Bell & Ross: BR 03 AeroGT
29 June 2016«Every year, in order to create new models, I need new sources of inspiration,» admits Bruno Belamich, Bell & Ross creative director. «Following the success of our B-Rocket motorbike in 2014, I wanted to go even further and design the Bell & Ross car. The aim was to produce a car that can ‘hold its own’, even amongst automotive professionals. But above all, this real challenge was a great joy,» remembers the designer. «The AeroGT concept car was the starting point for the creation of a new pair of watches inspired by the automotive world – the BR 03 AeroGT models»
«Both the BR 03 AeroGT watches and the AeroGT concept car are ultra-technical and high-performance,” assures our creative director. The design studio created two variants: a chronograph embodying the very essence of the «automotive watch» and a more classical three-handed watch. These watches feature a steel case that recalls the fuselage-style body of the AeroGT project. For even greater strength, the designer boosted the proportions and shapes of these models to give them a sportier and more streamlined look. Their crowns are made using red aluminum, an extremely light alloy often used in sports cars. Their open-worked dials are formed from layers to give them an intriguing impression of depth. Meanwhile, the skeletonized mechanism of these BR 03 AeroGT watches has been designed to allow a glimpse through the movement while making them lighter. This reduction work can also be seen in racing cars. For these watches, the aim was to highlight the sophistication and beauty of the watch motor. The AeroGT concept car also allows its mechanics to be admired, which are housed under a smoked glass window.
BR 03-94 AEROGT
A direct expression of the AeroGT concept car, this very contemporary-looking chronograph watch is the archetypal driver’s watch. Its mechanism is devoted to measuring short time intervals. The skeletonized dial features metal hour- markers. The two chronograph counters on a grey-tinted crystal display the hours and half hours. Meanwhile the large hand at the center of the dial shows the seconds. The whole is completed by a tachymeter scale. This watch function is used in particular to calculate the speed of a car. To ensure continued good visibility, even when driving at night in a downpour, the hour-markers and hands are coated with photo luminescent material. Also to improve legibility, the hands of the chronograph are red-cultured. The aluminum start push-button is also painted red to encourage action. A date function can be found at 3 o’clock.
BR 03-92 AEROGT
In the wake of the AeroGT, this three-handed version is also powered by a skeletonized mechanism. It presents a central hour, minute and seconds display. The seconds’ hand is cultured red, as is the small fixed triangle indicating 12 o’clock. The latter recalls the dashboard counters of GT sports cars.
These two versions feature black quilted leather straps reminiscent of luxury car interiors. Their micro-perforations and red topstitching recall the seats of the best sports cars.
