starting from 2016, followed by the R.S.19 in 2019, clad in zesty yellow colours. Then came the R.S.20 last year, dressed in the signature Renault F1 colours of yellow and black. A far cry from the brand’s original military and instrument tool watches you may think? Of course, but still no less ready for action. The focus on these Bell & Ross Renault watches has been racing, racing and more racing. As CEO Carlos Rosillo explained a little on how the company needs to diversify as it evolved to remain current and relative to its devoted audiences:

"we enter into a new territory with new challenges, but this doesn’t mean that we’ll turn our back on the aviation universe. We’ll always remain faithful to our origins, but it is normal for us to always search for new inspirational fields. With this new partnership, the opportunities in terms of creation are limitless.”

Racing inspired materials and a bold technical look are key qualities of the Bell & Ross Renault collections. The new Alpine Racing additions that are limited to 500 pieces wordwide are once more, unmistakably motorsport inspired and this time, clad in a striking blue and black outfit. These three limited-edition Bell & Ross watches have been released today; the ref: BRV394-A521/SST – a tonneau-shaped steel case on a stainless steel bracelet or a leather strap version ref: BRV394-A521/SCA. Also, the ref: BR0394-A521/SRB featuring the iconic circle within a square steel case design.

The Bell & Ross Alpine Racing BRV394-A521/SST and BRV394-A521/SCA models

The BRV394-A521/SST and BRV394-A521/SCA watches – that’s those with the barrel-shaped cases -  echo the profile and style of the R.S.20 released last year and offer the go-to complication utilized throughout the motorsport watch sector – the chronograph. Taking inspiration from the Renault 2020 team, Bell & Ross has toned down the colour palette on the Alpine Racing dial without losing the collection’s all-important racing spirit. The satin-finished and polished accents on the case give the new Bell & Ross Alpine limited edition watches plenty of definition and racing character.

The 43mm Bell & Ross Alpine Racing models are both 100-meter water-resistant, feature a screw-down crown and a crown guard to assist with a watertight seal around the watch’s delicate organs. The back of the cases are sealed with a transparent exhibition caseback crafted from anti-reflective and scratch-resistant sapphire crystal glass, granting a unique glimpse into the performance of the chosen self-winding calibre. This same glass material is also used for the front of the watch, protecting the surface of a black dial equipped with metal skeletonised hands. These elements on the dial, alongside the hour markers, are treated with Super-LumiNova material, promising to glow richly in the dark. The dial also features a central blue-coloured chronograph hand, a 30-minute register at 9 o’clock and a small second sub-dial at 3 o’clock. A tachymeter scale features around the flange of the dial, highlighted in a striking blue hue to match the chronograph hands.

On top of the Bell & Ross Alpine Racing BR V3-94 A521 SST and BR V3-94 A521  SCA models are bidirectional rotating steel bezels with anodised black aluminium rings and legible 60-minute countdown scales. The BR-CAL.301 movement beats away rhythmically inside the watch’s rugged steel case, providing a 42-hour power reserve and turning at 28,800 oscillations per hour. Regardless of whether you choose the black and blue calf leather strap option or the stainless steel bracelet – the Bell & Ross BR V3-94 A521 watch is sure to impart a sporty, confident and bold look on the wrist. The chequered squares symbolising the finish line flag used in motor racing are, however, a nice touch to the calfskin strap.

Specifications:

• Case: 43mm – satin-brushed and polished – tonneau-shaped – 100-meter water-resistant – sapphire crystal glass front with AR coating – sapphire crystal glass caseback – black anodised aluminium bi-directional rotation bezel with 60-minute scale
• Dial: Black – metal skeletonized hands – SuperLumiNova treated hands and indexes – blue chronograph dial – 30-minute counter at 9H – small seconds at 3H – blue tachymeter around flange – date at 4:30
• Movement: BR CAL.301 – self-winding – 28,800 v.h.p – 42-hour power reserve
• Strap: Stainless steel with folding clasp – carbon-effect black and blue calfskin leather strap with folding buckle
• Reference: BR V3-94 A521 SST stainless steel bracelet / BR V3-94 A521 SCA carbon-effect blue and black calfskin strap
• Price: £3,600 (Leather), £3,750 (Bracelet)
• Availability: Limited to 500 pieces worldwide 

The Bell & Ross Alpine Racing BR0394-A521/SRB watch

The new Bell & Ross Alpine Racing BR0394-A521/SRB watch is decidedly more masculine. Featuring the famous circle within a square profile, the stainless steel case has once again been finished with a mix of polished and satin-brushed finishes but features the industrial-inspired screws bolted onto the corners of the square-shaped case. The front and back are again, fitted with sapphire crystal glass and the watch is powered by the self-winding CAL.301 movement.

The Arabic numerals around the hour track of this Bell & Ross BR V3-94 A521 watch are treated with luminous material as are the hands. All elements stand out with a great degree of legibility against their black backdrop. Again, injections of blue colour against silver and black accents enhance a truly sporty feel, with classic push buttons located at 2 and 4 o’clock flanking the screw-down crown with an accompanying crown protecting guard. Instead of the date resting at 4:30, as seen in the other two models, this watch provides a square date aperture at 6 o’clock, framed by the distinct blue tachymeter scale around the flange.

To complete its distinguishable sporty look, this square-shaped Alpine Racing BR V3-94 A521 SRB watch wraps comfortably around the wrist like a second skin thanks to a supple black rubber strap. The satin-brushed and polished steel folding clasp is adorned with an engraving of the BR logo, completing this Bell & Ross Alpine watch perfectly.

Specifications:

• Case: 43mm – satin-brushed and polished – circle within a square design – 100-meter water-resistant – sapphire crystal glass front with AR coating – sapphire crystal glass caseback – black anodised aluminium bi-directional rotation bezel with 60-minute scale
• Dial: Black – metal skeletonized hands – SuperLumiNova treated hands and indexes – blue chronograph dial – 30-minute counter at 9H – small seconds at 3H – blue tachymeter around flange – date at 6 o’clock
• Movement: BR CAL.301 – self-winding – 28,800 v.h.p – 42-hour power reserve
• Strap: Black rubber strap with folding buckle
• Reference: BR V3-94 A521 SRB
• Price: £5,400
• Availability: Limited to 500 pieces worldwide