NEW: The Bell & Ross BR 01 Cyber Skull Bronze Watch
Wednesday - 01 February 2023
The new Bell & Ross BR 01 Cyber Skull Bronze watch is limited to 500 pieces worldwide and features a striking bronze-coloured Skull symbol at the centre of the dial, with a mechanical jaw that moves once wound by hand
Every true Bell & Ross fan knows that the company’s most emblematic models are those that occupy the circle-within-a-square space. These stealth instruments are disciplined and straight to the point, making them perfect go-to tools for pilots and military forces. But, since 2009, Bell & Ross has been enjoying unleashing its more daring and playful side with what is known as the Skull collection. Here, these watches are defined as “off-the-beaten-track” models. By affording the space and flexibility for an out-of-the-box watch every now and again, Bell & Ross can ensure it pleases its audience in all the right places. Since the Skull collection was launched, we have seen well over a dozen wristwatches bearing the brand’s skull and crossbones design. This symbol and the military are linked quite deeply, even stemming back to Viking Times as warfare symbolism. In particular, the skull was used in 1944 when on D-Day, American paratroopers revealed their skull-embossed uniforms as they landed on the French coast.
Following the first BR 01 Skull watch in 2009, we have seen multiple iterations including bronze editions, a tourbillon version, the 2016 Burning Skull “Tattoo” watch, and not forgetting the BR 01 Laughing Skull watch. New for 2023, Bell & Ross are releasing the BR 01 Cyber Skull Bronze watch. It marks the contemporary and niche space that Bell & Ross occupies in the realm of modern watchmaking with ten years of the Skull design under its belt. It takes on the same appearance of the popular Cyber Skull watch from previous years but features another striking bronze case that is sure to age and develop its very own character over time. The watch is limited to just 500 pieces worldwide and is expected to be snapped up by hardcore Skull watch fans of the brand.
The futuristic design of the Bell & Ross Cyber Skull watch, imagined by Bruno Belamich (Artistic Director for the brand) came about in 2020. It had a complex character – a personality that paid tribute to the ancestral Japanese art of folding, Origami. In addition to this, its design is also reminiscent of the angular fuselage of a stealth aircraft. Its sharp bevelled edges and distinctive corners create a unique design that has been enjoyed by many - old and experienced in the world of Bell & Ross watches.
The new Bell & Ross BR 01 Cyber Skull Bronze watch
The new BR 01 Cyber Skull Bronze watch has been described by the watchmaker as a very “rock and roll”-looking instrument thanks to its unique bronze patina. This bronze case is not a new thing, however. In 2015 Bell & Ross released the first bronze Skull watch named the BR01 Skull Bronze, shortly followed by BR 01 Skull Bronze Tourbillon just a year later. The Burning Skull Bronze watch was then released in 2017 – a derivative of the original Burning Skull model that introduced the 3D skull design, which now makes way for this new iteration.
Bell & Ross has incorporated the skull symbol into this new design in an avant-garde way having grown and nurtured this collection for 15 years. The case, crown and pin buckle are all forged from the material. The design combines horological expertise with tradition and function and is water resistant to 50 meters, featuring a square-shaped piece of anti-reflective and scratch-resistant sapphire crystal glass upon its front. Protecting the dial from damage, the glass also grants a glare-free view into the main timekeeping hands, which are crafted from gilt metal. The minute and hour hands have also been treated with a layer of Super-LumiNova. Taking centre stage on the dial and positioned inside an hour track characterised by stick markers, a rose gold-plated brass skull steals the show.
Accompanying this skull are a set of hands that are powered by the BR-CAL.210 hand-wound movement which has been used frequently throughout Bell & Ross’ broad online catalogue. Beating at 21,600 vibrations per hour, the movement produces an impressive power reserve of 100 hours and features a column wheel. This robust bronze case provides a stable environment for this movement and measures a broad diameter of 45.5mm. As seen in other models from the Skull range, the skull’s mandible is animated during the process of winding the movement by hand, which then performs a characteristic "laughing" movement. The feature is, without doubt, a spectacle to appreciate, rounded off perfectly by a black rubber band embossed with the Bell & Ross logo. The strap secures to the wrist with a bronze pin buckle fastening engraved with the B&R logo.
If you’d like more information on the new Bell & Ross BR 01 Cyber Skull Bronze watch for 2023, you can view the watch in more detail here, or call and speak to a member of our sales team at Jura Watches on 01335 453453
