Bell & Ross: Marine Instruments

Bell & Ross pays tribute to the naval world with its latest collection of Marine Instruments.

The timepieces designed for shipboard use, which were key to naval history, have inspired this collection. These three new watches offer a contemporary reinterpretation of those evocative tools that link together tradition and modernity, past and present.

The new Marine Instrument collection takes the essence of the legendary 18th century clock invented by John Harrison and scales it down to watch size.

The Marine Instrument collection is based on three specific models, authentic and sophisticated. The BR 01 INSTRUMENT DE MARINE in bronze, the BR-X1 SKELETON CHRONOGRAPH in itanium, rosewood and bronze and the BR-X1 TOURBILLON CHRONOGRAPH in rose gold and wood.

BR 01 INSTRUMENT DE MARINE

A faithful rendering of a ship’s clock as a wristwatch, this model is similar to the iconic BR 01 in its execution. The BR 01 Marine Instrument has a stylish, subtly retro design. This watch has a case, bezel and winding crown made from bronze. Only the case-back features more contemporary titanium. In a final touch, an elegant band of rosewood encircles the dial of the watch.

The dial pairs white lacquer, Roman numerals and fine blued steel hands, in tribute to the aesthetic of these 18th century instruments. The small seconds dial, with its delicate graphic layout, sits at 6 o’clock.

The mechanism selected is a hand-wound movement, as would have been used in this era. It has a central hour and minute display, with the seconds at 6 o’clock.
Finally, the power reserve, which, at 56 hours, is much greater than usual, is a tribute to long ocean crossings.

BR-X1 SKELETON CHRONOGRAPH

Bold and stylish, this chronograph is equipped with an automatic skeleton movement. This ultra-sophisticated mechanism can be admired through the sapphire crystal dial, which has a slight grey tint like the sea on a stormy day. It is paired with a minute track featuring Roman numerals and gilt applique indices, covered in SuperLuminova. The skeleton theme is continued with the gilt hands. The sophisticated case is a symphony of titanium, rosewood and bronze. It encloses the bezel, push-pieces, crown and crown protector.

The automatic caliber provides a chronograph function, small seconds at 3 o’clock and skeleton date at 6 o’clock. The chronograph minute timer sits at 9 o’clock. Stripped of hands, it takes the form of an aluminum disc with a design clearly evoking a ship’s propeller.

BR-X1 TOURBILLON CHRONOGRAPH

This prestigious version is housed in an 18-carat rose gold and wood case. In classic fashion, the central hands on the dial indicate the hours and minutes. Two gilt metal counter discs sit at 2 and 10 o’clock. The first is the 60-second chronograph counter, equipped with a 6 impulse per second sweeping hand. The second is the 30-minute chronograph counter, with its semi-instantaneous jumping hand. The gilt tourbillon cage sits proudly at 6 o’clock.

The skeleton work on the upper bridges allows a view of the exceptional chronograph movement that is triggered using the mono-pusher at 2 o’clock. A sophisticated hand-wound mechanism, the «flying» tourbillon has 282 minuscule constituent parts, and sits inside a delicate suspended cage. Unusually, it is tted on the main plate without an upper bridge. This means it appears to float.

This incredibly complex movement benefits from a colossal 100-hour power reserve, equivalent to 4 days, indicated by a hand (like a petrol gauge) set at 9 o’clock. The brand’s signature, the iconic «&», marks the seconds on the tourbillon cage.