For the first time, Swiss watchmaker Bell & Ross celebrates their partnership with the Alpine F1 racing team with their urban-inspired BR 05 watch collection. The brand has elected the chronograph variant of the sports watch, combining its integrated architecture with the blue livery of the motorsport team. Meet the new Bell & Ross BR 05 Chrono A523 watch…
Bell & Ross is best known for its association with aviation, creating cockpit instruments and pilot’s watches for military personnel. In more recent years however, the luxury watch brand has begun making their mark within the world of motorsport. They originally announced a partnership with the Renault F1 racing team back in 2016 and in turn released several special edition and limited edition watches in collaboration with the team. Then in 2021, the Renault F1 squad changed its name to the Alpine A1 team and so a whole new set of Bell & Ross A521 watches were launched. Over the last two years, the collection has continued to grow with each design boasting the bold blue attire as seen on the Alpine team’s attire. For the first time however, the collection introduces a design based upon Bell & Ross’ popular BR 05 integrated sports watch.
David Gendry, VP Sponsoring, Partnerships and Communications at Alpine speaks on the partnership: “When it comes to our partnership with Bell & Ross, our philosophy is one of style and performance. We work in a high-pressure environment where precision and performance are essential to deliver results. Wearing a Bell & Ross watch is not only a constant reminder of our goals, but also an integral part of how we achieve them: through precision, punctuality and reliability”.
Bruno Belamich, Co-founder and Creative Director of Bell & Ross, also adds: “This year, the BR 05 Chrono A523 completes the series of Alpine timepieces, subtly adopting its colour code while perfectly meeting the needs of the team’s drivers. But beyond style and colourways, above all, we are designing a tool that serves the driver: an ally at all times… The choice of chrono movement meets the needs of Team Alpine, who are of course measuring speed and sports performance. Bell & Ross conveys the Alpine identity in each of its designs through the colour code and logo.”
The Bell & Ross BR 05 Chrono A523 watch fulfils much of the same specification as previous BR 05 Chrono watches, reaffirming its sporty chic nature with a 42mm stainless steel case with integrated lugs and straps, a rounded square bezel and a flat chronograph pushers. The steel architecture presents alternate polished and satin-finished surfaces for elegant reflections of light and features a screw in crown with large crown guards and a screw down sapphire crystal exhibition case back for a 100 metre water resistant rating. The case also lies at 14.25mm in height.
It’s predominantly the dial of the Bell & Ross BR 05 Chrono A523 watch where the newness takes place. The dial is generously adorned in electric blue accents to honour the livery of the racing team. A blue tachymeter scale is added around the edge of the smooth black dial to pair with blue hands for the central chronograph seconds and 30 minutes totaliser. The two subsidiary dials for the small seconds and 30 minutes chronograph counter are outlined in recessed silver tracks, blending nicely together with the large silvered Arabic numerals and central hours and minutes hands with added Superluminova. Additional references to the Alpine F1 racing team are included to the central chronograph hand with its A-shaped counterweight and beneath the lettering for “Automatic Chronograph” at 6 o’clock, where the French flag is incorporated.
Powering the Bell & Ross BR 05 Chrono A523 watch is the self-winding mechanical BR-CAL.326 calibre with hours, minutes, small seconds at 9 o’clock, central chronograph seconds, 30 minutes counter at 3 o’clock and date functions. It also delivers 25 jewels, a frequency of 28,800vph and a power reserve of 38 hours. The Bell & Ross BR 05 Chrono A523 watch is completed by the iconic BR 05 integrated bracelet or a black calfskin leather strap with sporty blue stitching and lining. Both straps are completed by satin-polished stainless steel folding buckles.
The Bell & Ross BR 05 Chrono A523 watch is limited to 500 pieces and retails at £6,100 on the leather strap and £6,500 on the metal bracelet. You can learn more about this new release and order both models on the Jura Watches website here. Alternatively, get in touch with the team by calling 01335 453453 or send us a message at help@jurawatches.co.uk.
Specifications:
- Case Size: 42mm
- Case Material: Stainless steel
- Bezel: Fixed
- Glass: Sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment
- Crown: Screw in
- Case Back: Exhibition
- Water Resistance: 100 metres
- Movement: BR-CAL.326 automatic winding
- Functions: Hours, minutes, small seconds, central chronograph seconds, 30 minute counter, date
- Power Reserve: 38 hours
- Jewels: 25
- Frequency: 28,800vph
- Dial: Black with blue tachymeter scale and chronograph hands, Superluminova numerals and hands, A-shaped chronograph hand counterweight
- Strap: Black leather or integrated metal bracelet
- Buckle: Folding
- Limited: 500 pieces
- RRP: £6,100 (Leather), £6,500 (Bracelet)
- Reference: BR05C-A523-ST/SCA (Leather), BR05C-A523-ST/SST (Bracelet)
