Bell & Ross is a brand famous for its inspiration from aviation, with many of its watches being directly influenced by important aircraft instruments used by pilots. The BR 05 series — while definitely aimed at the modern city dweller — also taps into this inspiration, combining it with a sporty-chic “urban” aesthetic.
In the BR 05 GMT Sky Blue, the combination of these influences is more fully expressed, with the endless sky of flight and travel functionality blending perfectly with the style of the modern city, thereby paying homage to the vast blue sky above and the world beneath our feet. The new watch, launched early last summer, will be a highlight for Bell & Ross..
The BR 05 GMT Sky Blue embodies duality: catering to both travel enthusiasts and city dwellers, capitalizing on the brand’s “circle within a square” design and balancing sportiness with sophistication. Crafted with precision, the 41 mm brushed and polished steel case exudes style that is both premium and durable, displaying this duality on the wrist, with four screws on the bezel and bracelet. Integrated H-joint steel arms add to the style. On the watch side, there are two delicate guards protecting the screw-in crown, with a watertight seal helping the watch maintain its water resistance to a depth of 100m ready for use.
Beneath the sapphire crystal, a mesmerizing sky-blue sunburst dial takes center stage. Applied and Super-LumiNova indices are found at most of the hour markers, with Bell & Ross’ signature Arabic numeral font used at the 6, 9 and 12 o’clock positions, while the date window Suitable for operation at the 3 o’clock position. hour.
Above, the brand’s familiar trio of hours, minutes and seconds indicates running time, while an additional two-tone GMT hand provides the watch’s eponymous additional function. Then, along the outer edge is another two-tone detail in the rhodium-plated and sky-blue 24-hour flange, which adds contrast while also aiding in tracking a second time zone.
Beneath the dial is the Bell & Ross BR-CAL.325, a self-winding mechanical movement based on the Sellita SW-330. The movement has a power reserve of 42 hours, runs at a frequency of 28,800 vph and allows for quick setting of the GMT hand independent of the hour hand. The movement is specially finished for the brand, displayed complete with its signature skeletonized rotor through a small sapphire caseback.
The Bell & Ross BR 05 GMT Sky Blue is available on a stainless steel strap or on a blue rubber strap that matches the dial, with the former priced at $5,500 and the latter at $5,000.