Bell & Ross is a watchmaker that is still considered relatively new to the industry. Founded in 1992 the manufacturer brought functional and reliable timepieces to the wrists of professionals and connoisseurs alike. The vision was shared by its founding members, Bruno Belamich (Bell) and Carlos A. Rosillo (Ross) and has drawn inspiration from the aviation industry in a strong way since its birth. The French brand began tailoring watches to military specifications, enabling it to stand out amongst its peers.
Landmarks throughout Bell & Ross’ history include its earlier Space 1 model which became the first automatic chronometer to be worn in space, as well as the iconic Bomb Disposal Type, which offered an anti magnetic case and unbeatable precision. Just a few years later the Bell & Ross Hydro Challenger was released, geared towards professional and amateur divers. Not only did this expertly engineered diving tool promise a distinct, well balanced aesthetic but it also gained itself a position in the Guinness Book of World Records having boasted a staggering 11,000 meter water resistance. For many years the luxury watch brand has assisted elite units in creating timepieces specifically designed to provide special functions, having been subject to rigorous performance and reliability tests inhouse. From the onset, Bell & Ross operated under one simple and memorable maxim: “function shapes form”. Today, these principles are still upheld in the company’s La Chaux de Fonds watchmaking facilities in Switzerland.
Today many Bell & Ross watch collections pay homage to timepieces that have assisted military personnel on dry land, underwater and in the air from a bygone era. These include Second World War fight instruments, First World War Pocket watches and 1960’s instrument panels. Despite being a strong competitor within the modern watch world, Bell & Ross create wristwatches strongly influenced by the robust tools it once provided to professionals in the past.
Three Bell & Ross watch collections continue to dominate the company’s range. The Vintage, Marine and Aviation families. Perfectly optimized to suit a specific wearer in mind, each of these collections has its very own distinct look and a set of specially developed functions to assist with a particular field of expertise. Within the Aviation watch collection sits the Bell & Ross BR watches which were first released in 2005. These aeronautical instruments have squared off cases that range from an unimposing 39mm diameter (BR-S) to a much broader 46mm (BR01) making them accessible for both male and female collectors. The BR03 sits in the middle with a wearer friendly size of 42mm.
Legible dials and decompression valves are integrated into designs belonging to the Bell & Ross Marine watch collection. Perfectly suited to low-light conditions, these diving watches, which include the 500 meter water resistant chronograph editions and the 1000 meter water resistant automatic models, are perfectly adapted to facing extreme conditions experienced deep underwater.
The Bell & Ross Vintage watch collection is inspired by pilot’s watches from the 1940s. Satin finished cases and natural leather straps give these wristwatches a retro edge, combined with reliable movements that keep track of every passing second whilst soaring thousands of feet in the skies.
Bell & Ross watches continue to celebrate decades of watchmaking expertise. The company’s production facility in La Chaux de Fonds is where every watch is conceived, fine tuned and assembled by expert hands for the likes of bomb disposal units, pilots, divers and astronauts.
