A Tool for the Urban Collector – the Sleek Bell & Ross BR 05 Black Ceramic Watch
Sunday - 02 June 2024
The new Bell & Ross BR 05 Black Ceramic watch is stealth-like and cool-looking. Get yours here at Jura Watches today.
As we’ve discussed before, one style that Bell & Ross is running with at the moment is black ceramic. Recently we covered the Bell & Ross BR 05 Black Ceramic Skeleton LUM limited edition watch, which did a fine job of exposing all the beautiful finishes of its automatic movement through the dial side. The watch is offered in a standard version too with a black ceramic bracelet, and on a rubber band. Looking into this dial was quite the spectacle. The watch imparted a sense of depth and dimension with its layered mechanical artistry, all operating in synergy at once. But today, we’re going to look at another similar design - this time, without the skeletonised dial. Meet the stealthy Bell & Ross BR 05 Black Ceramic watch – a timepiece aimed at urban explorers.
The Alchemy of Ceramics
Although ceramic is becoming more mainstream in watchmaking, the complexity of the process must not be underestimated. The material is forged from the powdered sintering of metal-based and non-metal compounds. The powders are put into a mould and, a little like compacting a ball of snow in your hand, where snow particles fuse and melt under the heat of your palm, these powders are compressed using high-intensity heat. Ceramic is not the easiest material to work with in watchmaking, but it does offer plenty of benefits. The surface of the ceramic is entirely smooth and almost cathartic under the fingertips. Its beautiful sheen can be enhanced via a jewellery cloth and is almost entirely impossible to scratch. But matte finishes on a ceramic watch are also possible. This kind of detailing certainly gives a watch a more tool-like appearance and can be appreciated on the LUM Limited Edition watch.
Although Bell & Ross has used ceramics extensively in the past, never before has the material been used in the integrated sports watch design of the popular BR 05 watch collection until this year. These news models are monochromatic and stark. Suffice it to say that the “less is more” look certainly works for this design. Indeed, Bell & Ross knows exactly what it’s doing here. The muscular proportions of this watch unite naturally with this striking material, enabling these ceramic BR 05 watches to stand out in the collection with confidence.
Who Would Wear the Bell & Ross BR 05 Black Ceramic Watch?
Does this question really warrant a sensible answer? The Bell & Ross BR 05 Black Ceramic watch is going to appeal to anyone who likes sports and outdoor activities. The fact that the surface of the ceramic won’t easily scratch makes a ceramic watch ideal for adventures and rigorous pursuits. Yet the watch will also sit well on the wrist of anyone in need of a reliable, universally styled daily beater. The black tones of the ceramic will, of course, pair well with any attire. It neither looks too relaxed nor too sophisticated. One other advantage of the material is that it’s hypoallergenic. So, the Bell & Ross BR 05 Black Ceramic watch is great for anyone with a sensitivity to metals. Let’s not forget that collectors and fans of the BR 05 watch collection will be itching to get their hands on this model. That is, of course, if they haven’t already invested in the skeletonised version by now.
The Details You Need to Know About the Bell & Ross BR 05 Black Ceramic
Despite a trend for shrinking waistlines in the horological world, Bell & Ross has decided to slightly increase the dimensions of the BR 05 Black Ceramic watch. The watch now measures a diameter of 41mm and sits at a height on the wrist of 11.2mm. The reason for this is believed to be based on the fact that black wears smaller. This sleek model certainly has a slimming power and despite this increase in size, it wears very comfortably on the wrist. The rounded bezel inside a square-shaped case and the low profile crown guards are almost identical to all other models in the series, as are the short and angular integrated lugs. The slight widening of the case size, however, does allow for a more noticeable step effect between the bezel and the case. Bell & Ross also confirms that the ceramic used in this design goes through a unique dying process before being executed with a mix of polished and brushed finishes. The top of the case is fitted with a sapphire crystal glass front, which helps uphold a water-resistant rating of 100 meters, along with the crown.
The paddle hands and the rounded Arabic numerals, oversexed and prominent at 12, 6 and 9 o’clock, are all identical to the faithful BR 05 DNA. Lozenge-style indices make up the rest of the hour track – all of which have been treated with a generous coating of Super-LumiNova. Sending these distinctive hands around the dial is the BR-CAL.321 – a derivative of the Sellita S300 base. By performing at a rate of 28,800 vibrations per hour, accuracy is guaranteed. The movement also has the capability of a 54-hour power reserve. The integrated bracelet options are, however, the finishing touches to these models, completing them with their unmistakable aesthetic.
The Bell & Ross BR 05 Black Ceramic watch is available either on a black rubber band or a black ceramic bracelet with brushed and polished finishes to match the case. Overall, it seems that this black ceramic BR 05 watch is a grown-up and sleek take on the sporty design and is sure to appeal to those who haven’t yet dipped their toes into the realm of ceramic watches. If you’re an enthusiast looking for a watch in this style, Bell & Ross is one of the very few brands that do it so well. While the Skeleton Black LUM watch is only available as a 500-piece series, the standard skeleton model and this BR 05 Black Ceramic watch are part of the main range and can be purchased at Jura Watches today. Give us a call at 01335 453453 or email us at help@jurawatches.co.uk for more information.
