There is something about the combination of cold steel and shimmering gold that is truly mesmerising. Since the the two materials began to be melded in the 1970s, we’ve been captivated by their contrasting yet complementary colours, which are especially fitting in the urban landscape.
Bell & Ross captures those enthralling and lustrous qualities in their new BR 05 Grey Steel & Gold Chrono.
An Urban Powerhouse
The BR 05 collection, which debuted in 2019, embodies the Maison’s guiding principles of readability, functionality, dependability, and precision while also delivering a distinct urban style. The case’s lines are a combination of round and square shapes, evoking the geometric figures that distinguish the Bell & Ross brand.
The construction of the BR 05 Grey Steel & Gold Chrono goes beyond the rigour of the square, while also transcending the perfection of the circle, defining its own shape and personality. It captures the city’s energy, rhythms, and richness with its assertive style and powerful wrist movement. The BR 05 Grey Steel & Gold Chrono is a timepiece designed for urban explorers.
Steel & Gold: The Ultimate Combination
The contrast of gold and steel is the ultimate combination of performance and elegance, and it never fails to entice lovers of sophisticated watches. And Bell & Ross’s new timepiece combines ruthenium and rose gold.
In the 1970s, particularly in the United States, watches made from a combination of gold and steel, including their metal bracelets, were very popular. This trend played an important role in the sport-chic style’s long-term popularity. For Bell & Ross, adapting their urban and sporting BR 05 watch to this style was a natural and obvious decision.
Characterised by a strong stylistic identity, Bell & Ross has always wanted to define its own aesthetic. The new BR 05 Grey Steel & Gold Chrono perfectly embraces this distinct character by combining materials and colours.
Masterful Architecture
The 42mm water-resistant-to-100m case is machined from steel with satin finishes and polished to amplify the architecture of its lines. The bezel and the central links of the integrated bracelet are in 18k rose gold. The graphic effect is enhanced by the grey ruthenium dial with metallic reflection obtained by galvanization, with a three o’clock counter indicating the chronograph minutes and another at nine o’clock displaying the small seconds, with a window placed between 4 and 5 o’clock displaying the date.
The white hands and indexes, coated with luminescent material, further enhance the contrasts and the play of light while ensuring perfect legibility of the hour, minute, second, date, and chronograph functions. The outlines of the counters and the markings 12 and 6 in the distinctive Bell & Ross typography, affixed to the dial, are all in gold.
Another notable feature is the profile of the winding crown and chronograph pushers, which form a continuous line that extends into the case, adding an extra elegant touch. The BR 05 Grey Steel & Gold Chrono eliminates the unnecessary and focuses on what is most important.
Peerless Precision
At the heart of the BR 05 family, the new Grey Steel & Gold is part of the range of chronographs and features the BR-CAL.326 self-winding mechanical movement. This robust calibre, which has been thoroughly tested and reworked by Bell & Ross watchmakers, demonstrates exceptional dependability and efficiency in all aspects of modern life.
It oscillates at 28,800 movements per hour and has a 60-hour power reserve, which ensures stability and precision. Its rotor, visible through the glass caseback, is a finely skeletonized whole disc—a signature of Bell & Ross self-winding movements. Refined, sophisticated, and highly contemporary at the same time, this urban chronograph exudes extraordinary aesthetic appeal.
The Timepiece For All Occasions
Though it is typically seen with its two-colour steel and 18k rose gold strap, that does not mean that the BR 05 Grey Steel & Gold Chrono is reserved for formal events. As mentioned earlier, this timepiece is designed for the urban traveller, the BR 05 Grey Steel & Gold Chrono lets users swap the traditional metallic for a breathable rubber strap, letting those travellers choose how they’d like to explore the concrete jungle.
