A watch that keeps you on course
Bell & Ross, the renowned watch designer, presents their latest masterpiece, the BR 03 Gyrocompass, featuring an iconic aeroplane cockpit dial. This timepiece is a captivating tribute to aviation enthusiasts.
The striking black dial of the BR 03 Gyrocompass proudly showcases a fighter plane silhouette at its center, leaving no room for ambiguity. With this limited-edition creation, Bell & Ross pays homage to its cherished realm: aeronautics. The watch’s appearance faithfully embodies the technical design found on a pilot’s instrument panel in an aircraft, adopting the graphic elements recognized by professionals as a course indicator. This pivotal dashboard component holds paramount significance: at a mere glance, it provides pilots with their heading, allowing for swift adjustments based on a magnetic compass if needed. By immersing wearers in the authentic cockpit experience, Bell & Ross remains unwavering on its aviation course.
The BR 03 family holds a central position within Bell & Ross’s collections. Since its introduction in 2006, this concept has been a showcase of the watchmaking Maison’s complete prowess, taking the key elements from an aircraft’s instrument panel and reimagining them for the wrist.
In a fresh interpretation this year, the iconic rounded square design of the BR 03 series now boasts a 41mm case, introducing new proportions to the lineup. The BR 03 Gyrocompass, also available in this updated size, features a sleek black ceramic case, measuring a mere 10.6 mm in thickness, and is water-resistant up to 100 meters.
As a part of the celebrated Flight Instruments collection, which was first introduced in 2010, this timepiece possesses a strong and distinctive character. It elegantly transforms an aeronautical navigation instrument into a watch design, showcasing both form and function seamlessly. The watch’s rugged finish draws inspiration from aeronautical equipment, and the black rubber strap securely fastens with a steel pin buckle that has a black PVD coating, emphasizing the professional nature of this limited-edition timepiece, with only 999 pieces available.
Increased readability by day and night
The display of the new BR 03 Gyrocompass has been meticulously crafted to ensure impeccable practical legibility under all conditions, whether it’s day or night. The prominent fighter plane silhouette immediately captures one’s attention. Notably, the tip of the aircraft’s nose aligns precisely with the indices, enabling wearers to read the time with utmost precision. This innovative approach was initially introduced by Bell & Ross in 2013, by relocating the numerical markings to the outer edge, timekeeping becomes effortlessly intuitive.
In addition to the hour hand, the generously sized minute hand features a prominent white arrow, reminiscent of a pointer. Sleek and highly accurate, the central second hand introduces an engaging kinetic visual effect with its substantial counterweight, which continuously animates the dial, resembling the movement of an airborne plane.
The date feature, discreet yet practical, resides within a circular aperture positioned between the 4 and 5 o’clock positions. This placement ensures that the date remains unobtrusive yet readily accessible when needed, without disrupting the wearer’s ability to instantly discern the time, especially during fast-paced moments.
To guarantee its usability in low-light conditions, the watch incorporates an advanced luminescent treatment. The cardinal points, along with their triangular markers, are treated with Super-LumiNova® to emit a vibrant green glow. Simultaneously, the time indicators are accentuated by a distinct and easily recognizable blue luminescence. Meanwhile, the aircraft silhouette remains distinctive with its unique yellow hue, which also emits a green glow.
A celebration of mechanical excellence
Beyond the captivating visual aspect, this watch pays a respectful tribute to the intricate mechanical design of the aeronautical gyrocompass. For pilots, possessing precise knowledge of their location is paramount. Engineers have ingeniously devised the Gyrocompass, a system that, while visually straightforward, boasts an intricate mechanism capable of translating the aircraft’s position during flight into a vertical graphic representation on the dial.
It’s worth noting that the BR 03 GYROCOMPASS doesn’t house an actual gyrocompass but rather features a reliable watch movement, the BR-CAL.302 self-winding caliber. Operating at a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour (4Hz), it offers an impressive 54-hour power reserve. This timepiece is exceptionally suited for professional use, whether in aviation or on solid ground.
With its original and playful design, the BR 03 Gyrocompass adds a distinctive element to the collection of concept watches directly inspired by aviation instruments. With its one-of-a-kind display, the BR 03 is tailor-made for enthusiasts of design and aviation alike.
For more information, please visit BellRoss.com.
