The latest addition to Bell & Ross’ line up is probably their most visually striking yet. Not only does it feature the famously square case of their Instruments collection, but it also has a bold combination of red and bronze that is sure to turn heads. Engineered to the exacting standards of the Federation of the Swiss Watch Industry, ISO 6425, the Bell & Ross BR 03-92 Diver Red Bronze is certified with 300 metres of water resistance for those looking to conquer the depths. While most luxury watches are known for their elegant round curves, Bell & Ross embraces its trademark, unabashedly tool-ish, square aesthetics, making it a fantastic companion for the intrepid gentleman as he explores land and sea.
Bell & Ross made their mark on the world of horology with their introduction of the innovatively designed BR 01 in 2005. The watch’s square case was inspired by the dashboard instruments used in antique military aeroplanes, and led to the creation of the Instruments collection, arguably the most iconic series of watches in Bell & Ross’ catalogue. The Diver Bronze collection took the celebrated case and spruced it up, choosing to use a CuSn8 Bronze alloy in its construction rather than traditional steel. The eye-catching bronze alloy paid tribute to the divers of old as it was used to construct the first deep-sea dive helmets. This specific mix of 92% copper and 8% tin also has the added benefit of being able to develop a unique patina over time as it is exposed to time and the elements. The screw-down crown helps ensure the 300 metre water-resistance with an impact-resistant guard, while the rubber insert allows it to be handled easily when wearing gloves.
Complementing the bronze case are the red dial and bezel which gives the BR 03-92 Diver Red Bronze its name. The red colouration is the latest in this series, following the black (2018), green (2019), and blue (2020) editions. The unidirectional rotating bezel is made of the same bronze alloy as the case and is set with red anodised aluminium ring, complete with a 60-minute scale and lumed marker at 12 o’clock. The red-lacquered dial is adorned with large, gilded, applied hour markers and hands, fitted with Super-LumiNova® inserts for superior legibility under all conditions. The unassuming date window, located between four and five o’clock is a nice touch, staying out of the way until needed, without disrupting the circle of lumed hour markers.
Rounding off the casing is a thick sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating and a stainless-steel case back engraved with an antique deep-sea diver’s helmet. The more chemically inert stainless-steel was chosen due to concerns over hypodermic allergic reactions.
Within the watch’s outer case of bronze and steel, sits an inner cage, fashioned from soft iron. From within this iron cage, Bell & Ross’ automatic BR-Cal.302 movement powers the BR 03-92 Diver Red Bronze. Based on Sellita’s dependable Sw 300, the BR-Cal.302 has a power reserve of 38 hours and is protected from impacts and magnetic fields by the aforementioned iron cage.
The Bell & Ross BR 03-92 Diver Red Bronze comes stock with a comfortably sophisticated reddish-brown calf leather strap, which beautifully complements the bronze case and burgundy dial. The stock strap will serve users well in all kinds of situation, being easy to pair with different outfits. However, if one desires to put the diving capabilities of the watch to the test, Bell & Ross includes a woven rubber strap as well.
This stunning addition to Bell & Ross’ line of bronze dive watches was made in limited quantities with only 500 pieces available in Singapore, each retailing at SGD$6,300 on their online boutique. To purchase or find out more about this novel take on Bell & Ross’ iconic square-cased watches, head over to their website.
