From the onset, Bell & Ross has been strongly associated with functional watches created for military and aviation use. The emblematic BR 01 and BR 03 aren’t only celebrated for their bold “circle within a square” design, but also faithfulness to the brand’s principles: legibility, functionality, reliability and precision. In response to the ongoing discussion around introducing more urban variants, BR 05, which featured an integrated stainless steel bracelet, was unveiled last year. And more recently, the Bell & Ross BR 05 Chrono joined the collection.
This chrono iteration grows from the 40mm of the original BR 05 to 42mm in order to accommodate the considerably more complex display. Besides flaunting large Arabic numbers, the dial now also houses the snailed chronograph minute counter at 9 o’clock and small seconds at 3 o’clock.
The rectangular and angled pushers, crown-guard and crown form a single fluid piece which is perfectly incorporated into the stainless steel case. By blending fluidity and robustness, the continuity of the lines becomes a part of its identity. The BR 05 Chrono comes in either navy blue or jet black, and is available on both a rubber strap and an integrated bracelet.
Powered by the tried-and-tested BRCAL. 301 automatic movement, the overall design of the watch remains similar to the time-and-date version. The rounded square shape, the faux screws, the round aperture on the dial and the openworked rotor are also there. The satin-brushed and clean, polished finishing completes the watch with a refined and luxurious touch.
Find out more about the Bell & Ross BR 05 Chrono here. This story first appeared in the November 2020 issue of Men’s Folio Malaysia.
