Bell & Ross BR-03 Astro and Skeleton at Watches & Wonders 2025: ceramic, aventurine, luminescence

Описание: Bell & Ross presented two major timepieces at Watches and Wonders 2025 that highlight its signature blend of technical craftsmanship, conceptual storytelling, and aerospace-inspired aesthetics. The standout was the BR-03 Astro (limited to 999 pieces), a model deeply rooted in cosmic symbolism. Designed to resemble an observatory or a space station, this watch features a Martian hour indicator on a rotating transparent disc, a moon-shaped minute hand cleverly obscured by the Earth motif, and a satellite-themed seconds hand that orbits the dial. The stars are rendered using an aventurine dial, giving a glittering Milky Way effect. The Earth is laser-engraved and printed into a domed sapphire crystal from the inside, enhancing the illusion of a floating planet. The watch is built with ceramic, offering durability with a 3D effect, and limited to just 999 units. More details can be found at https://www.bellross.com

Functionally, the BR-03 Astro defies initial expectations—many viewers mistake it for an artistic object, yet it does tell time through its orbit-based hands. This conceptual model plays with the boundaries between horology and kinetic sculpture, echoing Bell & Ross’s commitment to alternative displays of time. The layout turns the wrist into a miniature space observatory, driven by narrative design rather than conventional legibility. The use of sapphire printing and layered discs highlights their capability in crafting complex visual depth without compromising utility.

Complementing the Astro was the BR-03 Skeleton Black Ceramic and the BR-03 Skeleton Black Lum Ceramic, marking the debut of a skeletonized model in the BR-03 collection. These pieces introduce a transparent tinted glass that enhances the blacked-out aesthetic of the exposed movement. The bridges form an “X” that anchors the four visible screws on the case, maintaining the architectural symmetry Bell & Ross is known for. Its open-worked dial features cutouts filled with luminous material, ensuring nighttime visibility while preserving the skeletonized effect. The case is made from matte black microlasted ceramic, a material reminiscent of cockpit equipment designed to eliminate glare and enhance performance under pressure.

Bell & Ross emphasized their focus on materials across their collection. While the brand works with titanium, forged carbon, and stainless steel, ceramic—particularly in its black microlasted form—remains central. This aligns with their philosophy of aviation-inspired design, where every detail supports function, visibility, and resistance. The choice of black ceramic directly recalls the non-reflective materials used in aircraft cockpits, extending their metaphor of the watch as an instrument.

The BR-03 Skeleton Lum Ceramic is limited to 250 pieces and currently in high demand. Its identity as a “full DNA” Bell & Ross timepiece is reinforced by its design continuity—the iconic square case with a round dial, luminous numerals, and stylized hands—making it both a technical object and a symbol of brand lineage. Unlike the Astro, this piece leans more toward mechanical transparency than conceptual storytelling, offering a clean yet complex view of the movement through subtly layered components.

Interviewed at the booth, Teddy, a sales representative from Bell & Ross, provided a brief company history. Founded by Bruno Belamich (the designer) and Carlos Rosillo (the CEO and business strategist), Bell & Ross is a Franco-Swiss brand deeply informed by aviation and military engineering. The core aesthetic of “round within a square” and the signature four-screw bezel mimics cockpit instruments. This design philosophy extends to their entire lineup, serving not just as stylistic identity but as a functional design language.

The BR-03 Blue Steel, worn by Teddy, represents Bell & Ross’s more traditional offering but still embodies the same DNA. With its high-contrast, legible dial and stainless steel case, this model reflects the brand’s consistent attention to legibility, robustness, and usability under extreme conditions. It acts as a foundational piece for the brand, providing continuity as more experimental references like the Astro and Skeleton Black Lum push aesthetic boundaries.

My full video coverage from Time for Watches Geneva is here:    • Watches and Wonders and Time to Watches 20...  

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