Meet the Bell & Ross BR 03-92 Radiocompass Watch
Tuesday - 05 July 2022
The new Bell & Ross BR 03-92 Radiocompass watch for 2022 is limited to just 999 pieces worldwide and takes inspiration from the classic analogue display of radio compass instruments used for effective navigational flight control during the 1920s.
Modelling a watch on a vintage cockpit clock is not an easy thing to do. Despite this, Bell & Ross seems to do it with ease and has even managed to create a style of watch that is instantly recognised amongst luxury watch enthusiasts all around the world. The new Bell & Ross BR 03-92 Radiocompass watch is another example of such a design. Belonging to the Flight Instruments watch collection, which goes one step further than the brand’s original BR01 watch collection, these timepieces resemble actual flight instruments. Such examples include the Heads Up Display (HUD) watch and the Bell & Ross Red Radar Ceramic.
This new Bell & Ross BR 03-92 Radiocompass watch is inspired by the design of a radio compass, just as its name suggests. This onboard radio receiver is used in aircraft to guide pilots during the night or at times where reduced visibility is causing an issue with navigation. For this reason, the design of the hands in this new Bell & Ross watch is inspired by the analogue hands seen in radio compasses used to show the aircraft’s position and direction. Radio compasses are driven by strategically placed radio stations as opposed to using the earth’s magnetic field but have been used by seaplanes to target ships positioned up to 100 miles away. Despite this rather ancient navigation method, many planes flying today still use it as a simple and reliable tool.
The new Bell & Ross BR 03-92 Radiocompass watch
The case of the new BR 03-92 watch from Bell & Ross is crafted from matte black ceramic. It measures a very manageable size of 42mm and boasts the unforgettable square-shaped case surrounding a round dial. Sitting at a 10.4mm height on the wrist, the new Bell & Ross Radiocompass watch feels more compact than its larger 46mm siblings. The circle-within-a-square design mimics the style of a radio compass with exposed screws surrounding a legible display that perfectly nods to the brand’s favourite instrumental panel style. Protecting the surface of the dial is an anti-reflective and scratch-resistant sapphire crystal glass front, whilst the corners of the case are subtly rounded for a vintage-inspired vibe.
On the right-hand side of the case, a narrowed and knurled crown sits, emblazoned with the famous Bell & Ross monogram. The rest of the design is a matching stealth-like black colour, with a black rubber strap embossed with the company logo and a matching black PVD-coated stainless steel pin buckle. The feature that really steals the limelight in this unique Bell & Ross BR 03-92 Radiocompass watch, however, is the highly readable analogue dial. The Arabic numerals around the hour track are dressed in white for enhanced readability and have been finished in an isonorm typography seen in many technical charts throughout the 1980s. Interestingly, these numbers turn inwards around the dial, creating a traditional instrumental style. The minute track surrounding this section is also executed in white, framed by more Arabic numerals for the seconds.
Unique hands are used to present the time in the new Bell & Ross BR 03-92 Radiocompass watch. The black and vibrant orange hour hand is distinctly large, with an “H” upon its triangular tip to highlight its role. Narrower in shape is the central minute hand in a yellow inlay, adorned with an “M” symbol and an arrow-shaped tip. The black uncoated counterweight at the base of the vibrant green painted second hand is another unusual feature to the design. Super-LumiNova material is used for the key elements on the dial. A white glow illuminates the minute indices, the hours and the inverted triangle at the 12 o’clock location, whilst at night the minute hand glows green and the hour hand glows yellow with a green tip. This mix of striking Super-LumiNova colours really nails the unique aspects of this radio compass-inspired design.
Inside the black ceramic case of this 100-meter water-resistant, Bell & Ross BR 03-92 Radiocompass watch is the automatic Calibre BR-CAL.302. Its architecture is based on the ETA 2892, providing a 38-hour power reserve and beating at a rate of 28,800 vibrations per hour. It houses 25 jewels and sits behind a closed caseback stamped with the Bell & Ross name.
If you’d like to own one of the 999 Bell & Ross BR 03-92 Radiocompass watches available, you can call and speak to a member of our sales team here at Jura Watches for more details on 01335 453453
