Bell & Ross’s latest release, the BR 05 Chrono Green Steel stays true to the brand’s roots, but is designed for city looks with a stunning green dial and strap to match.
Bell & Ross are known for their aviation instrument design influence, creating pieces that look like they’ve pulled them straight out of a cockpit. However, with their latest release, the BR 05 Chrono Green Steel, the looks are much more contemporary and urban than vintage aviation in line with their BR 05 Urban line.
The BR 05 Chono Green Steel comes in the now iconic Bell & Ross ‘Round Square’ case, measuring 42mm and 14.25mm thick. Bell & Ross have given the new BR 05 satin-brushed surfaces which are perfectly flat, while accentuating the bevels which are high polished – giving the watch an element of sophistication for a sports watch.
The dial design and layout is typical Bell & Ross. The two “Squircle” sub-dials at 3 and 9 o’clock stand out with the silver outer ring or rounded square if you will, contrasting the deep green sunray dial. The 3 o’clock counter tracks the chronograph minutes whilst the 9 o’clock counter is the small seconds hand. And whilst colour matching, the inner segment of the sub-dials are circular grained and sunray finished as well, giving the dial more texture and depth.
The BR 05 has a colour matched date window between 4 and 5 o’clock, which on some models can look not quite right, or it makes the dial more busy and cluttered than it should. However in this instance, the small circular window combined with the colour matched date disk somehow blends in and is less intrusive than others on the market today. The applied indices and hands are all filled with Super-LumiNova®, so you’re covered for low light or night time legibility.
The new Chrono Green Steel has been designed to fit both an integrated steel bracelet, or alternatively, can be bought on an integrated style green rubber strap for about AUD $800 less than on the steel. When you compare the two variations, the green rubber strap does stand out and makes the green dial of the new BR 05 pop. The steel bracelet does however give it an overall pure steel sports look, and Bell & Ross have done a good job of giving it character and the ability to play with the light due to the large satin brushed links and high polish inner links.
“This design is a nod to a type of watch that first appeared in the 1970s. Transposed into the Bell & Ross identity, we were able to achieve a result that is at once clear, modern and graphic,”
Bruno Belamich, Creative Director of Bell & Ross
Bell & Ross have equipped the new Chrono Green Steel with the BR-CAL.326 movement, the chronograph movement at the heart of the BR 05 Chronograph range. With only 40 hours of power reserve, you could be forgiven if you feel this is lacking with many brands now giving you at least 65-70 hours. The BR 05 is also 100m water resistant with a screw-down crown, so it’s fine for those summer days spent in the pool or at the beach. All this is on display via the see through case back.
Final Thoughts
Overall, the BR 05 Chrono Green Steel is a good looking watch. The deep green dial with the contrasting silver hands, indices and sub-dial tracks all come together nicely, and the case design, whilst typical Bell & Ross has depth due to the combination of the brushed surfaces and polished finish on the bevelling and inner links of the steel bracelet.
Whilst you have a choice of purchasing with either the steel bracelet or green rubber, Bell & Ross should have included the rubber as part of the set. On the rubber the BR 05 is AUD $9,100, and on steel $9,900, however, the bracelet alone is $1,500, so if you’re wanting both, then get the steel and add the rubber and clasp combo for $640 more to save about $60. It seems more brands are now pricing their pieces this way so there’s not much saving on buying on steel then adding the rubber later.
The 40 hour power reserve is also a little lacking, given the standard these days is 48-70 hours, and at the near $10k price point, should be on the upper end of this scale. However, if it’s a daily wearer, then this won’t matter all that much. The Bell & Ross BR 05 Chrono Green Steel will turn heads, especially on the rubber, and will suit those wanting something a little different!
Reference: BR05C-GN-ST/SST (Steel) & BR05C-GN-ST/SRB (Rubber)
Specification:
- Size: 42mm x 42mm
- Case: Satin-finished and polished stainless steel with screw-down crown and crown guard
- Dial: Green sunray with applique indices filled with Super-LumiNova®. Satin-finished applique numerals and metal skeletonised Super-LumiNova®-filled hour and minute hands.
- Movement: Calibre BR-CAL.326. Automatic mechanical.
- Power reserve: 40hrs
- Water resistance: 10 bar (100 meters)
- Crystal: Sapphire with Anti-reflective coating
- Case back: Steel with sapphire crystal
- Strap/bracelet: Integrated steel bracelet or green rubber strap with steel push button folding clasp.
