Bell&Ross: BR 03-92 HUD

Bell & Ross goes back to its origins in high performance military instruments with a new interpretation of its iconic watch, the BR 03-92 HUD.

Its Instrument collection is inspired by the aeronautical essential navigation tools of aircraft cockpit and highlights Bell & Ross’ four fundamental requirements: legibility, functionality, precision and water-resistance. 

Fully in line with this collection, the new BR03-92 HUD gets inspiration from the displays of fighter jets equipped with the most cutting-edge technology. 

Head Up Display

The Head Up Display, also known as HUD – is a transparent glass screen that displays all information that is essential to fulfill a mission in the pilot’s visual field. For optimal effectiveness, its primary function is to keep the pilot focused on the target ahead without having to take the eyes off their line of sight. 

Considered as both technological and safety equipment, the HUD takes on the augmented reality concept. With HUD displaying digital data onto the windshield, pilots can be alerted about everything from the horizon line, altitude or speed to navigation aids such as the flight path vector – indicating the direction the jet is taking. 

The design of the BR03-92 HUD embodies the spirit of Bell & Ross’ Instrument watches, as a contemporary style, the black matte 42mm ceramic case features the iconic “circle in a square” that evokes the silhouette of an aircraft.

Innovative Display

Arranged in tiers, the BR03-92 HUD is built around superimposed levels. This technical construction was thought and conceived by the designers to create an overlay that echoes the real HUD Instrument.

Thus, the concept of Augmented Reality adapted to a timepiece hinges on 3 layers.

The Sapphire Crystal

On the upper level, the green-tinted sapphire crystal gives the illusion of the digital HUD-type display, using the surface of the disc dial and that of the crystal. 

4 brackets are printed on the reverse of the crystal, reminiscing the 4 corners of the HUD line of sight. 

The Hands

On the middle level, the black and green hands reveal the minutes and seconds. 

The hand’s center parts were purposely hidden to further increase the digit analogy and the legibility principles of professional aeronautical instruments. 

Hour Disc And Dial

On the lower level, the hours are indicated by a green triangle marker which appears in the center through an independent concentric disc which is not graduated. 

This ultra-light disc was developed to ensure that neither accuracy nor power of the watch were reduced. Furthermore, the disc needs to be sufficiently resistant so as to not become deformed from risk of any friction. Small date at 4.

Legibility

There is more than meets the eye to obtain this uncompromising result. Some special coatings are worth noting on this timepiece. 

By using the green color, Bell & Ross recreates the graphic style of this Instrument as closely as possible. The green on the dial mirrors the «computer- type» display of the HUD, and the cases anti-reflective matte black background provides a striking contrast. The sapphire crystal is tinted and obtained through a green pigment coating technique that is applied on its underside.

To provide an intense green light, hours numerals, indices and triangle as well as the minute-circle and hands are coated with green Super-LumiNova® C3 treatment. The latter is also applied on the 4 brackets underneath the crystal. 

Thanks to its augmented display design, the BR 03-92 HUD offers watch aficionados a new perception of time by liberating them from the conventional manner of displaying time. 

By magnifying specificities and singularity, the BR 03-92 HUD is produced in a limited edition of only 999 pieces. The watch is completed with both a black rubber and an ultra-resilient black synthetic fabric strap. (Price € 3.700)