Introducing the Bell & Ross BR-X5 Carbon Orange Limited Edition

The new Bell & Ross BR-X5 Carbon Orange watch is a limited edition model of just 500 pieces worldwide and extends the BR-05 collection. Its multicomponent case construction fuses the lightweight and durable qualities of titanium and carbon to create an ergonomic sports watch clad in stealthy black and orange tones, complete with a supple orange rubber strap and a new dial layout.

Parisian watchmaker Bell & Ross began branching out into the sports watch category a few years ago. Before then, the company had been upholding a global reputation for creating expert military and pilot-inspired wristwatches. It embarked upon the new venture to create steel sports watches with a difference by unveiling the BR-05 watch collection in 2019. The series featured the iconic circle within a square shape but offered a myriad of useful features that ticked all the boxes to quality for a sports watch with incredible style. These features included a robust stainless steel case, a legible dial, a reliable automatic movement and a sufficient water-resistant rating, not to mention a stylish and incredibly robust stainless steel integrated bracelets. Now, as an extension to the Bell & Ross BR-05 line, the new BR-X5 watch has arrived. The first two releases we covered here and here were the shimmering ice blue variation and the more conventional-looking black dial iteration respectively. Both models come on a choice of an integrated stainless steel bracelet or a supple blue or black-coloured rubber strap to match the colour of their respective dials. In addition to these two new core range watches is the new BR-X5 Carbon Orange watch.

Complete with a lightweight titanium centre and a surrounding black carbon fibre external case the new Bell & Ross BR-X5 Carbon Orange limited edition watch is exclusive to just 500 pieces worldwide and has been inspired by Formula 1 cars and fighter planes. Designed in a similar way to the two core range Bell & Rosa BR-X5 watches, the next generation of the BR-05 series is clad in stealthy black and zesty orange hues. Amongst some of its key features are a new movement developed by Kenissi, a case shape that pays homage to the brand’s aeronautical heritage with its striking circle-within-a-square profile, a large smoked sapphire crystal glass caseback, a multi-material case construction and a newly designed dial. Let’s break the features of the new Bell & Ross BR-X5 Carbon Orange watch down one by one and take a look at each one in more detail.

The multi-material case

The multi-component case construction of the new Bell & Ross BR-X5 watch is worth a mention. Jean‑Paul Suchel, Technical and Production Director at Bell & Ross explains that the new architecture is: “Two carbon fibre plates surrounded by the DLC titanium monobloc container housing the movement and integrating the shoulders of the crown”.

What this means is that the complex layering of the case is only exposed when you view the case from the side. The 41mm case features upper and lower inserts in matt carbon fibre, as well as a grade 2 micro-blasted titanium centre with a DLC finish. The fixed bezel is also crafted from titanium and features a crisp matte black carbon fibre bezel insert. A screw-down crown crafted from micro-blasted titanium helps ensure a water resistance of 100 meters, whilst the titanium caseback is fitted with a smoked grey sapphire crystal glass treated with anti-reflective technology. The front of the case is also sealed with this same scratch-resistant material but in a clear effect, protecting a sleek black dial that matches the black marbling effect of the rest of the design.

The new dial layout

The dial of the new Bell & Ross BR-X5 Carbon Orange Limited Edition watch features Super-LumiNova material applied to the surface of the model’s pill-shaped hour markers and legible central hour and minute hands. The central second hand is executed in a vibrant orange colour to match the hand of the power reserve indicator located at 9 o’clock. In addition to this, the orange flecks of detail are continued into the “100M / 325FT” water-resistant lettering at 6 o’clock. Other features on the dial include the model’s retrograde-style date aperture at 3 o’clock and the bold Bell & Ross logo and lettering at 12 o’clock. This new layout adds yet another layer to the diverse Bell & Ross BR-05 watch collection. The sporty tones of the dial are continued with a supple orange rubber band embossed with the bold Bell & Ross print.

The new movement

The avant-garde and daring design of the new Bell & Ross Orange Carbon BR-X5 limited edition watch is reinforced by a very functional and practical spec. The automatic BR-CAL-323 calibre is an important part of this spec. 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. Described as “weekend proof” the movement is also COSC-certified, demonstrating the high standards set by Bell & Ross experts. Its rapid date correction feature offers the freedom to carry out the adjustment of the date at any point in time without affecting the operation of the watch.

The takeaway

With its lightweight carbon and titanium material selection, the new Bell & Ross BR-X5 Carbon Orange Limited Edition watch remains strong, durable and comfortable on the wrist. These qualities are enhanced by the model’s orange rubber strap with a DLC-coated stainless steel folding clasp. The strap is also attached to two links that are independent of the rest of the case design for an ergonomic and seamless fit against the wrist.

If you’d like more information on the new Bell & Ross BR-X5 Carbon Orange Limited Edition watch, you can check out the model in more detail here or call and speak to a member of our sales team on 01335 453453 today.