Bell& Ross

Bell & Ross started in 1992 by two friends, French designers Bruno Belamich and Carlos A. Rosillo, came up with their first watches, the proud result of a collaboration with a German watch manufacturer, Sinn. Sinn was also an expert in dashboard meters. Seventeen years later, this heavy influence of board instrument technology has resulted in the successful Bell & Ross brand, synonymous with wristwatches used by professionals in extreme conditions.

By establishing a strong identity of an efficient chronometer, Bell & Ross watches were quickly adopted by NATO, the Air Force, the French security service's bomb disposal squad, divers, and other professionals in such exacting situations.

The Space One, Hydro and Hydromax were created, the with the latter boasting hydraulic fluid within the case to counteract external pressures, offering absolute reliability in water depths to 11,000 meters, a feat during that time. They also successfully revived the aviator watches that experienced a drought in demand after the 60s.

In 1998, Chanel Horlogerie bought into Bell & Ross, a shrewd move that resulted in Bruno Belamich's team having more free rein to develop complicated and different designs while keeping to the brand's fundamentals. In that same year, Bell & Ross came up with the Space Three chronograph, featuring all of the brand's technologies by having a screwed-down telescopic retractable winding crown that enabled full integration into the case.

2001 saw modern multifunctional men's watches coming into style, with analog and digital displays. The next year, Bell & Ross' first jumping hour hand watch with an automatic movement and power reserve indicator, the Vintage 123 Heure Sautante was born. The partnership with Sinn ended in 2002. Since then, the brand has its headquarters in Paris, while still tapping on the great Swiss watchmaking technologies by ensuring the watches are developed, manufactured, assembled and regulated in Switzerland's La Chaux-de-Fonds.

2009 main eye-candy, the Commando, is less technical than the predecessors like the BR01 Instrument or the BR Instrument Minuteur Tourbillon, but still pleases Bell & Ross' fans with its unassuming functionality. The DLC (diamond-like coating) stainless steel case is designed with military personnel in mind, for the zero light reflectivity allows low visibility to enemy soldiers. The inconspicuous gray colour scheme allows easy blending into camouflaged uniforms as well.

High technology combined with watchmaking excellence, that is how Bell & Ross' watches continue to be sought after by adventure-seekers.

Range of Bell & Ross watches:

BR 01-92 Heritage
BR 01-97 Commando
BR 01 Airborne
BR 03 Type Aviation
BR 01 Tourbillon Phantom Gold