Bell & Ross BR 03 Gyrocompass

Bell & Ross keep keenly incorporating the designs of dashboard instruments into wristwatches, inspired by compasses, altimeters, radars, turn coordinators, that resulted in unique timepieces like the BR 01 Red Radar, BR 01-96 Altimeter, BR-01 Horizon, and BR 01-92 Airspeed, among others. Many of these watches from the Flight Instruments series have been polarizing in terms of practicality versus novelty. Either way they each accomplish their mission. As now arrives the new “Bell & Ross BR 03 Gyrocompass” with an eye-fetching dial, set for flight, as the  latest edition to the collection.The square 41mm case is made of black micro-blasted ceramic with 10.60mm in height. Mounted to the case is a fixed bezel with four exposed blackened screw tops to blend with its surroundings. Worth noting this is also the recently updated case with slightly altered measurement to allow for more pronounced bevels and a rounder finish.On the flip-side is a solid caseback that is engraved with technical details. It also follows the exposed screws aesthetics, as seen on the main side.It comes equipped with a setting-crown that features an engraving of the ampersand “&” Bell & Ross logo. All topped by a flat sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating. Water-resistance can reach up to 100 meters (330 feet).Time is exhibited on a matte black dial with a navigation compass and cardinal points, which might not sound like the best way to tell time, so let’s break this down. 
This dial takes a layered approach with a well spaced out layout that seems very legible, although a bit daunting at first glance. For starters unlike the previous Gyrocompass model (released in 2013) that relied on discs, this updated version has opted for traditional central hands,It is framed by a large inner flange circling around the periphery with a white printed minute track with Arabic numerals for every 5-minute increment, plus green colored triangular indices that align with the four navigation markers: N (North), E (East), W (West), and S (South), which spell “news” (hence the origin of that informative medium). The date aperture still appears between the 4 and 5 o’clock position.But, the main novel attraction comes in the form of an hour hand shaped like a jetfighter colored in yellow and taking up most of the dial space. Meanwhile the minutes and seconds are represented by standard hand in very discreet matte black. Luckily all these elements become more legible when the lights go out by using three distinct Super-LumiNova colors: green for the navigation markers, yellow for the jetfighter plane (hour hand), and blue for the hour indices, plus the arrow-tipped minute hand and slim straight-tipped seconds hand.

Bell & Ross BR 03 Gyrocompass

The “Bell & Ross BR 03 Gyrocompass” (Ref#: BR03A-CPS-CE/SRB) is powered by a self-winding mechanical movement, caliber BR-CAL.302 with 25 jewels and 28,800 Vph. It is based on the SellitaSW300-1 with some custom modification and extended power reserve that can now last up to 54 hours (instead of 38 hours), when fully wound.Mounted to the watch is a black rubber strap, secured by a black PVD-steel pin buckle. It also comes with an additional ultra-resilient black synthetic fabric strap.This is a limited edition of only 999 manufactured pieces. For more up to date information visit the official Bell & Ross website here.

 

Bell & Ross, BellRoss, BR 03, Gyrocompass, Luxury Watches