Bell & Ross BR-X5 Ice Blue Watch Review

The Ice Blue version of the new Bell & Ross BR-X5 watch is a truly unique and refreshing colour. Its lustrous shimmering icy-cool blue tones are accompanied by a new case construction and a new movement. Here’s a closer look at the new BR-X5 Ice Blue watch

The BR-05 watch collection by Bell & Ross is the manufacturer’s take on the steel sports watch. It steers away from the norm with its instantly recognisable circle within a square shape – a profile that the Swiss company has used affluently throughout its range of instrument panel-inspired timepieces. The BR 05 has all the traits expected of a steel sports watch. The models from the range feature anti-glare sapphire crystal glass fronts, clear, legible dials, integrated stainless steel bracelets, 100-meter water resistance, and reliable automatic movements. Bell & Ross has extended the line over the years to accommodate a GMT feature, a skeletonised model and a chronograph complication. Now the company releases an all-new design as an extension to this popular line. The BR-X5 features a new case construction that took years to develop, along with a new COSC-certified movement developed by Kenissi. The two 41mm models are presented in a rich black dial or an ice blue dial – each with an option to enjoy on a rubber band or stainless steel bracelet. Let’s take a look at the Ice Blue version…

The new Bell & Ross BR-X5 Ice Blue watch

The new Bell & Ross BR-X5 Ice Blue watch on a blue rubber band reference BRX5R-IB-ST/SRB shares the same spec details as the integrated stainless steel bracelet option reference: BRX5R-IB-ST/SST. Both models are powered by the new BR-CAL.323 movement developed by Kenissi. When in 2010 Tudor embarked on a new quest to increase the industrial production capacity for mechanical movements, it produced its own calibre and presented it at the 2015 Baselworld showcase. A year later it created the Kenissi company. Not only was the plan to oversee the production and development of Tudor’s own movements but also to offer its technical expertise to third parties. Bell & Ross has drawn on Kenissi’s know-how for the development of this new BR-CAL.323 movement.

Creative Director, Bruno Belamich shares insight into the importance of the new movement for the BR-X5; “While daring was the guiding principle throughout the creative stages, the notion of risk was banished from our vocabulary when it came to reliability and precision. With the BR‑X5, we wanted to push back the technical and aesthetic limits”.

The new BR-CAL.323 features a uniquely personalised oscillating weight, designed like a sports car rim, which can be admired through the back of the case. It also features a rapid date correction feature, a variable inertia balance wheel and operates at a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour, whilst delivering an impressive power reserve of 70 hours.

The case construction of the new Bell & Ross BR-X5 has taken hours and hours of painstaking research, experimentation and expertise. Its multi-layer construction comprises a hollowed middle barrel that reveals a highly resistant structure, as well as a sapphire crystal glass front and back that connect to the two main steel plates that make up the bottom and top of the watch. Running through the centre of these layers are four screws that form four columns, enhancing the solidity of the case structure. The watch is also 100-meter water resistant and features a crown protector that has been crafted from the same piece of steel as the case.

The shimmering ice blue sunray dial of this new BR-X5 Ice Blue watch is where the timepiece is brought together harmoniously. The proportions of the case and its slightly rounded corners are enhanced by the watch’s palpable icy-blue dial adorned with Grade X1 Super-LumiNova-filled hour markers and hands. The indexes are pill-shaped and are framed by a rhodium-plated trim. To the right of the dial is a date aperture presented in a retrograde style. The other side features a power reserve indicator. The three segments of the scale make for easy referencing when wanting to quickly track the autonomy of the movement. The minutes around the dial’s flange are presented in crisp black numerals. Reinforcing confidence is the 5-year warranty that the new Bell & Ross BR-X5 watch comes with. The model also comes complete inside a genuine branded presentation box for safekeeping.

If you’d like more information on the open-worked blue rubber strap version of the Ice Blue BR-X5 watch, complete with a stainless steel folding clasp, you can check out the details on the watch here. Likewise, the integrated stainless steel bracelet exudes a resolutely sporty look and can be viewed in more detail here, or you can call and speak to a member of our sales team at Jura Watches on 01335 453453

Technical specifications of the new Bell & Ross BR-X5 Ice Blue Steel watch

• Case: 41mm - height: 12.80mm – stainless steel – multilayer construction – hollowed centre – screw-down crown and crown guard – 100-meter water-resistant – watertight core – anti-reflective sapphire crystal glass front – sapphire-backed case – four screws drilled down into columns to enhance solidity – satin-brushed polished and micro-blasted finishes
• Dial:  Ice Blue – sunray finish – white elongated pill-shaped hour markers filled with grade X1 Super-LumiNova – central metal skeletonised hour and minute hands treated with Super-LumiNova – date scale at 3 o’clock – power reserve indicator at 3 o’clock – minute scale around the flange in black numerals
• Movement: BR-CAL.323 – automatic – developed by Kenissi – 28,800 vph – 70-hour power reserve – personalised oscillating weight – variable inertia balance wheel – oscillating weight designed like a sports car rim – viewable from a sapphire exhibition caseback
• Strap: Stainless steel – integrated – folding clasp / blue rubber – open-worked – stainless steel folding clasp
• Reference: Blue rubber: BRX5R-IB-ST/SRB / Stainless steel bracelet: BRX5R-IB-ST/SST
• Price: Starts from £5,990