BY HARLAN CHAPMAN-GREEN
Bell & Ross is known for its sporty tool watches that are square rather than round watches, although it does also make round ones (does anyone buy those?). The BR-05 blurred the lines between the square pilot watches and the round watches that Bell & Ross makes and is perhaps the current most important watch of their lineup, although I’m sure the BR-03 Chronograph will have something to say about that.
I tested a BR-05 last year, and, as I’ve said before, the review became one of the most popular of the year. All of us at WristReview were surprised by just how much you guys loved the chunky bracelet and case, and we loved the amount of discussion going on in the comments section.
The newest watch, the BR-05 Skeleton Golden, follows the popularity of previous BR-05 models with a limited edition run of 500 watches. Each of these watches comes with a 40 x 40 x 10.33mm stainless steel case. In my experience, the watch wore a little bigger than the dimensions suggested, but it was still comfortable and classy. Water resistance is 100m.
Each watch also has a gold-toned dial, with a sapphire crystal providing gold colouration to the skeletonised movement. This is not a gold movement, though. It’s still rhodium plated. The hands, markers and inner flange ring are gold plated, though, which makes them stand out over the skeletonised dial. For this version, the date wheel has been removed.
Inside and on display at all times is the BR-CAL.322, which starts life as a Sellita SW300, which has a 4Hz beat rate and 40-hour power reserve. It’s also visible through the back.
Bell & Ross is selling these in two different formats. On a brown textured rubber strap, the watch costs €6,900. For the solid stainless steel version, the price will be €7,400.
Visit Bell & Ross here.
