BR 05 SKELETON GOLD
October 19, 2021Bell & Ross announced a new version of its smaller square-shaped timepiece the BR 05 this week — in solid 18K pink gold.
Compared to the signature BR 01 or BR 03 cases, the BR 05 has a less boxy design with softer rounded corners and a smaller 40 mm diameter. The result is a watch that will wear well on a broader variety of wrist sizes.
The skeleton aesthetic coupled with the modernized case and pink gold are a great combination. The price is ambitious, though, considering that the BR 05 Skeleton Blue in stainless steel retailed for $6,900 at launch just last year.
The BR 05 does have 155 grams of 18K pink gold, which at the time of this article amounts to $6,580 in gold according to Coinapps.com. At a price of $23,700 on a rubber strap or $34,700 on an 18K pink gold bracelet, the prices being asked are ambitious. And Bell & Ross is clearly adding a significant markup.
Bell & Ross reinvented the aesthetic codes of contemporary watchmaking with the launch of BR 01, a distinctive and singular watch directly inspired by onboard flight instruments. A square case, a round dial, and one screw in each of the four corners… more than an original concept, the utilitarian design of this watch revolutionized traditional watchmaking codes. Over the years, this timeless timepiece has continued to evolve without losing its origins and strong identity. Being the ultimate reference in aeronautical watchmaking ever since, Bell & Ross launched – in 2019 – a tool watch for urban explorers, BR 05.
The BR 05 belongs to the family of watches with an integrated bracelet: the bracelet fuses with the case to create a unified piece. Since its launch, the BR 05 has already been adorned with gold on several occasions. Whether in a steel and gold version, or by combining gold with deep blue.
This year, like an ingot, the BR 05 is dressed entirely in rose gold to make the wrist of its wearer sublime. To amplify this precious look, it is in its skeleton line that Bell & Ross has chosen to embody this new model. When the 05 SKELETON turns into gold, the mechanism becomes a gem housed at the heart of its precious design.
Lovers of mechanical craftsmanship will be seduced by this exclusive edition of 99 pieces. The all-gold finish accentuates the monobloc aspect of the model. In total, 155 grams of gold make up the new BR 05 SKELETON GOLD.
The open dial features 18 ct rose gold gilded appliqué indices and forms a clear window through which the 18 ct rose gold-plated skeleton movement can be admired. The skeletonized hour and minutes hands are also gilded with 18 ct rose gold. For great legibility both at night and daytime, the white Super-Luminova® of the indexes and hands contrasts elegantly with the gold of the dial.
To highlight the sophistication of the mechanism and its functioning, the engineers at Bell & Ross have cut out the bridge and the plate in a graphic and refined style. The BR05 SKELETON GOLD is equipped with a BR-CAL.322 mechanism, wound by a 360° 18 ct rose gold-plated oscillating weight, open-worked to showcase the movement designed by Bell & Ross. The brand’s logo is metallized on the sapphire case‑back.
The 40 mm geometric watch, made of surfaces and angles, ensures the bracelet can adapt seamlessly to any wrist. Equipped with a satin-finished and polished 18 ct rose gold bracelet for a true jewel of masculinity look, or a black rubber strap that will lend this timepiece a sporty edge.
Like a gold ingot with a mechanical heart, the BR 05 SKELETON GOLD is a precious gem of advanced technology.