Ever since 2019, lovers of sporty, integrated watches have been infatuated with the Bell & Ross BR 05 watch collection. The urban-inspired series began with a range of contemporary time-and-date only designs and a single, grey-faced skeletonised model, all with integrated square-shaped cases and bracelets beautifully fused together. The BR 05 Skeleton is the collection’s resident limited edition and has been launched in several colourways like the BR 05 Skeleton Blue in 2020, the BR 05 Nightlum in 2021 and the popular BR 05 Skeleton Green in 2022. Now for the new year, we’re welcomed to a new golden hued dial with the Bell & Ross BR 05 Skeleton Golden watch.
The Case
It is the dial of the Bell & Ross BR 05 Skeleton Golden Limited Edition watch that is new; for the case you can expect all the popular elements of the BR 05 series. The case is engineered from stainless steel and is beautifully sculpted into Swiss watch manufacturer’s iconic “circle-within-a-square” shape outlined by four polished screws at each corner. It measures to 40mm in diameter and a relatively thin height of 10.33mm with mostly brushed finishing. The case middle, which is discreetly underlined by two polished 45 degree bevels, is satin-brushed on both sides. The BR 05 Skeleton Golden watch is more than just a dress watch too, with sporty credentials including a screw down crown with lateral guards, a screwed down case back with anti-reflective sapphire crystal glass and a 100 metre water resistant rating.
The Dial
What changes in the new Bell & Ross BR 05 Skeleton Golden Limited Edition is the colour of the transparent sapphire panel which sits above the openwork dial. This time, reinforced with a galvanised golden flange, the display glows with a unique amber light, allowing the movement beneath to glow as if truly crafted from gold. Sitting above the honey-coloured panel is the large numerals, a household feature of Bell & Ross watches, baton-shaped applique golden indexes and two skeletonised baton-shaped hands. All of this hardware is coated in Grade X1 White 10 SuperLumiNova which glows with a green luminescence in the dark. The Bell & Ross logo is also printed above the golden sapphire plate in a similar shade of gold.
The Movement
Proudly displayed at the centre of the Bell & Ross BR 05 Skeleton Golden watch and cleverly subdued by its new golden surface is the BR-CAL.322 automatic winding calibre. The amber infused sapphire gives the movement a filter, blurring some elements and highlighting others. The plate and the upper bridge, both built in micro-blasted ruthenium, are showcased clearly with their linear and geometric formations while through the case back, you can admire the brilliant openwork architecture of the oscillating rotor. “We started from a good movement to create a beautiful movement”, states Bruno Belamich, co-founder and Creative Director of Bell & Ross, detailing the finishes of the self-winding Swiss Made calibre BR-CAL.322. The Swiss made calibre deliver hours, minutes, seconds and a power reserve of 38 hours.
The Strap
As usual, the Bell & Ross BR 05 Skeleton Golden watch is available on a choice of two straps. The first is an integrated brown rubber strap with horizontal grooving. The second is an integrated stainless steel bracelet with alternating polished and satin-brushed links to match the surface of the case. Both straps close by a traditional folding buckle. “The integration of the bracelet into the case is carried out according to the brand’s codes while at the same time bringing another dimension to the watch: the first link is part of the case. This type of design has been a reference since the 1970s and when we transpose it to Bell & Ross, we obtain a result that is both obvious and ergonomic”, says Bruno Belamich.
Price & Availability
The Bell & Ross BR 05 Skeleton Golden watch is a limited edition of 500 pieces and retails at £6,000 on a rubber band and £6,500 on the metal bracelet. You can secure a design for yourself on the Jura Watches website here or by contacting our team of luxury watch specialists. You can call us on 01335 453453 or send us a message at help@jurawatches.co.uk.
