BR-X1 Tourbillon Instrument de Marine

The constant quest for new universes and new lands to explore, has lead Bell & Ross to pay tribute with this series of three watches. The first marine instruments appeared in the 17th century with the purpose of guiding the vessels that had started to cross the seas and oceans at this time. The timepieces designed for shipboard use, which were key to naval history, have inspired this collection. These three new watches offer a contemporary reinterpretation of those evocative tools that link together tradition and modernity, past and present.

In the design of these new watches, Bell & Ross combines contemporary and retro touches, and the materials play a very important role: The Indian rosewood harks back to the hull and masts of the vessels and to the cases used to house the ship’s instruments at the time. Indian rosewood is a rare timber, of a warm pinkish red in color, with an elegant texture and very fine grain. It does, however, offer very high compressive strength. The cases of the BR 01 Marine and BX1 Skeleton Chronograph are adorned with bronze, an alloy that brings to mind the brass used for the surrounds on the original ship’s clocks. When it comes into contact with air and moisture, this material takes on a brown or greyish-green patina. With no two-oxidation processes alike, these watches are transformed into unique pieces.