Bell & Ross BR 03 Gyrocompass
This aviation-inspired watch is a tribute to the world of aeronautics i.e. the DNA of Bell & Ross’ beginnings, and features a fighter plane silhouette at its center, drawing upon the graphic codes used in pilot’s dials. This limited-edition timepiece is part of the BR 03 family, which has been a cornerstone of Bell & Ross collections since 2006. It features the iconic rounded square shape, now reinterpreted in a 41mm case size made from black ceramic, measuring just 10.6mm in thickness, and water-resistant up to 100 meters. By definition, a gyrocompass is a gyroscopic rotor within a navigation compass, which, when configured for the vessel or aircraft’s latitude and speed, provides the orientation toward true north on the Earth’s surface. In this case, the plane will not show you true north, but instead merely adopts the technical design elements found in a pilot’s cockpit. But there’s no real loss here. (Are we really using a gyrocompass on a night in the town anyway?) The watch tells us the main hours, powered by the BR-CAL.302 self-winding movement with a 54-hour power reserve that’s perfect for the weekend. The first BR 03 Gyrocompass was introduced 10 years ago at Baselworld 2013, in the BR 01-92 model. The dial comprised three independent concentric discs, graduated for the hours and minutes. The plane’s silhouette retains its central real estate, but its placement is merely for design. In the new BR 03 Gyrocompass, the plane is ready for takeoff … sort of. No longer just parked in the hangar, the plane’s silhouette serves as the hour hand, while the minutes are indicated by a large white arrow-tipped hand. To enhance visibility in the dark, the BR 03 Gyrocompass features luminescent treatment with green emission for cardinal points and blue emission for time indications. The aircraft silhouette stands out with a unique yellow tint.
