Bell & Ross Experiments with a Variety of Case Materials for its W&W 2024 Offerings

Luxury watches are often celebrated not only for their timekeeping abilities, but also for their craftsmanship and the materials used in their construction. Luxury watch cases are crafted from a variety of sophisticated and high-quality materials, each selected for its unique properties such as durability, aesthetics, and exclusivity. A combination of two materials not only enhances the physical properties and longevity of watch cases, but also allows designers to experiment with different visual styles and textures, thus catering to a variety of consumer tastes and preferences. At the ongoing Watches and Wonders in Geneva, Bell & Ross has showcased three novelties with distinctive case materials. Let's have a closer look at each of them. 

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BR 05 BLACK CERAMIC 

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Black ceramic used in watch cases is a highly valued material due to its aesthetic appeal and exceptional properties. The colour of ceramic materials does not fade over time because it's not merely a coating but is intrinsic to the material. This is particularly true for black ceramic, which retains its deep, rich hue without fading due to exposure to sunlight or effects of skin contact. At the ongoing Watches and Wonders 2024, the timepiece maker has introduced a trio of captivating models: BR 05 Black Ceramic, BR 05 Skeleton Black Ceramic, and BR 05 Skeleton Black Lum Ceramic in a square case measuring 41 mm.

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The BR 05 Black Ceramic and the BR 05 Skeleton Black Ceramic feature a satin and polished appearance. The BR 05 Skeleton Black Lum Ceramic features a matte finish produced by sandblasted ceramic, lending it a sportier and crisper appearance. A screw-down crown flanked by guards for protection is placed at 3 o’clock and sapphire crystal is spotted on both the front (with AR coating) and the caseback.

The dials highlight the fundamental differences among the three new references. The BR 05 Black Ceramic has a glossy black sunburst dial. Rhodium-plated skeletonized hands and baton indices, filled with white Super-LumiNova, give off a green glow in the dark. White-printed numerals accompany the hour markers at 12 o’clock, 6 o’clock, and 9 o'clock, while the aperture at 3 o'clock displays a white date on a black disc. The dial-side information is completed by the brand logo, automatic movement indications, and Swiss-made origin.In contrast, the BR 05 Skeleton Black Ceramic features a translucent, black-tinted dial with attached baton indexes filled with Super-LumiNova. The 12 o'clock position has a double index. The hands remain consistent throughout the series, skeletonized and luminous for hours and minutes, and rhodium-plated for seconds. Rhodium-plated movement components are discretely visible through the dial.

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The BR 05 Skeleton Black Lum Ceramic's semi-transparent dial is made of black smoked sapphire crystal. The applied indices have been coated with C5 Super-LumiNova, making them appear green in both daylight and low-light circumstances. The rhodium-plated skeletonized hands receive a touch of the same high-shine green luminescent material. Powering the time-and-date BR05 Black Ceramic is the automatic calibre BR-CAL.321-1 and the two Skeleton references employ the calibre BR-CAL.322-1. Both these movements have a common 54-hour power reserve. The BR 05 Black Ceramic and the BR 05 Skeleton Black Ceramic are permanent additions to the collection. They come with a matching bracelet and a black rubber strap, both connected with a steel folding buckle. In contrast, the BR 05 Skeleton Black Lum Ceramic is a limited edition of 500 pieces that includes an incorporated black matte ceramic bracelet.

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BR-X5 BLACK TITANIUM 

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Grade 2 titanium is a popular choice in the watchmaking industry due to its advantageous properties. It offers a unique combination of characteristics that makes it ideal for creating durable, lightweight, and aesthetically pleasing timepieces. Despite its lighter weight, Grade 2 titanium maintains a high strength-to-density ratio. The new 41 mm micro-blasted grade 2 titanium watch gets a square bezel, a crown with crown guards, a black dial with matte black hour and minute hands filled with white Super-LumiNova®, and a white sweep seconds hand. The case has a grey tint colour. 

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The dial houses a large date aperture at 3 o'clock and a circular power reserve indicator at 9 o'clock. The hour markers and the hands (other than the seconds) are covered with the SLN X1 type white luminescent material. The minute markers are displayed on the outer periphery of the dial. The new BR-X5 Black Titanium is powered by the BR-CAL.323 self-winding mechanical movement delivering a 70-hour power reserve. Turning the watch over showcases the sapphire see-through caseback with an oscillating weight. This COSC-certified watch is finished on a titanium bracelet or a black rubber strap with a micro-blasted titanium folding clasp.

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BR 05 CHRONO GREY STEEL & GOLD 

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Watches often use a variety of materials for both aesthetic and functional purposes. Two materials that are frequently deployed are grey steel and gold. The new 42 mm satin-finished polished steel and 18 ct rose gold-cased watch gets a stainless steel crown and crown guards, along with an 18 ct rose gold bezel with four screws. 

The dial with a ruthenium sunray finish gets rose gold gilded applique hour markers, and hour, minute, and central second hands, filled with white Super-LumiNova®, which emits a green glow. The dial has a 3 o'clock counter indicating the chronograph minutes and displays at 9 o'clock the small seconds, with a date window placed at 4:30. On the outer periphery of the dial, a 60-minute track can be spotted. BR is powered by BR-CAL.326, a self-winding mechanical movement offering a power reserve of 60 hours. Its  360° rotor is visible through the glass caseback; it is a finely skeletonised whole disc. Finishing the watch is a black rubber strap or a two-colour bracelet in steel and 18 ct rose gold, sporting a satin-finished and polished steel clasp.