Horologii

Bell & Ross BR 05 Copper Brown Watch Review

Bell & Ross return to the classic time-and-date only display for their next BR 05 watch, this time combining the sporty integrated architecture with a handsome orange-brown metallic sunburst dial. The result of the suitably named Bell & Ross BR 05 Copper Brown watch is a warm, autumn-suited look that makes us question why this colourway isn’t seen on more luxury watch designs.

It can be said with confidence that the Bell & Ross BR 05 watch collection has become yet another flagship in the brand’s already extensive portfolio of significant “circle-within-a-square” watches. Launched in 2019, the series began with a range of simple yet handsome three-handed watches with black or blue dials. Then over the last three years, we’ve seen in the introduction of BR 05 chronographs, GMT models and skeletonised limited editions dressed in dials of green, silver, white, brown and gold. Adding to its vast colour palette is the Swiss watch manufacturer’s latest edition, the Bell & Ross BR 05 Copper Brown, whose brilliant copper centre is guaranteed to attract those with a love of earthy, warmer tones.

Starting with the case, the Bell & Ross BR 05 Copper Brown watch delivers exactly what you’ve seen before. The familiar rounded square stainless steel case measures to 40mm in diameter and 10.3mm tall. The flat topped, four screw bezel is brushed on the face of it with polished bezels on its sides. To match, the case and short lugs are brushed and polished, the latter secured to either a brown horizontally grooved rubber strap or the gorgeous integrated bracelet. As you can probably guess, the stainless steel bracelet is our favourite. It’s slim thanks to the flat links and yet feels solid and imposing on the wrist, tapering down to a matching steel butterfly clasp.

The case of the Bell & Ross BR 05 Copper Brown watch continues to mimic its predecessors with a screw in crown at 3 o’clock protected by two screw down grown guards. This not only adds to the integrated aesthetic but ensures the crown is safe from any unwanted knocks and bumps. Above the autumn dial is scratch resistant sapphire crystal glass with anti-reflective coating for effortless legibility. The same glass material is used on the case back for a view of the automatic winding movement inside. The Bell & Ross BR 05 Copper Brown watch also delivers a water resistant rating of 100 metres.

It is of course the dial of the Bell & Ross BR 05 Copper Brown watch where things see a drastic change. Standing out from the more classic displays of black, blue or silver, Bell & Ross have chosen to experiment with a colour rarely seen in luxury watchmaking. Warmer than the popular salmon dial, the cosy and luxurious copper-brown hue is truly breathtaking shimmering slightly for its metallic application. Joining the autumn dial is a range of applied baton indices and three Arabic numerals for the 12, 6 and 9 o’clock markers, all adorned with luminescent inserts. The central hour and minute hands are also filled with glow in the dark Superluminova while the slim seconds hand is left simple and bare. Where the 3 o’clock numeral would be is a date complication which we’re pleased to report is coloured in the same shade of copper brown.

The movement elected to power the Bell & Ross BR 05 Copper Brown watch is the BR-CAL.321 automatic winding calibre based on the tried and tested Sellita SW 300-1. As mentioned, it is put on display through the sapphire crystal glass case back so you can admire some of its 25 jewels, sandblasted finishing and custom Bell & Ross skeletonised rotor. The movement also enjoys a frequency of 28,800vph, a 42 hour power reserve and a quick date and stop-seconds function.

The Bell & Ross BR 05 Copper Brown watch is not a limited edition, so will be joining the core collection indefinitely at a retail price of £3,800 on the rubber strap and £4,300 on the bracelet. If you’d like to learn more about the release and shop it for yourself, head over to 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: 40mm x 10.33
  • Case Material: Stainless steel
  • Bezel: Fixed
  • Glass: Sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment
  • Crown: Screw down with guards
  • Case Back: Exhibition
  • Water Resistance: 100 metres
  • Movement: BR-CAL.321 automatic winding
  • Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, date
  • Power Reserve: 42 hours
  • Jewels: 25
  • Frequency: 28,800vph
  • Dial: Copper brown with Superluminova hands and markers
  • Strap: Brown rubber strap or steel bracelet
  • Buckle: Folding
  • Limited: No
  • RRP: £3,800 (Rubber), £4,300 (Bracelet)
  • Reference: BR05A-ST/SRB (Rubber), BR05A-ST/SST (Bracelet)