2023-09-28 13:47:59
Published
September 28, 2023
Bell & Ross, creator of instrument watches, adapts the most emblematic dial of an airplane cockpit with the new BR 03 Gyrocompass. A very evocative timepiece for lovers of aeronautics.
The silhouette of the fighter plane in the center of the black dial leaves no room for doubt. With the new limited edition BR 03 Gyrocompass, Bell & Ross pays homage to one of its favorite worlds: aeronautics. The appearance of the watch is faithful to the technical design of the pilot’s dial at the controls of an aircraft, using the graphic codes of what professionals call the heading indicator. This guidance element on the dashboard is essential: at a single glance, the representation of an airplane in the sky indicates to the pilot its direction of travel, allowing the position to be realigned on a magnetic compass if necessary. By getting closer to the sensation on board a cockpit, Bell & Ross stays the course.
The BR 03 family is a central pillar of the Bell & Ross collections. Since its launch in 2006, the concept has illustrated the watchmaking company’s ability to reinterpret the indicators on an airplane dashboard on the wrist. Reinvented this year in new proportions, the emblematic rounded square shape of the BR 03 range is now offered in a 41 mm case. Also available in this new size, the BR 03 Gyrocompass has a black ceramic case with a thickness of only 10.6 mm and water resistance to 100 meters. Completing the iconic Flight Instruments collection launched in 2010, the strong personality of the watch demonstrates its full functionality, elegantly transposing an aeronautical navigation tool into a watchmaking design. With a robust finish inspired by aeronautical equipment, the black rubber strap closes with a steel pin buckle with black PVD coating, emphasizing the professional dimension of the watch in a limited series of 999 pieces.
Better readability day and night
The new screen BR 03 Gyrocompas has been designed to offer perfect practical readability in all circumstances, day and night. The silhouette of the fighter plane attracts attention. The tip of the aircraft’s nose aligns with the index markers so the wearer can tell the time accurately. This is a solution first explored by Bell & Ross in 2013. By outsourcing the digital inscriptions on the flange, reading the time becomes child’s play. Alongside the hour hand, the large minute hand benefits from a generous white arrow evoking a pointer. Fine and ultra precise, the central second hand creates an interesting kinetic visual effect thanks to its large counterweight which constantly animates the dial, like a plane in flight. Discreet but effective, the date is displayed in a round aperture placed between 4 and 5 o’clock, making it easy to find when needed, without disrupting instant reading of the time in the heat of the moment.
To ensure its functionality in the dark, the watch benefits from a sophisticated luminescent treatment: the cardinal points and their triangular indexes are covered with Super-LumiNova® with a green emission color, while the time indications are highlighted by an immediately recognizable blue emission. As for the silhouette of the plane, it is still distinguished by a unique yellow shade with green emissions.
A celebration of mechanical excellence
Beyond the power of the display, the watch pays homage to the complex mechanics of the aeronautical gyrocompass. For pilots, it is crucial to know their precise position. It is for this reason that engineers developed the Gyrocompass, a visually simple but technically complex system, with a mechanism that transfers the position of the aircraft in flight into a vertical graphical representation on the dial. There BR 03 Gyrocompass is not equipped with a gyrocompass, but with a watch movement with proven reliability: the automatic caliber BR-CAL.302. It beats at a frequency of 28,800 vph (4Hz) and has a power reserve of 54 hours. It is the ideal watch for professional use, in flight or on land.
Original and fun, the BR 03 Gyrocompass completes the collection of concept watches directly linked to instruments. With its unique display, the BR 03 is aimed at design and aviation enthusiasts.
Technical sheet
BR 03 Gyrocompas Bell & Ross
BR03A-CPS-CE/SRB – Limited edition of 999 copies
Movement : caliber BR-CAL.302. Automatic winding mechanism. Functions : hours, minutes, seconds and date. Housing : 41 mm wide. 10.60mm thick. Matte black ceramic. Dial : black. Cardinal points and triangular indexes coated with green Super-LumiNova®. Black flange with white coated timer. Glace : sapphire with anti-reflective treatment. Waterproofing : 100 meters. Bracelet : black rubber and ultra-resistant black synthetic fabric. Loop : with barb. Steel with black PVD (Physical Vapor Deposition) finish.
André Tirlet
1695913805
#Gyrocompass #Bell #Ross #aeronautics #lovers