Bell & Ross Unveils BR-X1 Chronograph Tourbillon During 10 Year Anniversary Celebration Of The BR 01 In Paris

Five hundred and fifty guests united with Bell & Ross at the historic military site of The Hotel National des Invalides in Paris last Thursday night to celebrate the watchbrand’s 10th anniversary of their iconic BR 01 and discover their latest models.

Inspired by aviation and the military, the square – shaped iconic Aviation BR 01 pilot watch was launched in 2005 by Bell & Ross CEO Carlos Rosillo and Creative Director Bruno Belamich with the idea of transforming a plane’s cockpit into a wristwatch.

Reputed for being reliable, functional, readable, and precise, the aviation collection developed to encompass a wide range of materials, sizes and functions.

In 2014, the BR – X1 Hypersonic Chronograph introduced design and material innovations for a high-tech chronograph with a sporty design, robust construction and sophisticated haute horlogerie finishes. Today, Bell & Ross have gone one step further, with the new top-of-the-range model from the BR-X1 line: The BR-X1 Chronograph Tourbillon.

Addressing an attentive crowd composed of members of the French and international press, the military, and the aeronautics industry, gathered at the national monument exceptionally privatized for the event, CEO Rosillo was visibly at ease and pleased to present this Skeleton Tourbillon Mono-Pusher Chronograph that combines the robust and sturdy look of the BR-X1 with the highest watchmaking technical refinements of haute horlogerie signed by Bell & Ross.

Guests rushed to the display cases to admire the novelties, which included the limited editions of the superb BR 03-94 Rafale, conceived with Dassault Aviation, in recognition of their star multi-role fighter aircraft: the Rafale. But the star of the show last Thursday night was without a doubt the BR-X1 Chronograph Tourbillon.

Presented in four versions of 20 pieces each, with or without diamonds, this 45 mm timepiece with rocker push-button and thumb-rest insert, bumpers, crown guards, crown and caseback all in 18 ct rose gold or Grade 5 titanium houses BR-CAL.283, a hand-wound mono-pusher chronograph tourbillon movement with 4 days power reserve and function of hours and minutes.

With dials revealed through a grey-tinted sapphire crystal displaying a 30 minutes timer at 10 o’clock, 60 seconds timer at 2 o’clock and power reserve indicator at 9 o’clock, and gilt appliqué or metal indices with Superluminova ® inserts and Superluminova ® – filled hour and minute hands, the watch is completed with a rubber and alligator strap closed by a rose gold or titanium pin buckle.

Creative Director Belamich (Bell) and CEO Rosillo (Ross) have brought this Paris-headquartered company, with manufacture in La Chaux-de-Fonds, a long way in a short time, with a clear objective and unwavering source of inspiration. CEO Rosillo once showed me during an interview the extract from the film “The Right Stuff”, where Chuck Yeager breaks the sound barrier for the first time ever, back in the supersonic days. Bell & Ross have moved into Hypersonic, and beyond.

BR X1 Tourbillon Titane: 137 000€
BR X1 Tourbillon Titane Diamonds: 179 000€
BR X1 Tourbillon Rose Gold: 158 000€
BR X1 Tourbillon Rose Gold Diamonds: 200 000€

Photo Credit: Haute Time. For more information, please visit the official Bell & Ross website. Follow Haute Time on Instagram to catch all of the new releases as they happen.