Bell & Ross cites motorsports as the design inspiration behind the new BR-X5 Racing, although we confess the name clued us in before seeing the press release. As you can conclude from the visual evidence, the keywords here are performance, durability, readability and lightness. These are the very words the brand literally used, and we have to say that the BR-X5 could be a code that unifies all four words. Cleverly, the Racing watch is also a racer’s take on the pilot’s watch, thus unifying two of Bell & Ross’ muses. Basically, this is a fast watch that wants to go fast, and it looks like it has what it takes to achieve liftoff from your wrist. Ok, lyricism aside, let us address the nuts and bolts here – like the BR-X5 that debuted a couple of years ago this is a time-only ticker with date and power reserve indicator.
There are clear differences between the standard model and this Racing one, chiefly in materials and typography. Arabic numerals dominate the dial, with the hours intruding further into the centre. First looks might have you somewhat concerned about legibility but Bell & Ross has you covered with its dashboard-like dial. The brand works shapes and colours hard to spell functions out clearly, while also exposing the motionworks with what the brand calls “glass,” though it is not clear what sort. For enhanced readability, even in the dark, the hour markers and hands are coated with white Super-LumiNova® X1 material, which emits a green glow.
This leads directly into a discussion about materials, which for the X5 Racing is primarily titanium. The carbon fibre bit that will certainly have caught your attention is a plate of woven carbon integrated into the case. It all lends the watch a sense of lightness and strength, which is only appropriate given
all the motorsports talk. The design also prioritises functionality while emphasising “simplicity, radicality, lightness, and resistance.” From the side, the multi-part case construction showcases that there is more complexity here.
Four micro-blasted titanium screws hold the case’s “sandwich” structure together. Two grade 2 micro-blasted titanium plates frame a black PVD titanium monobloc that houses the movement and integrates the chronograph-pusheresque crown guards. The strap (titanium or rubber) is of the integrated look and connects to the case via what the brand calls “plates”; ergonomics is reportedly superior but we have not seen the watch in the metal yet to confirm this. One thing that is certain is that the movement here is the same Kenissi-built manufacture BR-CAL.323, even if the appearance of the power reserve might give you pause for thought (as it did us). The BR-X5 is limited to 500 pieces worldwide.
Movement: Automatic BR-CAL.323 with date and power reserve indicator; 70-hour power reserve (approx.)
Case: 41mm in titanium; water-resistant to 100m
Strap: Bracelet or rubber
Price: From SGD 15,100
This article first appeared on WOW’s Autumn Issue #74
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