Bell & Ross watches have developed their iconic image based on the instrument panels you would find in the cockpit of a plane. Here’s a look at the Bell & Ross BR03-92 Bi-Compass.
The branding of these instrument watches is based on four basic principles – legibility, functionality, precision, and reliability. They make bold tool watches which are easy to read in even the most difficult conditions.
The Bell & Ross BR03-92 Bi-Compass watch is built on the medium 42mm square case size, which is a sweet spot for most watch enthusiasts, compared to their larger case size of 45mm. At first glance, flieger enthusiasts will notice that it resembles a modern B-Uhr with the short hour hand inside the smaller concentric circle, and the longer minute hand going past the minute markers. But as you look closer, it resembles a radio compass of a military plane’s instrument panel.
The concept is the same as B-Uhr – to enhance the legibility of displaying time by displaying the hours in the center circle and giving minute hands the prominence on the main dial. Bell & Ross engineered a creative design to show the green triangle hour hand on an independent rotating disc. The disc is ultra-light to ensure the right friction for rotating accurately. Furthermore, they enhanced the legibility by making hour hand, numbers, and markers in off-white luminescent color, and minute hand, numbers, and markers with a more prominent green luminescent color. The date is also in the green color. When you look at the dial, your immediate attention goes to the minutes.
Since legibility is the prominent theme, the anti-glare crystal and the matte black dial makes it easier to read by absorbing the light and preventing any glare. The case is also ceramic matte black which not only gives it an instrument appearance, but it is also less prone to scratches when bumped by the economy class seat in-front.
The Bell & Ross BR03-92 Bi-Compass is powered by Sellita SW-300 automatic movement. It comes with a comfortable black rubber strap and a sporty fabric strap. The watch is water resistant to 100 meters.
Bi-Compass is limited to 999 pieces and retail price is $3,900. It will be available in April, 2019 and can be pre-ordered directly from Bell & Ross eBoutique.
Photo Credit: Bell & Ross